Rita Ora fought back tears as she paid tribute to Liam Payne on-stage.
The singer, who collaborated with Liam in 2018 on the song For You, was performing in Japan just hours after Liam’s death was announced.
As she attempted to sing the tune they had once sung together, she appeared visibly emotional, bowing her head before turning her back to the audience and looking up at the ceiling.
She then sat down, telling the crowd, “I can’t even sing this right now – can you do it for me?” She then covered her face with her hands.
Behind her, a screen showed a black and white photo of her with Liam in the studio together. As the crowd sang the chorus of the song, a visibly upset Rita mouthed, “I’m sorry” before walking off stage.
Later the Poison singer posted several photos on social media of the pair working in the studio and performing on stage together.
“I’m devastated,” the 33-year-old wrote. “He had the kindest soul, I will never forget. I loved working with him so much – he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage. This tragic news breaks my heart.”
Former One Direction star Liam died on Wednesday after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31 years old.
