Niall Horan has spoken publicly about the death of his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne, sharing memories of their final time together and describing how he is processing the loss. In an interview with The Times of London, Horan said he saw Payne in Argentina only a few weeks before the singer died in 2024 at the age of 31 after falling three floors from a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Horan said the news was difficult to accept at first and that his initial reaction was disbelief.
Horan said he was relieved that his last memory of Payne was a happy one. He described their friendship as lasting even when they were not in constant contact, saying the bond between them remained strong over the years. The singer said the suddenness of Payne’s death still feels unreal to him and noted how quickly everything changed.
He also said that the families of the former One Direction members have stayed in touch in the aftermath of Payne’s death as they continue dealing with the grief. Horan described his feelings as a mix of sadness and warmth, saying memories of Payne sometimes make him laugh or smile. He recalled shared moments from their time together, including fun experiences in Australia, where the group would go to the beach. Horan joked that Payne was not bad at surfing, while he himself could barely swim.
The loss has also influenced Horan’s upcoming music. His new solo album, “Dinner Party,” is scheduled for release on June 5 and includes a tribute song to Payne titled “End of an Era.” Horan said the track reflects the kind of music Payne enjoyed, pointing to his taste for emotional, melodic songs such as Coldplay and One Direction’s “You & I.” He suggested Payne would have appreciated a song that builds and “goes somewhere.”
Horan’s comments add to the ongoing public reflection on Payne’s death and the impact it has had on those closest to him. The singer’s remarks highlight both the shock of the loss and the lasting emotional connection he still feels to his former bandmate.
