After their fellow One Direction alum Liam Payne died at age 31 in October, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson are reevaluating their bond.
“[Liam’s death] was a wake-up call for all of them. Prior, they kept in touch sporadically but didn’t have close friendships at all,” a source shares in the latest issue of Us Weekly, noting that the former bandmates have since pledged to mend their relationships.
“They’re all still mourning but are checking in on each other and feel closer than they have in years,” the insider adds. “It brought them back together.”
Styles, 30, Tomlinson, 32, and Malik and Horan, both 31, reunited at Payne’s private funeral in Amersham, England, last month. The somber occasion marked the first time the four remaining band members have been together since Malik left One Direction in 2015. The band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016.
Despite their past creative differences — Malik said during a 2016 interview with radio station Beats 1 that he “never really wanted to be there” during his One Direction tenure — the foursome came together to release a joint statement the day after Payne’s death.
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,” they wrote. “But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”
According to the source, all five One Direction members were “in talks to do one last reunion show” before Payne’s death. While that is now on hold, it’s still on the table.
“The guys would love to do a tribute to Liam. They’re all so devastated right now they can’t even think about that as a legitimate project, but it has been discussed,” the insider says. “Liam’s death has caused the guys immense heartbreak.”
Payne died on October 16 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A preliminary autopsy showed that he “may have fallen in a state of semi or total unconsciousness” as the position in which his body was found and his injuries suggested that he “did not adopt a reflexive posture to protect himself” during the fall.
Payne suffered “serious injuries” that were “incompatible with life” as a result of the fall, Buenos Aires emergency services chief Alberto Crescenti said.
From the moment One Direction was formed, Liam Payne found himself with four additional brothers for life. Thanks to the creative minds of The X Factor UK judges Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Payne came together in 2010 to create a life-changing boy band. […]
A partial autopsy showed that Payne had “pink cocaine” — a recreational drug that is typically a mix of ketamine, MDMA and methamphetamine — in his system when he died, along with cocaine, benzodiazepine and crack.
In addition to their joint statement, the remaining members of One Direction each shared personal tributes to Payne after his death.
“I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye,” Tomlinson wrote via Instagram. “I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.”
Styles shared that he was “truly devastated by Liam’s passing,” noting that the late singer’s “greatest joy was making other people happy.”
Horan, who saw Payne weeks before his death at Horan’s Buenos Aires concert, noted that he felt “so fortunate” that they’d recently connected.
“I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking,” Horan added. “Thank you for everything, Payno. Love you brother.”
Malik, meanwhile, who had his ups and downs with Payne over the years, penned a heartfelt Instagram post, calling Payne the “most qualified” member of the group “in every sense.”
Liam Payne left a mark on his former One Direction bandmates and backing musicians alike ahead of his death at age 31. “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,” the remaining members of the original group, Harry Styles, Niall […]
“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly,” Malik continued. “I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you bro.”
Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son Bear, whom he shares with ex Cheryl Cole. He was dating influencer Kate Cassidy at the time of his death. Cassidy, 25, also attended Payne’s funeral and called the late musician her “angel” in an October tribute.
“You are everything,” she wrote via Instagram at the time. “I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. I love you Liam.”
For more on the One Direction alums, watch the video above and pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly, on newsstands now.
