Louis Tomlinson Slams Criticism of Liam Payne Before His Death

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Louis Tomlinson believes One Direction wouldn’t have achieved such incredible success without Liam Payne.

Almost a year after the death of his bandmate at age 31, the singer of “Lemonade” spoke about the criticism Payne had faced in the months before the tragedy.

Those who knew Liam personally would agree that the criticism he received was unfair, Louis Tomlinson told *Rolling Stone UK* in an upcoming interview. Tomlinson emphasized that any mistakes Liam made—and everyone makes them—were never intentional or malicious.

In the months before his death after falling from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Liam Payne faced criticism from fans of his band. He had received backlash for comments he made in a 2022 podcast interview, *Impaulsive*, about his former bandmates – Niall Horan, Harry Styles, and Zayn Malik – and later publicly apologized.

Tomlinson explained that the issues stemmed from a simple inability to communicate effectively. He believes the public largely misunderstood him as a result.

According to the 33-year-old, people often misjudge him, but usually it comes down to a simple desire to be well-liked. That’s what motivated his actions most of the time.

Louis Tomlinson has been coping with immense grief. He confirmed his relationship with Zara McDermott in April, but the past year has been incredibly hard since the loss of a friend. This pain comes after previously losing both his mother, Johannah Deakin, and sister, Felicite Tomlinson, within three years in the late 2010s.

I mistakenly believed my experience with loss would help me cope, Tomlinson said. “That was really naive. It’s completely different – I’d never lost a friend before.”

Just a day after his friend’s death was announced last year, Tomlinson shared similar sentiments with an old photo of them together from when they were in a boy band. He also defended his friend against the criticism he received in his last few months.

I’m heartbroken to share that I lost my brother yesterday,” Tomlinson wrote. “Liam was, in my opinion, the most important member of One Direction. From a young age, he had incredible experience, perfect pitch, a captivating stage presence, and a talent for songwriting – the list could go on and on. Thank you, Liam, for everything you did for us.

He added, “I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.”

For more stars who paid tribute to Payne, keep reading…

The band shared on Instagram that they are heartbroken by the death of Liam. They said they need time to mourn and will share more thoughts later, when they are able. They described him as a beloved brother.

Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles all spoke about how much Liam meant to them and how he influenced their lives.

We will always cherish our memories of him. Right now, we’re thinking of his family, friends, and everyone who loved him as much as we did. We’re heartbroken by his loss and will miss him dearly. We love you, Liam.

Niall shared a heartfelt message on Instagram, expressing his deep sadness over the loss of his friend, Liam. He described Liam as someone with incredible energy, a love for his work, and a way of brightening up any room. Niall said Liam always made people feel happy and safe, and that his death feels surreal.

The “Slow Hands” singer continued to reminisce on his time singing alongside Liam in One Direction. 

Even though I’m incredibly sad, I keep remembering all the fun we had together, often over little things,” Niall shared. “We achieved so much together, living out our biggest dreams, and I’ll always treasure those moments. A friendship like ours is truly rare and special.

Niall recently had Liam and his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, at his concert in Buenos Aires. He also shared his memories of seeing his friend one last time.

Niall shared that he recently had the chance to see his friend, and he’s deeply saddened by the news of his passing. He didn’t realize that their last hug would be their final goodbye, and he’s heartbroken. He sends his love and sympathy to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola, and especially to his son, Bear. He finished with a heartfelt thank you and expression of love for his friend, affectionately calling him ‘Payno’.

Harry shared on Instagram that he was heartbroken by the loss of Liam. He described Liam as someone who found the most joy in bringing happiness to others, and said it was a privilege to know him.

Liam was a truly open and passionate person, and his zest for life was contagious. He was warm, supportive, and deeply loving. I will always treasure the time we shared, and I’ll miss my dear friend terribly.

Liam’s former One Direction bandmate reflected on all he wished he could have said to him. 

Zayn shared on Instagram that he wished they’d had more time to talk. He explained he never had the chance to properly thank the person for their support during tough times. He fondly remembered how, when he was a homesick 17-year-old, they always offered encouragement and reminded him he was loved and had a friend in them.

Even though you were younger, you always seemed wiser and more level-headed than I was. You were strong-willed, had your own opinions, and weren’t afraid to tell people when you thought they were wrong. We disagreed sometimes because of that, but I always admired you for it.

Zayn also called Liam “the most qualified” musician in the band “in every sense.”

Losing you felt like losing a brother, and honestly, I can’t even begin to express how much I’d give for just one last hug – a proper goodbye where I could tell you how deeply I loved and respected you. I’ll hold onto every single memory we made together, always. There really aren’t words to describe how utterly heartbroken I am right now.

Louis posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, remembering Liam and their friendship.

I’m heartbroken to share that I lost my brother, Liam, yesterday,” Louis wrote. “Liam was someone I truly admired – he was so positive, funny, and kind. I met him when I was 18 and he was 16, and I was immediately struck by his voice. But as I got to know him, I realized he was the brother I’d always wanted.

Louis Tomlinson, known for his song “Back To You,” also mentioned how much Liam contributed to One Direction’s success, as they frequently wrote songs together.

He described Liam as an exceptionally talented songwriter with a natural gift for melody. They had often discussed collaborating again to recapture the creative spark they shared during their time in the band. He also stated that, in his opinion, Liam was the most essential member of One Direction, highlighting Liam’s early experience, perfect pitch, captivating stage presence, and songwriting ability, saying, ‘The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us, Liam.’

Liam’s family—including his parents, Karen and Geoff, and sisters Ruth and Nicola—shared with the BBC that they are devastated by his passing. They will always cherish his memory, remembering him as a kind, funny, and courageous person. The family is leaning on each other for support during this incredibly difficult time and asks for privacy.

Liam’s girlfriend, who was traveling with the singer when he died and had returned home to Argentina shortly before his death, said she’s been devastated by the news.

Kate shared on Instagram that the last few days haven’t felt real. She asked for privacy and understanding as she processes everything.

The influencer described Liam as an “angel” and shared a heartfelt message, saying she loved him completely and unconditionally, and that her love would last forever.

Cheryl, who has a son named Bear with the deceased, described her ex’s death as devastating and asked for understanding and compassion during this incredibly difficult time.

As a huge fan, it just breaks my heart to think about everything. She shared such a raw and important message on Instagram on October 18th – it wasn’t just about losing a famous singer, but a real person. Liam was someone’s son, brother, uncle, a friend to so many, and most importantly, a dad. It’s devastating to think about his 7-year-old son having to grow up without his father. It really puts everything into perspective.

She pleaded for Liam to be remembered with respect, hoping he could finally find peace after his passing.

The *X Factor* judge shared on Instagram on October 18th that he was completely heartbroken and felt lost. He wrote that he has immense love and respect for someone, and that every tear he’s cried is a reminder of them.

Simon described Liam, and the other members of One Direction whom he mentored, as “kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, and focused.” He added that he’d always seen the five of them as brothers.

He continued, saying to Liam, “I can clearly see how much of an impact you had on everyone. It’s so sad you were taken from us so young. Rest peacefully, my friend.”

Ed shared on Instagram on October 17th that he was deeply saddened by the news. He wrote that he was thinking of the person’s family and friends, cherishing all of his positive memories with them, and called for kindness during this difficult time.

The Little Mix singer shared the heartbreaking news of Liam’s death on Instagram on October 17th, expressing deep sympathy for his family, friends, and everyone who knew and loved him.

Jade, who appeared on *The X Factor UK* with Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and Jesy Nelson in 2011 as part of the group Little Mix, also reminisced about starting out in the music industry with Liam.

Jade continued, explaining that they’d lost contact over time. However, she fondly remembered meeting him back in 2008, when they were both newcomers to the industry, young and full of dreams. She finished by saying she hoped he’d found peace.

The Little Mix member reshared Louis Tomlinson’s post about Liam, adding a message of her own. 

She shared her immense sadness, describing him as consistently kind and down-to-earth whenever they met. She fondly remembered seeing One Direction perform and being immediately captivated by Liam’s natural stage presence. She expressed her shock and grief at his passing, and sent her heartfelt sympathy to his family and loved ones.

The former Fifth Harmony member, who made music with Liam in 2018, expressed gratitude to the late singer for “all the joy you brought my friends and me.”

Meeting someone I admired from a band I loved, and having him be so kind, was a really special experience when I was younger,” she shared on Instagram. “It’s heartbreaking that he’s passed away so soon.

The former *X Factor U.S.* contestant said that Liam Payne and the band One Direction were a big influence on Fifth Harmony, the group she was in with Camila Cabello, Normani, Dinah Jane, and Lauren Jauregui.

I’m absolutely heartbroken. Liam was just such a bright, incredible person. I feel so lucky to have so many amazing memories with him – those will stay with me forever. I’m truly grateful for every moment I got to share with him. It’s hard to believe, but One Direction brought us all together, and I’ll cherish that always. We all love you so much, Liam.

The DJ shared a heartfelt message on Instagram on October 17th, saying he was deeply saddened by the loss of a close friend. He wrote that it was hard to express his feelings and that he couldn’t believe his friend was gone. They had shared many wonderful memories together, both on and off stage, and he remembered him as a kind, legendary person with a golden heart. He ended by saying he would miss his friend dearly.

The band expressed their sadness over the passing of Liam Payne, sharing their condolences with his family, friends, and fans on Instagram.

Justin Timberlake, formerly of *NSYNC, posted a heartfelt message on Instagram remembering Liam, with whom he recently worked on the song “Teardrops.” He wrote, “I will miss you my friend—my heart is with your family.”

Luke Hemmings, Michael Clifford, Ashton Irwin, and Calum Hood announced on social media on October 18th that they were deeply saddened.

They continued, sharing their love for Liam and expressing how much his impact would always be remembered. They were deeply thankful for his unwavering belief in them.

The boy band said it was a privilege to start their career with Liam, and they praised his kindness.

I’ll never forget the incredible spark he had – we all saw it, always. It breaks my heart that the world could dim such a bright light. I really hope he’s up there somewhere, still singing his heart out.

The influencer, who dated Liam briefly in 2022, shared her condolences in an Instagram Story. 

“I’m sorry this happened to you, will forever love and miss you,” Aliana wrote. “Rest in paradise.”

The singer, who collaborated with Liam on the song “For You,” shared on X (formerly Twitter) on October 17th that they were heartbroken by the news. They described him as a genuinely kind person who was a joy to work with, both professionally and personally. They expressed their deepest sympathy to his family and friends, saying the tragic news had broken their heart and that their song “For You” now holds a new, deeper meaning. They ended with a message of rest in peace.

The former host of *The Late Late Show*, a longtime friend and fan of the British boy band, shared a message on Instagram.

It’s incredibly painful to speak about Liam as if he’s gone. He was a genuinely kind and loving person, and I’ll always cherish the time we shared. I’m thinking of his family right now.

As someone who keeps a close eye on what’s happening with the celebrities I cover, I noticed Harry Styles’ sister recently shared a message from One Direction on her Instagram. She added a really touching personal note, saying her heart goes out to Liam’s family and everyone who’s grieving – it was a beautiful way to show support during a difficult time.

Gary Barlow, the singer from Take That who once guided One Direction on *The X Factor*, wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram on October 18th following Liam’s death.

Robbie wrote, “What a handsome, talented young man.” He added that this was a heartbreaking loss not only for those who knew him – his friends and family – but also for his fans and, judging by the outpouring of emotion, for people all over the world.

The members of the boy band – Nick Carter, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, Kevin Richardson, and Howie Dorough – expressed their sympathy.

It’s hard to put into words how we’re all feeling right now, and it seems like many others feel the same way,” the statement on X, formerly Twitter, read. “We’re sending our deepest sympathies to Liam’s family, friends, and fans everywhere. Rest in peace.

The Backstreet Boys singer, who will be a judge on the new Netflix show ‘Building the Band’ with Liam, shared a statement saying he’s deeply saddened by this loss and feels immense pain for the person affected.

I truly connected with him right away – we spent hours swapping stories, sharing laughs, and really opening up about life. It’s just so incredibly sad to lose someone so vibrant. Being around him at work each day was a genuine joy; he just had this amazing energy and was a wonderful person. I’ll miss him terribly.

AJ shared a heartfelt message, saying he couldn’t believe the loss and encouraged the person to continue shining and singing, even in memory. He offered his deepest sympathy to their family, friends, and fellow musicians, finishing with a loving message.

The singer of “See You Again” shared on Instagram that Liam was “always very kind to him.”

Charlie, who collaborated with former One Direction member Liam Payne on the 2017 song “Bedroom Floor,” shared, “I can’t believe he’s gone.” He described Liam as one of the first significant artists he had the opportunity to work with.

 

“I’m absolutely heartbroken,” the *X Factor* runner-up shared on Instagram. “We always enjoyed being around each other, even if it was just a quick chat. We’d usually end up joking about how amazing his hair always was, or reminiscing about our shared love for Becks, our time on *The X Factor*, and the tour we did together.”

As someone who’s seen a lot of creative souls, hearing about Liam’s passing really struck me. We shared similar drives and aspirations, so to lose him so young is incredibly painful. My heart goes out to his family, and especially to his son, Bear, who’s lost his dad. Sending all my love and thoughts to them during this difficult time. Rest in peace, Liam.

The “Without Me” singer shared a lengthy Tumblr post to commemorate the late One Direction member. 

I was a huge One Direction fan growing up, and it’s really painful to grieve someone you admired so much, especially when you later connected with them as a colleague. I realize people evolve, and grief can be confusing when it’s about the feelings someone evoked, rather than the person themselves. I see a lot of you are going through that now, and I completely understand.

And Halsey finished by sharing a fond memory of Liam. 

She explained that she bought a house from Liam a few years ago, and while there were rumors it was haunted, he convinced her it wasn’t. She believes ghosts aren’t tied to places, but rather follow us based on our inner selves. As a parent, artist, and admirer of his work, she’s deeply saddened by his sudden passing and sends her condolences to his family, friends, and fans.

The *Vampire Diaries* actor shared on Instagram that they were heartbroken by the death of their friend, Liam, calling it a terrible tragedy and saying he was too young to die.

The rapper, known for his work on Liam’s popular song “Strip That Down,” posted a message on Instagram on October 16th saying, “Rest in Paradise.”

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2025-10-07 21:49