FollowingLiam Payne‘sdeathat age 31 this week, loved ones in the music industry are continuing to pay tribute online and onstage.
On Friday,Shawn Mendeshalted hisFor Friends and Family Onlyconcert in Brooklyn to honor the lateOne Directionmember with some heartfelt words and perform a song in his memory.
“When I heard the news about Liam, I felt completely devastated,” said Mendes in avideofrom the show. “I got to meet Liam a couple times, and he was a beautiful soul. His eyes gleamed, there was beauty shining through his eyes.”
Related Stories
He continued, “It’s about grieving those we miss with tears, and it’s also about celebrating them, who they were and what they’ve left in this world. I just want to take a second to send so much love to him, wherever he is up there. We love you, and the world is crying for you, brother. And we’re all praying for your son and your family. We miss you, man.”
Watch on Deadline
“So, this one’s for you tonight, Liam, from all of us,” said Mendes before performing his new song ‘Heart of Gold’ from his upcoming fifth studio albumShawn,dropping Nov. 15.
Paynedied at age 31on Wednesday when he fell from the third-floor balcony of his Buenos Aires, Argentina hotel room. According to a preliminary autopsy report, hiscause of deathwas ruled “multiple trauma” and “internal and external hemorrhage.”
La Naciónreported that Hotel Casa Sur staff called police before the incident to report “an aggressive man that could’ve been under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
Born Aug. 29, 1993 in Wolverhampton, England, Payne competed onThe X Factorin 2010, when he formed One Direction with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik. The group released five albums and became a global sensation, winning seven Brit Awards and selling more than 70 million albums worldwide.
After One Direction went their separate ways, Payne released his lone solo albumLP1in 2019.