Shawn Mendes dedicated the unreleased track ‘Heart Of Gold’ to the late One Direction singer Liam Payne last night.
- READ MORE: Liam Payne 1993-2024: One Direction star who helped spark a pop phenomenon
Payne died at the age of 31 on Wednesday (October 16) after a fatal fall from a third-floor balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Per The Guardian, the Argentinian prosecutor’s office revealed that Payne’s death was caused by multiple traumas and internal and external bleeding.
Figures across pop music have been paying tribute to the former One Direction member since the news broke, with Mendes the latest to comment on Payne’s untimely death.
During a performance at Brooklyn Paramount Theater in New York last night (October 18), Mendes gave a brief speech about Payne, who he said he met “a couple of times”.
“He was a beautiful soul and his eyes gleamed. It was beauty shining through his eyes,” he continued. “It’s about grieving those we miss with tears and it’s also about celebrating them and who they were and what they left in this world.
“I just want to take a second to send so much love to him wherever he is up there. Liam, we love you. The world is crying for you, brother, and we’re all praying for your son and your family. I miss you.”
Mendes then went on to dedicate an unreleased track titled ‘Heart of Gold’ to Payne, saying: “This one’s for you tonight, Liam, from all of us.” In the chorus, he sings: “You had a heart of gold/You left too soon/It was out of your control/Underneath your skin and bone/You had a heart of gold.”
Shawn Mendes talking about Liam and dedicating him “Heart Of Gold” pic.twitter.com/0ogiB6SXEX
— HSNews (@HS_News_) October 19, 2024
Mendes joins Robbie Williams, Rita Ora, Liam Gallagher, Victoria Canal and more in paying tribute to Payne.
Yesterday Cheryl, Payne’s ex-partner and mother to his 7-year-old son Bear, spoke out about the “indescribably painful” loss and urged people to “give Liam the little dignity he has left”.
Meanwhile, One Direction’s surviving members – Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Harry Styles – issued a combined statement in which they said that they would need time “to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”
Payne’s family shared that they are “heartbroken” over his death. “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time,” they said.
Kate Cassidy, Payne’s girlfriend at the time of his death, also spoke out yesterday, saying: “I have been at a complete loss. Nothing about the past few days have felt real. I ask and pray that you’ll give me the grace and space to navigate this in private.”
Simon Cowell, who signed One Direction to his Syco label after their run on The X Factor in 2010, also wrote a tribute in which he said he “feels empty” and “heartbroken” by his death, and reflected on meeting Payne when he first auditioned for the show at the age of 14.
Meanwhile, Sharon Osbourne – who was also a judge on The X Factor, although not on the 2010 season – accused the music industry of “letting down” Liam Payne following his death.
“Liam, my heart aches,” she said. “We all let you down. Where was this industry when you needed them? You were just a kid when you entered one of the toughest industries in the world. Who was in your corner? Rest in peace my friend.”
It followed comments from Katie Waissel, who competed alongside One Direction on the talent show, calling for more “care and support for young artists”. Similarly, Rebecca Ferguson, who finished in second place in the same season of the show, paid tribute to Payne while also speaking out against the “exploitation and profiteering of young stars.”
