Zayn Malik has postponed his U.S. tour — which was scheduled to begin next week — following the death of his former One Direction band mate Liam Payne.
“Given the heartbreaking loss experienced this week, I’ve made the decision to postpone the US leg of the Stairway to the Sky Tour,” Malik wrote on social media Saturday, days after he and his fellow One Direction members mourned Payne’s death at the age of 31.
“The dates will be rescheduled for January and I’ll post them as soon as it’s all set in the next few days. Your tickets will remain valid for the new dates.”
The singer added, “Love you all and thank you for understanding.”
Malik’s first solo tour, in support of his latest album Room Under the Stars, was set to begin October 23 in San Francisco before traveling to Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. and New York City. The European leg is still scheduled to kick off on November 20 in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Following Payne’s death Wednesday from injuries sustained after falling from a Buenos Aires hotel balcony, Malik — as well as his former 1D band mates — remembered the singer in lengthy statements.
“Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there were so many more conversations for us to have in our lives,” Malik wrote. “I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17-year-old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.
“Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no fucks about telling people when they were wrong,” Malik added. “Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it.”
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Malik continued by remembering Payne’s professionalism when they were placed in One Direction, and how he was the “most qualified in every sense” to be in the group. “I was always happy to know, no matter what happened on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next,” he said.
“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what l’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 added. “I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever.”
