Charlie Puth, Camila Cabello and More Stars React to Liam Payne's 'Heartbreaking' Death: 'Can't Believe This Is Real'

Mar. 15, 2025

Liam Payne on November 28, 2016 in London, England.Photo:Mike Marsland/WireImage

Mike Marsland/WireImage

Tributes toLiam Payneare pouring in following the news of the performer’s death at 31.

The day after his death, the official One Direction Instagram account released ajoint statement on Instagram, which shared thatHarry Styles,Zayn Malik,Louis TomlinsonandNiall Horanare processing “the loss of [their] brother.” Additionally, Styles, 30, Malik, 32, and Tomlinson, 31, releasedindividualstatementsshortly after.

Along with his former bandmates, several other music industry figures mourned Payne’s tragic death, includingRita Ora,HalseyandCharlie Puth.

Puth expressed his condolences on Instagram. “I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone…,” he wrote in his first Instagram Story. Puth, 32, also shared a video of the two laughing with each other, and added the text “I’m so upset right now, may he rest in peace.”

In another Instagram Story, he included a screenshot of Payne discussing how Puth wrote a song with him. Below the photo, Puth wrote, “I am so sorry.” Puth also added anInstagrampost of the pair with no caption.

Payne’s “Get Low” collaboratorZeddmourned the singer onX(formerly known as Twitter). “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking," he wrote.

Ty Dolla $ignadded a photo of Payne to his Instagram Stories, and wrote: “Just talked to you 2 days ago my guy. Ima miss u fr fr sucio💔💔.”

Juicy J wrote onX: “R.I.P. Liam Payne wow I can’t believe it  prayers up for the family 🙏🏿.”

“RIP to Liam Payne,,, much too young 🙏🏾,” Flavor Flav said onX.

SingerCamila Cabelloposted on her Instagram Stories, “Thank you Liam for all the joy you brought my friends and i. it really made an impression on me as a young girl to meet a member of a group i loved and have him be so kind. it’s a tragedy to have him gone way too soon.”

DJSteve Aokiposted a message toXwith several photos alongside Payne. “I’ll miss u dear friend. It’s so difficult to write this out. Doesn’t make sense, I can’t believe you’re gone brother,” wrote Aoki, 46. “We had so many amazing memories together on and off the stage. A true legend and a kinder soul with a heart of gold. Miss u my brother.”

Liam Payne on January 21, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.Samir Hussein/Getty

Samir Hussein/Getty

Boy bands*NSYNCand theBackstreet Boysboth expressed their condolences.

“Words can not express the emotions we are collectively feeling right now, and it seems like the rest of the world is in the same boat. Our hearts go out to Liam’s family, friends, and Directioners around the world. Rest in peace brother,” read the Backstreet BoysXpost.

Backstreet Boys memberAJ McLeanalso made a separate Instagram post. “Words cannot begin to express the pain I have for this man and the great loss we have endured! We became very close almost immediately and shared so many stories , laughs, and life experiences,” McLean, 46, wrote.

“Gone too soon my friend. You were such a light an incredible person to be in the presence of daily while we worked together! I cannot believe you are gone. Keep shining and keep singing for us all to hear. My deepest condolences to your family , loved ones, and your bandmates. Love you bro! 😢.”

NSYNC posted to the official Instagram account’s Stories: “WE ARE DEEPLY SADDENED BY THE LOSS OF LIAM PAYNE. OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND FANS DURING THIS DIFFICULT TIME. SENDING OUR LOVE, JC, JOEY, LANCE, CHRIS & JUSTIN.”

NSYNC memberJC Chasezalso added an Instagram Story. “I will miss you, my friend💧. My heart is with your family,” Chasez, 48, wrote on top of a photo of Payne smiling. Chasez and Payne co-wrote on Payne’s last single, “Teardrops.”

Along with sharing One Direction’s statement on his Instagram Stories with a red heart emoji,Ed Sheeran, who co-wrote Payne’s debut solo single “Strip That Down,” wrote onInstagram, “At a loss for words. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones, every memory I have with him is a great one, just such a heartbreaking situation. Be kind. X.”

Liam Payne at London’s O2 Arena.Isabel Infantes/PA Images via Getty

Isabel Infantes/PA Images via Getty

“Such a kind generous person & will be missed in so many ways 💔,“David Beckhamadded on his Instagram Stories alongside a photo of the pair.

Kelly Osbourneposted a photo of Payne to her Instagram Stories and wrote, “Going through our last text conversations and just so ❤️.”

James Cordenhonored the late musician with anInstagrampost of Payne and a heartfelt caption. “Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heartbreaking. He was such a loving and kind soul,” Corden, 46, wrote. “I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x.”

Liam Payne in London in January 2018.Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty

Chris J Ratcliffe/Getty

E.L. James, the author of theFifty Shades of Greybook series, mourned the late singer onX. (Payne collaborated withRita Oraon the franchise’sthird installment,Fifty Shades of Freedsoundtrack in 2018.) “I am heartbroken to hear of the tragic passing of Liam Payne. I can barely believe it. Sincere condolences to his family. 💔,” wrote James.

English broadcasterPiers Morganwrote, “Good grief.. what a shocking tragedy” on X.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Liam Payne in London in August 2012.Ben Pruchnie/Getty

Ben Pruchnie/Getty

Several former X-Factor contestants have paid tribute.Jade ThirlwallofLittle Mix, a fellow X Factor formed group, added an Instagram Stories post with a photo of the pair.

“RIP Liam Payne 💔 condolences to friends and family,” season 6 X-Factor contestants Irish music duo John and Edward Grimes wrote onX.

Rylan Clark, season 9 contestant,wrote, “Extremely sad news. V tragic and so young. RIP Liam x.” Season 9 winner James Arthur posted a photo with Payne to hisInstagram Stories.

Singer Mabel also paid tribute to the late singer on her Instagram Stories. “LIAM & FOR SO MANY YEARS I ALWAYS KNEW I COULD CALL YOU FOR SUPPORT AND BIG BROTHERLY ADVICE BUT NOW YOU’RE GONE…,” she wrote. “MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH LIAMS FAMILY AND FRIENDS DURING THIS TIME YOU’LL BE SO MISSED.”

“Rest easy Liam,” Jessie J’s tribute on her Instagram Stories post began. “My 💔 for his son, family and friends and all those who worked with him and everyone that loved his music. So incredibly sad.”

“My condolences to everyone who, like me, grew up listening to 1D and who cultivated so many good moments with their music. It’s so sad that all of this :( doesn’t seem real,” Brazilian actress-singer Maisa Silva wrote onX.

source: people.com