Simon Cowellthe X Factor judge who signed One Direction to his record label, says he is “truly devastated” and heartbroken over Liam Payne’s death,
In a statement on Instagram, the entertainment mogul remembered Payne – who died on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina, as “kind, fully, sweet, thoughtful (and) talented”.
“You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,” Cowell began.
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“Liam, I am truly devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty.
“And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.
“I wanted to let you know what I would always say to the thousands of people who would always ask me. What is Liam like?
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“And I would tell them you were kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused. And how much you loved music. And how much love you genuinely had for the fans.”
Cowell – who mentored Payne and his One Direction bandmates during their time on the X Factor and signed them to his label afterwards – recalled the singer coming to visit him in 2023, the pair reminiscing about “all the fun times” they had shared.
“After you left, I was reminded that you were still the sweet, kind boy I had met all of those years ago.”
Cowell said he had met Payne’s seven-year-old son Bear, adding, “He has your smile and that twinkle in his eyes you have. And he will be so proud of everything you achieved. And how you achieved it.”
Cowell also addressed the tributes shared by Payne’s One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik following his death.
READ MORE: Tributes pour in for One Direction star Liam Payne
“I always thought of the 5 of you in the band as brothers. And reading their messages today I believe you were,” he wrote.
“And now Liam, I can see the effect you had on so many people. Because you left us too soon.
“Rest in peace my friend.”
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