‘Truly devastated’ Simon Cowell breaks the silence with a moving tribute to Liam Payne after his sudden death

After canceling the previously scheduled auditions for Britain has talent the day after By Liam Payne sudden death, Simon Cowell has sent a moving message to the late One Direction member.

If Parade previously reported, Payne tragically died after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, October 16, according to state police. He was 31 and the father of a young son.

The media personality, who helped organize the group that brought Payne to worldwide fame on the reality competition series The X factor—took to Instagram with a tearful tribute to the late singer.

SIGN UP for Parade’s Trending News newsletter and we’ll keep you up to date on the viral pop culture moments and celebrity news everyone’s talking about

Cowell wrote: “You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens”, describing himself as “truly devastated” and “heartbroken”.

“And I feel empty,” he continued, addressing Payne directly. “And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I shed is a memory of you.”

He went on to describe the late musician as “kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble (and) focused,” and reminisced about their first and last meetings.

“I always saw the five of you in the band as brothers,” he added. “And reading their messages today, I believe you were too.”

He concluded by sending his “love, thoughts and prayers” to Payne’s family.

The show that launched Payne to superstardom released a “heartbroken” statement via world.”

Payne was known as one of the five singers on the popular chart X factor-created boy band One Direction, including Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan.

Formed in 2010, the group is known for creating hits like “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Night Changes” and “Best Song Ever” before the band members went their separate ways in 2016.

As for who is responsible for putting the band together, that was largely up for debate until a never-before-seen behind-the-scenes video was released in July 2022. It featured the former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger played a key role in bringing the boys together.

One Direction also released an official statement as the group mourned the loss of their co-star before the singers individually paid tribute to Payne. Additionally, other former band members, Payne’s family and that of other 1D members (including Horan’s brother and Styles’ mother), as well as former X factor competitors and countless celebrities have spoken publicly about his untimely death.

Next: Liam Payne reunites with former One Direction member 2 weeks before death