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One Direction came together to mourn the loss of band member Liam Payne after the singer’s tragic death. “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” the former boy band said
in a statement to Page Six on Thursday. “In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother,
who we loved dearly.” EXPLORE MORE “The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever,” they continued. “For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends and the fans who
loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you, Liam.” The five members, consisting of Payne, Harry Styles, 30, Zayn Malik, 31, Niall Horan, 31, and Louis Tomlinson, 32, have
rarely spoken as a joint unit since they separated in 2016 after six years of performing together. The boy band was formed by former “X Factor” judge Simon Cowell in 2010 after the five
entered the show as solo performers. Cowell, 65, was the group’s first manager and signed them with his label, Syco Entertainment, after they came in third place on the competition series.
The band quickly rose to fame, and their first four albums debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart before they split and Payne became “envious” of his friends’ success as solo artists.
“Liam struggled with finding his path as a solo artist,” a music insider told Page Six exclusively earlier Thursday. “As overwhelming as One Direction’s fame could be at times, he hoped to
replicate aspects of it on his own, which was unattainable, frankly.” Styles has found the most success in the group, as he went on to win three Grammy Awards, including album of the year in
2023 for “Harry’s House.” “Liam was really proud of the boys and all their accomplishments after the split,” our source said. “But he was definitely envious, too. It was hard not to compare
himself to them.” Payne’s biggest hit was his 2017 track “Strip That Down,” which reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. He released his only album, “LP1,” in 2019 but was working on a
second before he died. On Wednesday, Payne fell to his death from the third-floor of CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31. Local officials told Page Six that Payne was
likely in a “state of semi or total unconsciousness” when he plummeted to his death. Leading up to the horrific incident, the “Night Changes” crooner was reportedly acting “erratically” and
smashed his laptop in the hotel lobby. Payne had to be carried back to his room, where he stayed as a hotel employee called the police. WANT MORE CELEBRITY AND POP CULTURE NEWS? Start your
day with Page Six Daily. THANKS FOR SIGNING UP! Authorities uncovered drug paraphernalia and alcohol in his hotel room. Foul play is not suspected. The late singer had been in Argentina
alongside his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, but she fled the country sans her beau to return home two days before he died. While there, the couple, who had been dating since 2022, enjoyed a
romantic getaway, eating tons of food and going horseback riding. Payne also attempted to rekindle his relationship with Horan by attending the latter’s concert in Buenos Aires on Oct. 2.
Payne has struggled with addiction and mental health issues over the years. On Wednesday, a source told Page Six he “had been cycling through periods of ruinous behavior” in the years
leading up to his death. _IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE, PLEASE CONTACT THE SAMHSA HELPLINE AT 1-800-662-HELP._