Kelly Osbourne Says Liam Payne’s Death ‘Hit Hard,’ Recalls How Singer Supported Her During Hard Time (Exclusive)

Kelly Osbourne opened up about her bond with the late Liam Payne, telling Us Weekly in her cover story that his death “hit hard.”

News broke earlier this month that Payne fell to his death from a third-floor balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina at the age of 31. A preliminary autopsy revealed that the One Direction alum suffered multiple injuries involving “internal and external hemorrhage.” It was also reported that Payne had multiple drugs, including “pink cocaine,” in his system.

Sometime ahead of Payne’s sudden death, he spoke with Osbourne, 40. During the conversation, the TV personality told Us that Payne “was in a good place.”

“He was checking on me to make sure that I was OK,” Osbourne recalled to Us. “The fact that there was nobody there for him just absolutely breaks my heart.”

Payne is survived by his parents, his two older sisters and his 7-year-old son, Bear, whom he shared with ex Cheryl Cole. At the time of his death, Payne was alone in Argentina. He had traveled to South America with girlfriend Kate Cassidy, who left several days earlier. (A source told Us earlier this month that Cassidy, 25, felt “immense guilt” leaving town without Payne.)

Amid Payne’s death, many celebrities — including Kelly’s mother, Sharon Osbourne — have shared heartfelt condolences.

“Liam, my heart aches. We all let you down,” Sharon, 72, wrote via Instagram on October 17. “Where was this industry when you needed them? You were just a kid when you entered one of the toughest industries in the world. Who was in your corner? Rest in peace, my friend.”

While speaking with Us, Kelly concurred with her mother’s remarks.

Kelly and Payne each struggled with addiction through their respective years in the spotlight. The “Strip That Down” singer had been candid about his challenges with alcoholism, leading to a 2023 rehab stay. Later that same year, Payne confirmed he was 100 days sober.

Kelly, meanwhile, has been sober since 2021 after years of struggle.

“It’s a rocky road for me,” Kelly admitted in her Us cover story. “Most days are great, but every now and then, I’ll get one really bad day where it’s hard to pull myself out. My natural habitual instinct is to numb myself because I don’t have to see the pain and I don’t have to feel unworthy. I can just hibernate.”

She continued, “But, you can’t do that when you have a baby. You absolutely cannot. Finding other ways of getting through those hard days can be difficult sometimes.”

Kelly, who shares 23-month-old son Sidney with boyfriend Sid Wilson, further told Us that medication “saved [her] life.”

For more from Kelly’s cover story, pick up the new issue of Us Weekly, on stands now.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).