Harry Styles is speaking in depth about former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne’s death for the first time.
“It’s difficult to lose any friend, but it’s so difficult to lose a friend who is so like you in so many ways,” Styles, 31, told Zane Lowe in a new Apple Music interview, released on Wednesday, March 4. “It’s like, I saw someone with the kindest heart who just wanted to be great.”
He added, “It was a really important moment for me in terms of taking a look at my life and being able to say to myself, ‘OK, what do I want to do with my life? How do I want to live my life?’ And I think the greatest way you can honor your friends who pass away is by living your life to the fullest.”
Payne died in October 2024 at age 31 after falling off the third floor balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Styles admitted with “full transparency” that discussing Payne’s death is something that he struggles with.
“I think there was a period when he passed away where I really struggled with kind of, like, acknowledging how strange it is to have people kind of, like, own part of your grief in a way,” the singer explained. “I have such strong feelings around my friend passing away. Then suddenly being, you know, like, aware of there’s maybe a desire from other people [for] you to convey that in some way, or it means you’re not feeling what you’re feeling or something.”
Styles and Payne were bandmates in One Direction alongside Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik, who left the group in 2015. (The group went on an indefinite hiatus the following year.)
After Payne’s death, the four remaining band members released a joint statement mourning their friend.
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,” they shared in October 2024. “But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. 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.”
Wednesday’s interview is the first time Styles discussed Payne’s death publicly after sharing his own tribute via Instagram.
“I am truly devastated by Liam’s passing,” Styles wrote via Instagram in October 2024 alongside a graphic with the statement. “His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honor to be alongside him as he did it.”
Styles sent love to Payne’s family at the time.
“Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving,” he added. “The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.”
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