One Direction star Liam Payne has tragically died aged 31.
Payne rose to fame as a member of the boy band One Direction after auditioning for the British TV series The X Factor.
The group, including Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan, became one of the best-selling boy bands of all time.
Notable tracks include ‘What Makes You Beautiful,’ ‘Best Song Ever,’ and ‘One Thing.’
Following One Direction’s hiatus, Payne signed a recording deal with Republic Records and released ‘Strip That Down’ in 2017.
The single, from his debut album, peaked at number three on the U.K. Singles Chart and number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.
He accumulated over 3.9 billion career streams following One Direction’s hiatus.
Now, tributes are pouring in following the heartbreaking news of the singer’s passing.
“So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne’s passing,” Paris Hilton pens on X, formerly Twitter. “Sending love and condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP my friend.”
X-Factor duo Jedward writes: “RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family.”
Rapper Juicy J, who collaborated with Payne and Wiz Khalifa on the 2016 single ‘You,’ says: “RIP Liam Payne. Wow I can’t believe it, prayers up for the family.”
Payne fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, state police say.
According to TMZ, the incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
Pablo Policicchio, the spokesperson for the Security Ministry of Buenos Aires Municipality, said in a statement to AP News that police were dispatched to the hotel after being informed of an ‘aggressive man who could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.’
Buenos Aires police say Payne’s fall resulted in ‘extremely serious injuries.’
Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system, says authorities are investigating the circumstances of the singer’s death and are conducting an autopsy.
At the time of writing, it’s unclear if the fall was intentional or accidental.
Local authorities have set up a cordon in the area as fans gather to mourn the singer.
Payne was in Buenos Aires to attend the concert of former bandmate Horan, according to Argentinian media reports.
Just an hour before his passing, a post was uploaded on the singer’s Snapchat detailing his plans for the day, which included playing polo, reports Sky News.
TMZ reports that his girlfriend, Texan model Kate Cassidy, left Argentina on October 14.
She posted a heartfelt message about Payne in one of the final photos of the star before his death.
Cassidy uploaded a snap of the singer riding horses in the countryside, alongside the caption: “I am very grateful for the simple things in life.”
Payne shared a seven-year-old son, Bear Grey Payne, with his former girlfriend and Girls Aloud star Cheryl Tweedy, who was also an X-Factor judge.
The singer is also survived by his parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, and his two older sisters, Ruth and Nicola.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National S**cide Prevention Lifeline in the U.S.A. at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text Crisis Text Line at 741741.
In the U.K., the Samaritans are available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, emailing jo@samaritans.org, or heading to the website to find your nearest branch.
