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Simon Cowell pays tribute to Liam Payne Instagramsaid they were “heartbroken” by the singer’s death.
Payne, 31, died after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina on Wednesday.
When Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson formed the boy band One Direction on “The X Factor” and then signed to Simon’s record label, Syco Records, Cowell was early in Liam’s career.
Here’s what the music world’s biggest names are saying: My heart hurts. And I feel empty. ”
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He writes: “I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I shed is a memory of you.”
When a fan asked about Liam, Simon replied, “Kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble and focused,” adding that Liam loves music and his fans. .
Cowell recalled meeting Payne when she was 14 and being told it wasn’t time yet.
He said: “We both promised to meet again. Many of us would have given up, but we didn’t. You came back and within a few months the whole world was going to hear about Liam.” I found out.”
Cowell also recalled the last time he met Payne. “You came to see me last year too. Not for a meeting. Just to sit and talk. And we reminisced about all the good times we had together. And that you’re a father. How proud I was of you. After you left, I remembered the kind and gentle boy you were all those years ago.”
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She added of Liam’s son Bear, 7, “I’ve met your son Bear. He’s got your smile, your sparkle in his eyes. And he’s got yours. You’ll be so proud of everything you accomplished and how you accomplished it.”
Simon said he had always thought of the One Direction members as “brothers”, adding: “I read their message today and I think that’s the case.”
He concluded by saying: “Rest in peace my friend and I send my love, thoughts and prayers to your family.”