ZAYN paid a heartfelt tribute to his late friend and former One Direction bandmate, Liam Payne, during the opening of his Stairway to the Sky Tour in Leeds, England, on Saturday, November 23.

A Touching Tribute

At the O2 Academy, as ZAYN’s song “Stardust” played, a tribute to Payne appeared on the screen behind the stage. The message read: “Liam Payne. 1993-2024. Love You Bro ❤️.” This emotional moment allowed fans to reflect on the loss of the beloved singer, who passed away in October.

@ahmeeka zayn’s tribute for liam 🙁 #zayn #stairwaytothesky #zaynmalik #roomunderthestairs #liampayne #onedirection ♬ original sound – amika

One Direction Members Pay Their Respects

Payne’s sudden death on October 16 sent shockwaves through the music world. The One Direction members have all shared personal tributes to their friend. Louis Tomlinson described Payne as “the most vital part of One Direction” and said he was “beyond devastated.” ZAYN, who had a close bond with Payne, posted on Instagram, “I loved and respected you dearly” and thanked him for supporting him through difficult times.

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Harry Styles wrote that “His greatest joy was making other people happy,” while Niall Horan shared, “We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever.”

AMERSHAM, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 20: Zayn Malik (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
AMERSHAM, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 20: Louis Tomlinson (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
AMERSHAM, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 20: Harry Styles (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
AMERSHAM, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 20: Niall Horan (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Payne’s Legacy

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Liam Payne, 31, tragically passed away after falling from a balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Brazil. He is survived by his son, Bear, parents Geoff and Karen, and his sisters, Nicola and Ruth.

As ZAYN continues his tour, the legacy of Liam Payne remains a powerful presence in the hearts of his bandmates and fans alike.

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