‘Love you bro’ – Zayn Malik’s tribute to Liam Payne
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Zayn Malik paid a heartfelt tribute to his former One Direction bandmate, Liam Payne, during his show in Leeds on Saturday night. At the O2 Academy, Malik displayed a sign that read, “Love you bro,” along with Payne’s name and the years of his birth and death. The tribute quickly went viral on social media, as fans shared the emotional moment.
The tribute to Payne, who tragically passed away at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina last month, comes as part of Malik’s ongoing tour. Malik’s tour had been set to begin earlier in the week in Edinburgh, but he had to reschedule two shows in the city due to “unforeseen circumstances.” These shows were originally scheduled for 20 and 21 November at the O2 Academy Edinburgh but have now been moved to 8 and 9 December, respectively. Malik assured fans that all tickets for the original dates would still be valid for the rescheduled performances.
Malik had previously postponed his US tour after the “heartbreaking loss” of Payne. His US tour was meant to kick off in San Francisco, and it was supposed to include stops in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Washington DC, and New York. In an Instagram post, Malik announced that the US leg of his Stairway to the Sky Tour would be rescheduled for January, with tickets remaining valid for the new dates. He thanked his fans for their understanding and support during such a difficult time.
Payne’s death deeply impacted those who knew him. His funeral was held in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, where family, friends, and former bandmates gathered to remember him. Among the mourners were Malik, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan, as well as Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, and his ex-partner, Cheryl, with whom he shared a son. The service was a poignant moment for the One Direction family, who had all been deeply affected by the loss of their friend.
At his Leeds concert, Malik performed some of his most popular hits, including Pillowtalk and My Woman. While many fans expected him to pay tribute to Payne during the show, Malik chose to do so at the very end, holding up the message that included a pink heart alongside the words “Love you bro.” The heartfelt gesture marked a moment of reflection on the close bond he shared with Payne.
Malik and Payne had both risen to global fame as members of One Direction, which was formed on The X Factor in 2010. Along with bandmates Styles, Tomlinson, and Horan, they became one of the biggest boybands in the world. However, Malik left the group in 2015 to pursue a solo career, and the band officially split in 2016.
Following Payne’s death, the surviving members of One Direction shared emotional tributes to their late bandmate. Malik, who had been especially close to Payne, wrote a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter). He expressed his deep sorrow, saying, “I loved and respected you dearly. I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there are no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated.” Malik concluded by hoping that Payne had found peace, adding that he knew how much he was loved.
The tributes from Payne’s bandmates reflected the deep bond they shared and their immense grief at losing him. Each of them remembered Payne as an integral part of the group, and they all expressed a profound sense of loss.
Malik’s tribute in Leeds and his emotional words on social media illustrate the close relationships that were forged during the One Direction years. Despite the band’s split, their friendship and the memories they created together remain a significant part of their lives. As Malik continues his tour and reflects on his memories with Payne, fans continue to honor the late star, keeping his memory alive through their shared tributes and support.
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