Robbie Williams has joined the outpouring of tributes to Liam Payne, following the heartbreaking news of the singer’s untimely death at age 31. Payne, a former member of One Direction, tragically passed away after falling from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 16. Local reports confirmed the cause of death as multiple traumas and severe bleeding.
Taking to Instagram, Williams expressed his deep sadness, recalling his connection to Payne during One Direction’s time on The X Factor in 2010, where Williams acted as a mentor of sorts. “I use the word mentored in inverted brackets cos I hardly did anything to be honest,” he wrote. “I just hung out with them. They were all cheeky and lovely. I enjoyed the light hearted piss takery and thought about all the times I was that cheeky pisstaker with the Popstars that had gone before me when I was in Take That.”
Williams reflected on Payne’s struggles, which he found relatable due to his own battles with self-harm, depression, and addiction. He shared, “I still had my demons at 31. I relapsed. I was in pain. I was in pain because I relapsed. I relapsed because of a multitude of painful reasons. I remember Heath Ledger passing and thinking ‘I’m next’. By the grace of god and/or dumb luck I’m still here.”
In his heartfelt message, Williams urged kindness and compassion, emphasizing the toll that fame and public scrutiny can take on young stars. “The internet will unfortunately carry on being the internet. The media will unfortunately carry on being the media and fame will carry on being fame,” he wrote.
Payne’s passing has resonated deeply with fans and colleagues alike. Former One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson released a joint statement, expressing their heartbreak and need for time to grieve the loss of their “brother.”
Styles also penned his own tribute, recalling Payne’s warmth and infectious energy. “His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it,” Styles wrote.
The world has been mourning this tragic loss, with many echoing calls for greater care and support for young artists navigating the challenges of fame.
