Harry Styles shocks fans with candid confession about Liam Payne tragedy: ‘I struggle with that!’
Harry Styles has spoken publicly about the death of his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne for the first time, admitting he found it difficult to process his grief under intense public scrutiny.
Mr Payne died on October 16, 2024, after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31 years old.
“Full transparency, it’s like something that I, even the idea of talking about it, I struggle with that a little bit even,” Mr Styles told Zane Lowe for Apple Music.
The 32-year-old said being expected to speak publicly about his grief added to the difficulty of an already painful time.
One Direction was created during the 2010 series of The X Factor | GETTY
“I have such strong feelings around my friend passing away, and then suddenly being, you know, like aware of there’s maybe like a desire from other people of you to convey that in some way.”
Reflecting on his former bandmate, Mr Styles described Mr Payne as someone who was deeply kind and driven.
“He was someone with the kindest heart who just wanted to be great,” he said.
Mr Payne died on October 16 2024
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PAThe loss also made Mr Styles step back and reconsider his priorities and plans for the future.
He explained: “It was a really important moment for me in terms of taking a look at my life and being able to say to myself, ‘OK, what do I want to do with my life? How do I want to live my life?’
“I asked myself what I wanted my life to look like in five years’ time.
“I want a family, I want these things,” he continued, adding that he would not want to end up alone despite professional success.
Mr Styles is preparing to release his fourth solo album
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GETTYDuring the interview, the Watermelon Sugar singer also spoke about his relationship with music and the promise he made to himself early in his career.
He revealed that he has always told himself he would step away from performing if he ever stopped enjoying it.
“I’ve always had the conversation with myself about if I ever checked in with myself and was like, ‘I don’t love it, it’s not fun anymore’, then I kind of just made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t do it,” he said.
Mr Styles added that continuing without genuine passion would feel unfair both to himself and to his supporters.
One Direction fans were quick to flood social media with messages of surprise and sadness after hearing Mr Styles’ interview.
“This was not on my Wednesday bingo card!” one fan exclaimed.
Another wrote: “Oh Harry… he is still hurting so much from Liam’s passing. It feels like he can’t find the words to say and he is struggling.”
“OMG I’M SOBBING” (sic), another fan added.
Liam Payne was reportedly dropped by his record label days before he died | GETTY
A fourth commented: “This broke and warmed my heart. Love them forever!”
Another user added: “And people said they hated each other…”
Following the death of Mr Payne, the surviving members of One Direction issued a joint statement on the band’s Instagram account, marking its first post in four years.
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,” they wrote.
Mr Styles attended Liam Payne’s interview in November 2024
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GETTY
“But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”
Mr Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik later reunited to attend the funeral in Buckinghamshire in November 2024, alongside Simon Cowell and members of Mr Payne’s family.
Since then, Mr Tomlinson has spoken publicly about the profound difficulty of losing a close friend, while Mr Malik dedicated a performance of “iT’s YoU” to Payne in the late singer’s hometown.
Mr Styles is preparing to release his fourth solo album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, on Friday.
The record follows his hugely successful 2022 album Harry’s House.
