Shawn Mendes dedicates part of his new music to the late One Direction member Liam Payne.
On Friday, Oct. 18, the 26-year-old “Stitches” singer paused his concert in New York to remember Payne, who died Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the age of 31.
In a video of the concert moment captured by fans and shared on social media, Mendes spoke candidly about the few encounters he’s had with the “Strip That Down” singer, calling him a “beautiful soul.”
“We heard the news about Liam,” Mendes began, addressing the crowd at the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre. “I felt like… It felt completely devastating. I met him a couple of times, and he was a beautiful soul and his eyes sparkled – it was a beauty, it shone in his eyes.”
Shawn Mendes (left) and Liam Payne.
Getty (2)
One Direction’s Liam Payne has died aged 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina
“It’s about mourning those we miss with tears and it’s also about celebrating them and who they were and what they left in this world and I just want to take a second to send him so much love, wherever he is up there. Liam, we love you,” he continued. “The world is crying for you brother and we are all praying for your son and your family. I miss you. This is for you tonight Liam from all of us.”
Mendes then opened with his new song “Heart of Gold,” off his soon-to-be-released self-titled album, Shawn. The Brooklyn concert was also apparently part of his upcoming concert film, For friends and family only, which is scheduled to be released on November 14th, ahead of his album release.
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Payne died after falling from a hotel balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Argentine Federal Police confirmed to PEOPLE. Argentine news channel TN was the first to report the news.
After Payne’s death, dozens of his friends, family and fellow celebrities paid tribute to the singer, including his former One Direction bandmates, his sister, his ex Cheryl (with whom he shared 7-year-old son Bear) and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
On Thursday, October 17, One Direction band members – Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan – shared a joint statement on Instagram saying they were processing the “loss of our brother”.
“We are completely devastated by the news of Liam’s death,” their statement read. “In time, and when everyone is able, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved very much.”
The statement continued in part: “We will cherish the memories we shared with him forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, friends and fans who loved him with us. We will miss him terribly.”
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Source: HIS Education