Zayn Malik Pays Tribute to Liam Payne at First Tour Stop Since He Died: ‘Love You Bro’

Zayn Malik returned to the stage – and paid tribute to one of the first people he shared the stage with.

At the first show of the singer’s Stairway to the Sky “Dusk Till Dawn” tour on Saturday, Nov. 23, Malik paid tribute to fellow One Direction member Liam Payne, who died on Oct. 16 at the age of 31.

The “PILLOWTALK” singer, 31, ended his performance at the O2 Academy in Leeds, England — Malik’s first since Payne’s death — with a tribute to the late singer. After he played his penultimate song, a message about Payne appeared while his song “Stardust” was playing, fan-shot footage shows.

“Liam Payne 1993-2024,” read the screen over a blue background with a red heart. “I love you bro.”

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The The room under the stairs The artist’s tribute came three days after Malik attended Payne’s funeral alongside his former One Direction bandmates – Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan – the first time he had been seen in public with them since leaving the group in 2015.

Malik’s appearance at the funeral also came shortly after he changed his tour dates. On October 19, three days after Payne’s death, the singer announced on Instagram that, “In light of the heartbreaking loss he has experienced this week,” he will be postponing the US leg of his upcoming tour.

“I love you all and thank you for your understanding,” he wrote at the time.

Liam Payne and Zayn Malik in 2011.

Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage

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First, the performance was originally scheduled for October 23, but in the meantime it was moved to the beginning of next year. After his performance in Leeds, Malik has a few more shows in the UK, including Manchester, London, Wolverhampton and Newcastle Upon Tyne.

Payne died on October 16 when he fell from the third floor balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He died from multiple injuries and “internal and external” bleeding, according to the preliminary autopsy report.

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Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan from One Direction.

Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty

A day later, on October 17, Malik and his bandmates shared a rare group statement – ​​their first since Malik’s departure nearly a decade ago – reacting to their bandmate’s sudden death.

“We are completely devastated by the news of Liam’s death,” the statement began. “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.”

“We will cherish the memories we shared with him forever,” the band continued. “For now our thoughts are with his family, his friends and the fans who loved him with us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam . Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.”

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Malik also shared his own tribute, writing a message to Payne on Instagram.

With a memory of a photo of the duo from their boyband days, the singer partially wrote that “he lost his brother when you left us and I can’t explain to you what I would give to just hug you one last time, say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I love you very much loved and respected.”

“I will forever cherish all the memories I carry with you in my heart, there are no words to justify or explain how I feel right now other than I am beyond devastated,” he continued. “I hope that wherever you are now, you are well, that you are at peace and that you know how much you are loved.”

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Source: HIS Education