Rita Ora reacts to her friend and collaborator Liam Payne’s untimely passing

Rita Ora is among many musicians who have paid tribute to Liam Payne after the sad news of his unexpected death at just 31 years old.

Payne, who used to be in the famous boy band One Direction, tragically fell from the balcony of his hotel room while he was on vacation in Buenos Aires. His body was found in the hotel courtyard, and authorities reported that he suffered serious injuries from the fall, including severe bleeding both inside and outside his body.

Ora, who worked with Payne on the song “For You,” expressed her grief on social media, saying she was “devastated” by his passing. In fact, just hours after learning of his death, she performed their duet at a concert in Osaka, Japan, but she found it hard to get through the song without breaking down in tears.

In her heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter), Ora mentioned how their song has taken on a new meaning for her now. “For You” was one of Payne’s first releases after One Direction split up in 2018. It appeared on his debut solo album, LP1, and was also featured in Fifty Shades Freed.

Ora remembered Payne as someone with “the kindest soul,” saying, “I will never forget.” She added that working with him was a joy, both on and off stage. She concluded her touching message by expressing how heartbroken she is over his death and sent her love to his family during this difficult time.

Payne’s family also released a statement, remembering him as a “kind, funny, and brave soul.” They asked for privacy as they navigate this incredibly tough period. This sentiment of grief has resonated throughout the music industry and beyond since the news broke.

Other members of One Direction, like Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson, shared their own tributes, calling Payne “a brother.” The remaining bandmates, Harry Styles and Niall Horan, issued a joint statement on the band’s Instagram, with Styles also posting a personal tribute. Many other artists, including Halsey, Charlie Puth, Ty Dolla $ign, Zedd, and Jedward, shared their thoughts on Payne’s legacy, expressing their sadness.

Beyond the music scene, well-known figures like Paris Hilton, James Corden, and Styles’ mother, Anne Twist, also honored Payne with their tributes. This comes amid a whirlwind of developments surrounding his death, including fans discovering Snapchat videos Payne posted just moments before the tragedy.

Additionally, reports have emerged about hotel staff calling the police before Payne’s fall, expressing concern about a guest who seemed aggressive and potentially under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The exact circumstances surrounding his fall remain unclear, and police are currently investigating the situation. Just weeks before his death, Payne had mentioned plans to visit Argentina for Horan’s concert, but some fans were unsure if he would attend.