Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson each went their separate ways after the end of One Direction, just like Liam Payne. They saw each other constantly for several years. When the obligations fell away, their bond also broke completely.
“It’s sad to say, but we needed such a drama to see each other again,” says Louis Tomlinson. “In retrospect, that was very strange. Because from the first moment we saw each other again, it seemed as if time had stood still.”
‘We hang on the line for hours as usual’
He continues: “There was no grudge or argument between us. Why did we no longer contact each other? I have no idea. While now, as usual, we sometimes spend hours on the phone to catch up.”
Payne died in October 2024 at the age of 31 after falling from a balcony in Buenos Aires. A year after the tragedy, the tragedy clearly does not wear off. “I was so naive to think that I could now talk about it more easily. If only because I lost my mother Joanna in 2016 and my very young sister Félicité in 2019. I thought that, now in my thirties, I could deal with such dramas better. But apparently not. It remains difficult for me to accept that someone is no longer there.”
Fans are remembering British singer Liam Payne after his tragic fall from a hotel balcony. © ANP/HH
“Liam had a positive outlook on life and was always in a good mood. I am glad I knew him,” he said.
Uncomfortable anniversary
According to the singer, One Direction’s recent 15th anniversary felt awkward. “Because the feeling that we had something to celebrate was more important than ever, in memory of Liam.”
One Direction’s Louis and Zayn join forces with Netflix for millions: ‘They will honor Liam Payne’
Last week it was announced that Tomlinson is working on a Netflix documentary with former bandmate Zayn Malik. In it, they go on a road trip through the US and look back on their lives, careers and the loss of Payne. They receive millions of euros for their cooperation.