Louis Tomlinson was spotted for the first time in Malibu, California, one day after Liam Payne’s tragic death at 31.
On Thursday, Tomlinson, 32, was photographed at a luxury Airbnb during a family holiday. The singer sported a white t-shirt and sunglasses. Tomlinson appeared relaxed as he chatted with his pregnant sister, Lottie, and her partner, Lewis Burton.
That same day, the former members of One Direction released a joint statement on social media.
“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” read the statement from Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, and Niall Horan on Thursday.
“In time, and when everyone is able to, 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 dearly.”
“The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever,” they added. “For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”
Tomlinson shared his own message on Instagram as well, writing, “I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.”
The British performer said he was “instantly amazed” by Payne’s voice, adding, “but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.”
He also credited the “Strip That Down” singer for “shaping” One Direction.
“A message to you Liam if you’re listening, I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye,” he wrote. “I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.”
He continued, “If Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was,” telling Payne that he wished he “got a chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.”
Tomlinson signed off, writing, “Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X.”
Payne rose to fame alongside Tomlinson, Malik, Styles and Horan after the group was formed on “X Factor” in 2010. However, despite Tomlinson and Payne being bonded thanks to the success of their band, they didn’t always get along. Payne admitted they “hated” each other when they started their boy band journey.
The group released four albums until Malik announced his departure from the band in March 2015.
During an interview that same year, Payne said of Malik’s exit: “He had to do what he had to do, really, for himself. It’s fine.”
“We’re just going to carry on doing what we’re doing. We wish him all the best with whatever he goes into and stuff,” he continued. “We’ll just have to see what happens.”
After Malik left, One Direction went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016.
Years before Payne’s death, the singer spoke candidly about his time in the group on Jessie Ware’s podcast“Table Manners” in 2019.
Payne said that the boy band endured a “mess” of a schedule, dealing with sold-out tours before even recording an album.
“There’s no stop button,” he told Ware at the time. “You’ve got no control over your life. That’s why I lost complete control of everything.”
The artist found the split “really scary at first” but was happy it was over.
Payne moved on to a solo career, releasing one album, “LP1,” in 2019, and said he had started working on a follow-up.
However, Payne also said he struggled to break the partying and overworking habits he developed in the group.
The late artist decided, “You’re either going to end up a crazy child star who dies at whatever age, or you’re going to live life and actually get on with it.”
Payne fell to his death from the third floor of his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday.
Medical officials confirmed that the star had a “cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries that led to his immediate death.” Witnesses told TMZ Payne’s behavior seemed “erratic” before the fatal accident. He allegedly smashed his laptop in the hotel lobby and was carried back to his room prior to the fatal fall.