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LIAM Payne tragically admitted he had become "someone I didn't recognise" in a candid video uploaded a year before his death.
The One Direction star passed away aged 31 after falling to his death from a third floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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He previously told how he felt "misunderstood" following an interview with Logan Paul, 29, which sparked a flurry of "death threats" after he called out his bandmates, particularly Pillowtalk Zayn Malik, 31.
In his video posted in July 2023 which has now resurfaced on his death, Strip That Down singer Liam told how he "feels differently now."
He sat on a sofa as he told the camera: "I just took a little bit of time out, sorry for the MIA.
"There's a few reasons I did that.
"I just needed to take a bit of time out for myself because I became someone I didn't recognise any more.
"And I'm sure you didn't either."
Referring to the discussion with Logan, he said it was "nice to meet" the online star.
X Factor alumni Liam continued in his own video: "I'm not going to let anyone else take the blame for what I said.
"There was a lot of hate online for them which I thought was unfair because they didn't do anything wrong, they were doing their job."
Liam added: "I think for me a lot of what I said was coming from the wrong place.
Liam Payne’s devastated sister Ruth breaks silence in emotional statement as she posts unseen photos of late star
"I just took it out on everybody else."
The Little Things hitmaker then said: "I was getting a lot of hate online.
"There was death threats, all sorts of stuff."
He admitted he then headed to Louisiana to "get my head straight."
Tributes to Liam Payne
SHOCKED fans, former co-workers, loved ones and friends flooded social media with sad tributes to Liam Payne after news of his death emerged.
Harry Styles’ mum Anne was among the first from One Direction's camp to share her reaction, posting a photo of Liam and writing 'Just a boy...' alongside a broken heart emoji.
Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden shared an image of the pair together with the words: "Such an awful tragedy.
"Sending love to his family and all those who loved him."
X Factor star Olly Murs told fans he was "devastated" and "lost for words".
He wrote on social media: “Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I’m truly gutted and devastated for his Family and of course his son Bear losing a dad x".
Liam Gallagher said he was "very sad" and told his followers on X: "Life is precious Kids, you only get to do it once, go easy."
Former X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary has also expressed his shock and spoke on This Morning.
He said: “I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing.
“He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble.”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball reacted to the "devastating news" on her show and told fans she hugged her own son Woody tight this morning.
JLS band member Marvin Humes reflected on his memories with the singer, sharing: "I first met Liam in 2008 with the JLS boys whilst auditioning for X Factor..he was 14 years old..
"We instantly clicked and looked at him as a little brother..that year it worked out for us but not for him and then 2 years later he went back to audition and One Direction was born..the rest is history..
"Absolutely heartbroken by the tragic news..Liam you wanted to be a global superstar and you did it bro..just can’t believe that things have ended this way..it’s shocking..my thoughts and prayers are with all your family and friends brother..RIP."
Niall Horan's brother Greg shared an emotional tribute to Liam, praising him as a "top young man".
He added: "You will be forever missed. Liam, words can’t describe how much I want to grab my brother and mind him now while the world shows their memories of you and him and the boys.
"My heart goes out to your family parents and sisters and your son Bear and your 1D brothers.
"10th October we met and we started out that evening as 5 families into one big one 1D family thank you for all the laughs bro watch down on all your family and mind them lots of love kiddo x x x 1D 4 LIFE x x x"
German DJ Anton Zaslavski, otherwise known as Zedd, has taken to X with a devastated statement.
The producer, who worked with Liam on his 2017 hit Get Low, wrote: "RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…absolutely heartbreaking…"
American singer, Charlie Puth, who was friends with Liam and also collaborated with him on a song called Bedroom Floor, has posted a series of Instagram stories dedicated to him.
Alongside photos of the two of them together in their younger days, Charlie wrote: "I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me.
"He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone...
"I am so upset right now, may he rest in peace. I am so sorry..."
Irish singer duo Jedward also took to social media, saying: "RIP Liam Payne. Condolences to friends and family."
In another tweet, they added: "Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear. And all the One direction Family. RIP Liam Payne."
American media personality Paris Hilton shared: "So upsetting to hear the news of Liam Payne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend."
ITV weather presenter Alex Beresford shared a news video about Liam's tragic death on Instagram, adding: "Can't believe this! RIP Liam."
Meanwhile Love Island star Molly Marsh penned: "I'm so taken aback, rest in peace."
James Cordon also paid his own tribute, describing the star as a "loving and kind soul".
The Gavin and Stacey actor wrote on Instagram: "Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heart-breaking.
"I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x."
Payne previously appeared on Cordon's The Late Late Show in America.
Former Little Mix star Jade Thirwall - who won X Factor with her bandmates one year after One Direction took part - described him as "the first friend I made in this industry".
She said: "We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry.
"Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we'd 'make it'. I hope you are at peace now".
Camila Cabello described his death as a "tragedy" and said he "made an impression" on her when she was a young girl.
LIAM'S COMMENTS
Liam's candid interview on the "Impaulsive" podcast in 2022 showed the extent of the pain he endured behind closed doors while relating to his former bandmate Zayn Malik.
On the podcast, Liam said there were "many reasons" he disliked Zayn but "many reasons why [he'd] always be on his side."
Liam discussed his own upbringing, calling his parents "overly supportive" to the point it was "annoying at times" but compared it to Zayn, who he claimed had a "different upbringing in that sense".
The singer said: "You can always look at the man for where he is and say 'oh yeah whatever that guy's a d****', but at the end of the day once you understand what he's been through to get to that point."
Yet her comments were matched with fury from loyal One Direction fans at the time.
- Liam's cause of death released by medics
- Troubling pics from Liam's hotel room show white powder
- Niall Horan seen for first time since his death
- Zayn Malik 'in absolute bits' after hearing news
- Simon Cowell steps down from BGT
- A heartbreaking 911 call from worried hotel staff revealed
- Liam's girlfriend reveals why she left Argentina
SAD LOSS
Liam's family has released an emotional statement on his premature passing.
It read: "We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.
"We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space during this awful time."
This was followed by an emotional tribute from his sister Ruth Gibbins, who posted a series of images and an open letter to Liam where she said "I'm sorry I couldn't save you."
Liam was in Buenos Aires for pal Niall Horan's tour when he tragically plunged from the third floor on Wednesday afternoon.
A source confirmed to The Sun that Liam has died.
Liam shared a post on Snapchat only minutes before his death and showed him and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy looking into a mirror.
The singer-songwriter was staying at Hotel CasaSur in the neighbourhood of Palermo.
Crowds of heartbroken fans have gathered behind a cordon outside the accommodation to pay tribute to the star.
The star's cause of death has since been revealed as well as Liam's tragic final hours.
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English (US) ·