Nicole Scherzinger reveals texts with Liam Payne on the day of his death
NICOLE Scherzinger has revealed her texts with Liam Payne on the day of his death.
The former One Direction star 31, fell 45 feet from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, October 16.
The pair became friends after she put him in One Direction on the X Factor 16 years ago.
But they grew closer together on the talent contest Building The Band which was filmed months before his death last October.
Nicole has revealed she found about his death just before taking to the stage for a performance of Sunset Boulevard in New York.
In an interview with The Times Time, Nicole explained: “I just adored Liam. He had such a good heart.
“I barely knew him when I put One Direction together. I just saw these talented boys and was like, ‘I’m coming out of a girl group — I know the power of a group.“
Talking about the text conversation they had on the day of his death, she added: “I’d known he was in Argentina. It was just chit-chat and pretty light.”
Though she was devastated to hear of his death, Nicole said: “The show must go on.”
However, she remembered her friend in a special way each night: “From then on, I dedicated a little part of the show to Liam every night.
“Just a little moment that always made me think of him.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber, who composed the music for the Broadway musical Sunset Blvd told Billboard: “I suppose something that hasn’t been said, and I suppose I could say, is that of course she mentored Liam, from One Direction.
“On the Wednesday when he died, she was still texting him that day.
“The fact that she even did the show at all is extraordinary. I mean, she is an amazing, amazing woman.
“She is without any question one of the finest performers I’ve ever worked with.”
This comes after Liam’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy has shared AI pics of herself with the late star, and said the snaps are “a blessing and a curse”.
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.
Influencer Kate, 25, had been dating Liam, 31, for two years when he died.
She had been with him in Argentina until two days before his death.
The grieving girlfriend often posts sweet pictures of her beloved Liam, as she tries to come to terms with his death.
On her Instagram Story, Kate revealed how she had created some new pictures with her beloved Liam, through the use of AI technology.
In the photos she is seen cuddling up to the late star, in various poses.
Kate wrote on one of the snaps: “Thanks for making these.
“AI is such a blessing and a curse.”
