Simon Cowell has released a statement on the tragic passing of British singer-songwriter and former One Direction member Liam Payne.
In his heartfelt tribute to the late singer, he describes how difficult it was to put his heartbreak into words.
“Liam, I am truly devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you,” Cowell posts. “This is so difficult to put in words right now.”
He went on by describing Payne as “kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused”.
The record executive and reality show judge is known as one of the people behind the creation of One Direction back in 2010 during The X Factor UK. He signed the group to his music label Syco Records after the competition.
They eventually became one of the biggest boybands in history.
In his emotional post, Cowell continues by sharing about how he met Liam when he was 14 when he first auditioned for the show.
“I had to tell you when you were 14 that this wasn’t your time. And we both made a promise that we would meet again. A lot of people would have given up. You didn’t. You came back and within months the whole world knew Liam,” he shares.
The entrepreneur also revealed that he met Liam last year.
“You came to see me last year. Not for a meeting. Just to sit and talk. And we reminisced about all of the fun times we had together. And how proud you were to be a Dad. After you left, I was reminded that you were still the sweet, kind boy I met all of those years ago,” he says. “I have met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eyes you have.”
Cowell adds that he always saw One Direction as brothers.
“…and reading their messages today I believe you were.”
Payne tragically passed away on October 16 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.