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A letter written by Liam Payne to his 10-year-old self has resurfaced following his tragic death on October 16. The heartfelt letter was read by Payne on BBC Radio 1 in 2020, and during the October 17 show, host Scott Mills expressed his desire to share it with listeners.
In the letter, Payne reflects on his rise to fame with One Direction, his journey as a father to his son, Bear, and encourages his younger self to overcome self-doubt. Mills noted that the letter felt especially poignant in light of Payne’s passing.
On October 16, authorities confirmed that the singer had died after falling multiple stories at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Initial reports indicated that he had jumped from the balcony of his hotel room.
During the pandemic, Payne had appeared on Mills’ show, where listeners were encouraged to write letters to their younger selves. Mills mentioned, “Liam’s is so poignant today,” and provided a content warning before playing the letter.
Payne began the letter with, “Dear 10 year old Liam,” and advised his younger self to cherish moments with loved ones, saying, “Get ready! It’s about to get a little bumpy. Cherish every moment with your loved ones right now as there’s only a few more family holidays to enjoy; life is about to turn surreal.”
He reassured his younger self about his passion for singing, adding, “You know that thing you love, singing, keep it up and when you turn fourteen something magical is going to happen and I’m not talking about puberty.”
The singer elaborated on his experiences, saying, “Not only will you audition for one of the biggest music shows in the world,” referring to The X Factor, “but you’ll also meet the future mother of your child.” He reminisced about meeting Cheryl during his 2008 audition for the show.
He advised his younger self to stay grounded: “You are now famous and it feels like you’ve peaked way too early…but you have barely even started yet.” Payne acknowledged his initial struggles on The X Factor, encouraging perseverance, saying, “For a while you’ll feel like giving up…But don’t.”
As he reflected on One Direction’s split in 2016, he offered comforting words: “It will feel scary, like you’re alone but you are not. You’re about to start a totally new journey with the most amazing person you’ve met far, your son Bear.”
He also reassured himself regarding fatherhood, stating, “Don’t doubt yourself at this Dad thing…surely that must mean you have a lot to give.”
In the closing section of the letter, Payne urged his younger self to be grateful for his achievements and to overcome self-doubt: “Be grateful and try to remember every day you’re doing something you love that took ten years to build.”
He concluded the letter with a touching message: “Give Mum, Dad and all the family big hug from me…”
Following his death, tributes poured in from fans and former bandmates, expressing their heartbreak over the loss of the beloved singer.