Former One Direction singer Liam James Payne tragically lost his life on October 16, 2024, at just 31 years old after falling from the third-floor balcony of the CasaSur Hotel in Buenos Aires. Reports from The Guardian stated that local authorities were called to the scene after Liam was allegedly under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The devastating news shook fans worldwide, and now, singer Nicole Scherzinger has spoken about the final message she sent him just hours before his death.
In a recent interview with The Sunday Times, Nicole revealed that her last exchange with Liam was casual and cheerful. The two shared a long history, having met 16 years earlier when she helped form One Direction during her time as a judge on The X Factor UK. It was Nicole who grouped Liam with Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik, setting the foundation for one of the biggest boy bands in the world. Looking back, she shared that her final message to Liam was lighthearted and affectionate, explaining that she knew he was in Argentina and that they had simply been chatting about everyday things.
Nicole and Liam had recently worked together on the Netflix project Building The Band, and she spoke warmly about how their friendship had deepened during that time. She found out about his passing just before she was due to perform in Sunset Boulevard on Broadway in New York. Despite being overwhelmed with emotion, she decided to go on stage, later dedicating a small, private part of her show to Liam every night as a tribute to his memory. She explained that performing helped her process her grief, saying that from that day forward, she would always carry a little moment for him on stage.
According to reports, the manager of the CasaSur Hotel called emergency services after Liam became distressed and erratic in his room, allegedly causing damage and placing himself in danger near the balcony. A forensic investigation later revealed alcohol, cocaine, and an antidepressant in his system, and it was determined that he had suffered a fatal head injury and extensive trauma from the fall.
Nicole once admitted that when she first brought One Direction together, she didn’t know the boys very well but sensed something special in them. Having come from a successful group herself, she understood the magic that could come from a shared dream. In reflecting on Liam’s death, she said it reminded her of how vital compassion and connection are in today’s digital world, adding that “our phones are our enemies as much as they help us.”
Nicole continued to honor Liam’s memory long after his passing, often speaking about his kind heart and the joy he brought to everyone around him. His death left an unfillable void in the hearts of fans and friends alike, marking the loss of a gifted artist whose journey ended far too soon.