Nicole Scherzinger has broken her silence on Liam Payne’s death and wrote an emotional tribute.
The Pussycat Dolls singer took to Instagram on Friday, October 25, to honor the former One Direction member who died after tragically falling from his hotel on October 16 in Argentina. She posted two photos of herself, Liam and Kelly Rowland backstage of what appears to be their upcoming Netflix singing competition series, Building the Band. All three of them were radiant with smiles on their faces and Liam made a silly face in the following photo.
Nicole began the post: “Dear Liam, I will forever cherish and treasure the time we shared together, from fifteen years ago when One Direction was born, right up until just a few weeks ago.”
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“It was such a blessing to get to work with you recently. We shared the same love and passion for music and I will forever remember the meaningful and joyful conversations we had,” the caption continued. “Its been so hard to process that youre no longer here, but I am grateful to have known your kind heart, sweet soul and character.”
The caption concluded: “You brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the lives of those that truly knew you. I will ‘miss you’ my friend and carry you in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.”
Nicole and Liam have known each other since she was a judge on X-Factor and was mainly responsible for the formation of One Direction in 2010.
This tribute comes as it was revealed by Broadway legend Andrew Lloyd Webber in a Billboard interview that the songstress had spoken to Liam on the day of his death. Andrew and Nicole are currently working together on the musical Sunset Boulevard. Andrew co-wrote the music while Nicole is playing Norma Desmond in the Jamie Lloyd Company revival production that first debuted at London’s the West End in 2023.
“I suppose something that hasn’t been said, and I suppose I could say, is that of course she mentored Liam, from One Direction.” Andrew said. “On the Wednesday when he died, she was still texting him that day.”
The 76-year-old added that she learned of his death before she had to perform for reviewers and commended her performance: “She’d just heard that he died. And 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.”
Liam and Nicole had remained close over the years and recently worked together on their forthcoming Netflix series Building the Band. Nicole served as mentor and judge, while Liam and Kelly also served as judges. AJ McLean is the host of the series which will follow 50 singers as they tried to make their own band without seeing each other. The show as of yet does not have a release date, and many are wondering it the show will still air in the aftermath of Liam’s passing.