On Friday, October 25, Scherzinger shared an emotional message on Instagram, remembering Payne, who handed away on Wednesday, October 16, after reportedly falling from a balcony on the CasaSur Palermo Lodge in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

In her publish, Nicole Scherzinger expressed her grief and highlighted the shut bond she and Liam Payne shared, tracing again to their time on “The X Issue.”

Scherzinger and Simon Cowell have been instrumental in forming One Course in the course of the present’s 2010 season, when Payne auditioned as a solo artist earlier than being grouped with the opposite members, Harry Types, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik.

“Pricey Liam, I’ll without end cherish and treasure the time we shared collectively, from fifteen years in the past when One Course was born, proper up till just some weeks in the past,” Scherzinger wrote alongside two pictures of her, Payne and Kelly Rowland. “It was such a blessing to get to work with you lately. We shared the identical love and keenness for music and I’ll without end bear in mind the significant and joyful conversations we had.”

“It’s been so exhausting to course of that you simply’re not right here, however I’m grateful to have identified your variety coronary heart, candy soul and character,” she continued. “You introduced a lot pleasure, gentle, and laughter to the lives of those who actually knew you,” she wrote earlier than concluding with, “I’ll ‘miss you’ my good friend and carry you in my coronary heart. My ideas and prayers are with your loved ones.”

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, presently collaborating with Scherzinger on the Broadway manufacturing of Sundown Blvd., spoke about her relationship with the late One Course singer throughout an interview with Billboard.

“I suppose one thing that hasn’t been mentioned, and I suppose I might say, is that after all she mentored Liam, from One Course,” Webber mentioned. “On the Wednesday when he died, she was nonetheless texting him that day.”

“She’d simply heard that he died,” Webber mentioned. “And the truth that she even did the present in any respect is extraordinary. I imply she is a tremendous, wonderful lady. She is with none query one of many most interesting performers I’ve ever labored with.”

Scherzinger additionally expressed her condolences throughout an look on “Good Morning America” on Friday, October 25.

“Liam and I have been fairly shut…” Scherzinger mentioned. “And so, yeah, I am heartbroken.”

“I am heartbroken for Liam. I am heartbroken for his household and his family members and his followers,” she continued. “Liam at all times led along with his coronary heart and with kindness, and I actually hope that is how he’ll at all times be remembered.”

Simon Cowell, who was instrumental in forming One Course, penned a heartfelt tribute to Payne.

“You by no means actually know the way you are feeling about somebody till a second like this occurs. Liam, I’m devastated. Heartbroken. And I really feel empty. And I need you to know the way a lot love and respect I’ve for you. Each tear I’ve shed is a reminiscence of you. That is so troublesome to place into phrases proper now,” he mentioned in an Instagram publish.

“I went exterior right this moment, and I thought of so many instances we had collectively. I needed to let you understand what I might at all times say to the hundreds of people that would at all times ask me,” he continued. “What’s Liam like? And I might inform them you have been variety, humorous, candy, considerate, proficient, humble, centered. And the way a lot you really liked music. And the way a lot love you genuinely had for the followers.”

“You got here to see me final 12 months. Not for a gathering. Simply to sit down and discuss. And we reminisced about all the enjoyable instances we had collectively. And the way proud you have been to be a Dad.

After you left, I used to be reminded that you simply have been nonetheless the candy, variety boy I met all these years in the past. I’ve met your son, Bear. He has your smile and that twinkle in his eyes you’ve got. And he shall be so happy with every little thing you achieved. And the way you achieved it.”

Cowell concluded his message by extending his “love, ideas, and prayers” to Liam’s household.