The former girl group member disclosed that she and the late singer shared a close bond till his shocking death last year, including a final conversation before the news hit the airways.

Nicole Scherzinger and Liam Payne collaborated on a reality show styled after The X Factor, alongside Kelly Rowland, where they mentored aspiring musical band members.

The songstress was there from the moment Payne found his home with the defunct One Direction group till he died in Australia, as a friend and as a guardian. Scherzinger revealed that she was aware of his trip to Argentina, as they had been texting even up until the moment he suffered the fall.

The singer noted that it was a light-hearted chat in their usual manner, and after hearing about his death, she decided to dedicate a segment to him on her show. Scherzinger performed “Sunset Boulevard” in honor of the 31-year-old and continued to dedicate a part of the show to the artist since then.

“I barely knew him when I put One Direction together. I just saw these talented boys and was like: “I’m coming out of a girl group – I know the power of a group,” the songstress recalled in her interview with The Times.

A week after Payne died in Buenos Aires, Scherzinger took to Instagram with a very emotional post detailing how she felt about Payne’s death and the good times they shared.

The Blast shared that the late singer was a contestant on “The X Factor” when Scherzinger served as a judge alongside Simon Cowell and others in 2010.

From then on, the duo shared a friendship and excellent professional relationship, a memory Scherzinger would forever cherish. She uploaded two pictures of herself and Rowland with Payne.

“We shared the same love and passion for music, and I will forever remember the meaningful and joyful conversations we had,” the singer added.

Scherzinger stressed that it was a pleasure to have worked with the singer who brought so much “joy, light, and laughter” to those who knew him. The vocalist concluded her tribute, noting that she would miss Payne and carry him in her heart forever.

The reality show connoisseur who was pivotal to the creation of One Direction also shared his thoughts on how painful the death of Payne was.

Cowell declared that he was “devastated,” “heartbroken,” and “empty” upon learning that Payne would no longer be around. The reality show judge reiterated that he carried so much respect and love for the late singer, and expressing his sadness was difficult for him.

“What is Liam like? And I would tell them you were kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused,” Cowell continued. The media personality revealed that they had a reunion in 2023, during which they discussed many topics, including how happy Payne was to finally be a dad.

He shared that he met the singer’s son, who bore striking similarities, such as his smile and the twinkle in his eyes. Cowell concluded his tribute by sending love to Payne’s family and affirming that his son, Bear, would be very proud of everything he has achieved during his time on earth.

The Blast reported that Payne died after suffering a fall from a third-story balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires on October 16, 2024. 

Officials immediately began unraveling what could have led to such a severe fall, and a partial autopsy report revealed many findings. The singer reportedly had a deadly mix of cocaine, crack, benzodiazepine, and pink cocaine in his system.

An aluminum pipe was also discovered in his hotel room, which was predicted to be an improvised tool for him to ingest the drugs. The singer also suffered several internal and external traumas from the fall, with a cranial fracture being the immediate cause of his death.

The English songwriter was also reportedly operating under extreme ecstasy and irrationality due to the effect of a substance known as Cristal. Following his death and apparent lack of a will, the singer’s $32.2 million estate was placed in a trust for his son.

Kate Cassidy, who was the singer’s girlfriend up till his death, celebrated what would have been his 32nd birthday in August with a collage of their moments together as a couple.

The post featured several clips of the late singer and Cassidy on trips, dates, and adventures together. “8.29.93. A special day for the most special soul. I miss you so much. Happy Birthday, Liam. I wish we could celebrate together. In the next life, I guess,” the media personality wrote in the post’s caption. 

The duo started dating in October 2022 and shared a home and a dog till he died last year. Payne and Cassidy first met while she worked as a waitress at an establishment where Payne frequented.

Cassidy and Payne were last spotted together in March 2024 at Paris Fashion Week, and she was reportedly informed of his death via a phone call while she was in Florida.

May Liam Payne’s soul continue to rest in peace!