Sophia Smith, the former girlfriend of Liam Payne, has shared the happy news of her engagement to James Bridgwood. Taking to social media, Sophia posted a heartwarming video of the moment James proposed to her over the Christmas holidays. In the sweet clip, they are seen surrounded by rose petals in their living room, with champagne nearby, as they relax in pajamas. Their young daughter, Angelina Grace, born in April 2023, is also present, blissfully playing with her dolls, unaware of the big moment unfolding.
Sophia, 30, had a past relationship with Liam Payne, which began back in 2013 when they first met at St. Peter’s Collegiate School in Wolverhampton. They dated until October 2015. Despite their breakup, Sophia and Liam had remained in touch over the years, and she had stayed connected with his bandmates and other loved ones. Liam, who tragically passed away in October at the age of 31, had been deeply in love with Sophia during their time together. He once revealed that he had asked her out over 20 times before she finally agreed to date him.
The engagement announcement comes at a poignant time, just a few months after Liam’s untimely death. Sophia posted a touching caption with the video, saying, “Yes a million times over. 25.12.24” and shared her excitement along with a red heart emoji. In the video, she is seen wiping away tears as she admires her new engagement ring, while little Angelina continues playing in the background. The post was set to the tune of Dan Berk’s song “Anyone,” adding to the emotional tone of the moment.
As expected, the engagement was met with an outpouring of love and congratulations from friends and followers alike. Lottie Tomlinson, a close friend of Sophia, expressed her joy with crying emojis and pink hearts, while other well-wishers, including Lou Teasdale and Maura Higgins, also offered their congratulations. Fans also expressed their happiness, commenting with words of support and excitement for the couple.
Though Sophia and Liam’s relationship ended nearly a decade ago, it was clear from their time together that they had shared a deep bond. After their breakup, Liam spoke about how painful it had been for him, stating that he had been “absolutely devastated.” He explained that despite his feelings, he knew it was best for Sophia to have the space to grow and pursue her own path. The couple had even discussed the possibility of marriage before they parted ways.
Sophia’s engagement marks a joyful new chapter in her life, just months after the heartbreaking loss of Liam. His tragic passing was a result of a fall from the third floor of a hotel, which caused fatal injuries. The former One Direction star’s death shocked fans and those who knew him, but his memory continues to be cherished by those close to him, including Sophia, who has found happiness once again.
