Zayn Malik honored his late friend and former One Direction bandmate, Liam Payne, during a concert in Wolverhampton, England, on November 30. This emotional tribute came after Payne’s tragic death in October, following a fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. Malik expressed his hope that Payne could witness the performance from beyond, stating, “Rest in peace. I hope you’re seeing this in your hometown tonight”14.
During the concert at The Halls, Malik dedicated his song “It’s You” to Payne, emphasizing their close bond by referring to him as his “brother.” This tribute was part of Malik’s ongoing homage to Payne throughout his Stairway to the Sky tour, which began just days earlier23. At the tour’s opening show in Leeds, he displayed a message reading “Liam Payne 1993-2024. Love you bro” on stage13.
Malik’s emotional tribute resonated deeply with fans, many of whom shared their reactions on social media. Comments ranged from disbelief over the loss to expressions of pride for Malik’s heartfelt dedication13. As one fan noted, it felt surreal to hear Malik speak of Payne in such final terms2.
In addition to his concert tributes, Malik had postponed performances to attend Payne’s funeral, where he reunited with other One Direction members—Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan—for the first time since leaving the group in 201546. The funeral was a poignant moment for the bandmates as they collectively mourned their friend.
Reflecting on their friendship after Payne’s passing, Malik shared on Instagram that he regretted not having thanked Payne for his unwavering support during challenging times in his life. He poignantly stated that he felt he had lost a brother and longed for one last hug23.
As Malik continues his tour, the tributes serve as a reminder of the deep connections formed during their time together in One Direction and the lasting impact of Payne’s friendship on Malik’s life and career.
