Louis Tomlinson recalls learning of Liam Payne’s death from Niall Horan

By appearing on THE Diary of a CEO podcastthe One Direction alum opened up about the moment his bandmate Niall Horan informed him of the death of their friend.

“I had the same feeling as with Félicité,” Tomlinson said, referring to her late sister who died at age 18 in March 2019.

Louis was in the car in Los Angeles when he learned of Liam’s death from Niall on Wednesday October 16, 2024, after the 31-year-old singer fell from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

“I think everyone suffers from that when they’re around someone who’s struggling: my 150% wasn’t enough.”

He continued: “And that’s when my own arrogance started to think that I could have really helped him, because it was much deeper than what I could have done for him.”

“He was definitely struggling at that time in his life,” Louis said of Liam.

One direction were together for about six years, from their formation in 2010 until announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2016. The group, initially consisting of five members, sold millions of records, traveled the world and grew together in the public eye.

Louis reflected on the tribute message he shared following Liam’s death.

“When I published my article about him… I really wanted him to be remembered the way he should be remembered,” he began.

The “Lemonade” singer said he could “keep talking all day” about Liam and how “amazing” he is.

“I think we all admired him,” he said.

“I don’t think we would have had the courage to say that at that age, when I was in the band, I think I would have had too much pride, but we all admired him enormously.”

At the time of Liam’s death, Louis shared a photo of Liam hugging Louis and smiling, and shared how “devastated” he was to have “lost a brother.”

He referred to Liam as “Payno” and described him as “such a positive, funny, kind soul.”

While noting that he “struggled” with the thought of saying “goodbye,” he emphasized how grateful he was to have known him.

“I’m so grateful that we’ve been even closer since the band, talking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about the thousands of incredible memories we’ve had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life,” he shared while giving a glimpse into their friendship after the band.

“I would have loved to share the stage with you again but that wasn’t the case.”