In a post that feels like a punch to the gut (but make it emotional), Louis Tomlinson finally addressed the news of Liam Payne’s passing—and let’s just say, it’s both heartwarming and tear-jerking. If you thought you weren’t going to cry today, oh boy, were you wrong.
On October 17th, Louis, in peak “big brother mode,” shared his first public thoughts about the loss of his One Direction partner-in-crime, and let’s just say, if tissues were stocks, now’s the time to invest.
> “I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother,” Louis opened, already pulling on those heartstrings like they’re the intro to “Little Things.”
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> “Liam was somebody I looked up to every day, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.”
There you go—if this was a competition for the “Most Soul-Crushing Sentence of 2024,” Louis just won it.
Louis continued, reminiscing about the early days of One Direction when baby-faced Liam, at the ripe age of 16, walked in with more charisma than Harry Styles with a new Gucci collection. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Louis was probably trying to figure out how to impress a guy whose vocal range sounded like the angels got a group discount.
> “I was instantly amazed by his voice, but more importantly, I got to see the kind brother I’d longed for all my life,” Louis shared. (We didn’t know Louis was out here making us feel like orphans, but okay.)
He then goes on to give Liam every compliment under the sun: songwriter, melody magician, the ultimate band glue, and honestly, the guy who probably made their harmonies less “karaoke” and more “Coachella-headliner level.”
> “For the record, Liam was, in my opinion, the most vital part of One Direction,” Louis declared, and somewhere out there, Simon Cowell just gasped, clutched his pearls, and fainted.
Cue the sobs—Louis also expressed regret that their post-1D bromance couldn’t bloom even further:
> “I thought we’d have a lifetime to reminisce on all the thousands of amazing memories,” Louis said, casually reminding us that our friendships pale in comparison.
> “I would have loved to share the stage with you again,” he admitted. (So yes, Directioners, this is your official heartbreak update: the reunion tour we dared dream about? Yeah, that’s not happening.)
But, in true bestie fashion, Louis promised to be there for Liam’s son, Bear:
> “If Bear ever needs me, I’ll be the Uncle he needs and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was,” Louis vowed. (And we KNOW those stories are going to be top-tier, because Louis probably has an archive of chaotic backstage tales on lock.)
The post wrapped with a tear-jerking farewell to his “Payno,” because apparently, Louis was determined to make sure we all emotionally crumble by the end of this thing:
> “Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you, mate. Sleep well X.”
And just like that, somewhere in the multiverse, an angelic Liam is smiling, raising a toast, and humming “What Makes You Beautiful.”
Rest easy, Payno. The band may not be together anymore, but your legacy is forever the most iconic boyband chaos the world has ever seen. ❤️