On October 16th, 2024, the world was heartbroken at the news of former One Direction singer Liam Payne’s unfortunate and untimely passing. Today, exactly one year later, we’d like to remember the life and legacy of the singer, whose impact is still felt in the world of music and the hearts of fans.

Where it All Began: The Formation of One Direction

Liam Payne made his public debut onto the music scene through the UK’s version of The X Factor. Payne initially auditioned for the show in 2008, at just 14 years old, but was passed over by the judges. However, he had already caught the attention of Simon Cowell, who encouraged him to return to the show. Two years later, in 2010, Cowell brought Payne together with four other individual auditionees (Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson) to form the boy band we all know and love, One Direction. While the group ultimately placed third in the competition, they sent shockwaves throughout the music industry, and came off the show and out the gate swinging, to say the least.

One Direction’s Smashing Success

In 2011, the group dropped their debut single, “What Makes You Beautiful,” which topped the charts and achieved swift international success. The track entered the UK Singles Chart at the No. 1 spot, and peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, spending 34 weeks on the chart. Later that year, the group released their debut album, Up All Night, which further cemented the group as top contenders in the music industry, even at the beginning of their career. The album peaked at the No. 2 spot on the UK Albums Chart, and debuted at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200, ultimately spending a whopping 106 weeks on the chart.

The group would go on to release four more albums (three of those also debuting at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100), sell over 70 million records worldwide, embark on four world tours (two of them being entirely in stadiums), and be awarded nearly 200 accolades, including seven Brit Awards, seven American Music Awards, six Billboard Music Awards, and four MTV Music Video Awards. It goes without saying that the group was one of the most successful recording artists of all time.

Payne’s Soaring Solo Career

After Zayn’s departure from the group in 2015, and the group’s subsequent indefinite hiatus in 2016, Liam Payne began working on solo material, fully intending to continue strong in his music career. In 2017, Payne dropped his debut single, “Strip That Down,” which featured rapper Quavo of the group Migos. The single debuted at the No. 3 spot on the UK Singles Chart, and landed in the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, spending 28 weeks on the chart. The single is also certified triple platinum by the RIAA. In 2019, Payne released his debut studio album, LP1, which peaked at the No. 17 spot on the UK Albums Chart, and the No. 111 spot on the Billboard 200, and is certified gold in the UK.

The Wake of The Singer’s Passing

The heartbreak of the loss was, and still is to this day, felt by Payne’s loved ones and his fans across the globe, with many solemn tributes to the singer being shared over social media. On Friday, August 29th, Payne’s older sister, Nicola, took to Instagram with a heartfelt message on what would’ve been her younger brother’s 32nd birthday. See below:

This past Sunday, October 12th, Payne’s girlfriend Kate Cassidy took to TikTok to share her feelings on the one year anniversary of the last time they had seen each other. Tearfully, she remarked on the last conversation the two of them ever had before she left Argentina, saying, “I was sitting on the couch, just expressing to him how much I’m going to miss him, how much I love him.” She continued, “Honestly, it’s so weird to look back at because it was such a long, heartfelt goodbye. He looked at me, and he said, ‘[Kate], you’re going to miss your flight. You’re acting like this is the last time you’re ever going to see me again.’ And little did I know, it literally was the last time I got to see him.” Finally, she noted that she was “so, so glad that [she] and Liam had that last goodbye the way it was.” Watch her video below:

We’d like to close out with a gallery of highlights over the course of Liam Payne’s career, to help in remembering his impact on the world. We wish his family, friends, and fans strength during this time.

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For more on the singer’s life and legacy, click HERE.