Rita Ora paid an emotional tribute to Liam Payne while performing in Japan last night.
The music world has been left reeling after police announced that the One Direction star, 31, had passed away following a fall from a third-floor balcony at his hotel in Buenos Aries, Argentina, on Wednesday (16 October) evening.
Authorities were alerted to the incident after receiving information that a man at the Hotel CasaSur hotel was acting aggressive and ‘could be under the influence of drugs or alcohol’.
It is understood the star was in the city to attend a concert of his former bandmate Niall Horan.
Rita Ora paid tribute to the late singer during her gig in Japan last night (David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for ESCADA)
Eye-witnesses claim to have seen Payne plunge into the courtyard at around 5pm local time, seeing him sustain ‘severe injuries which were incompatible with life’.
The preliminary results of an autopsy confirmed that Payne had died from ‘internal and external haemorrhaging’ sustained from the fall, according to reports from Marca and The Mirror.
It is also understood that further toxicology tests are currently ongoing, which will determine whether or not the singer had taken any substances in the hours prior to his death.
Payne’s family issued a statement saying they were ‘heartbroken’ by his sudden passing, while remembering him for his ‘funny, kind and brave soul’.
Tributes for the father-of-one have been rolling in since the news broke last night, including from singer Rita Ora, who was seen fighting back tears while performing a song she recorded with Payne.
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Just hours after the Wolverhampton-born star’s death, she took to the stage in Osaka, Japan, and appeared visibly emotional as she belted out their song For You, which featured on the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack in 2018.
She called on the crowd to help her get through the song as she admitted: “I can’t even sing this right now.”
During her poignant performance of her and Payne’s song, a picture of the two of them was shown behind her.
The pair are said to have become firm friends over the years, with Ora describing her late pal as ‘a joy to be around’ in a touching social media post after she wrapped up her gig in Osaka.
Rita Ora singing “For You” in Japan last night, her song with Liam Payne
“I can’t even sing this right now ”
She showed a picture of Liam and her in the background 💔
— Erin ×͜× ✨LTdefenseless28✨ (@tdefenseless28) October 17, 2024
The former X Factor judge said: “I’m devastated. He had the kindest soul, I will never forget.
“I loved working with him so much – he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage. This tragic news breaks my heart. Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones.
“Our song For You takes on a whole new meaning for me now. R.I.P”