Emotionally charged fans of Liam Payne consoled each other during a vigil held in London’s Hyde Park as they came together to honor his memory.
On Sunday, hundreds assembled around the Peter Pan statue in the park. Many were observed in tears, embracing one another, while others penned heartfelt messages and placed floral tributes.
Similar vigils occurred in Glasgow and Paris, in addition to others in Liverpool, New York, Paris again, and Madrid over the weekend.
Payne, aged 31, passed away due to multiple injuries sustained from a fall from the balcony of his third-floor hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday.
Lauren, 26, hailing from Kent, expressed that being with fellow fans was “soothing… because these individuals understand, while back home, it feels isolating and challenging; you’re trapped in your thoughts, but here you can openly discuss it.”
She remarked that Payne’s passing impacted her more profoundly than the loss of pop icon Tom Parker from The Wanted because she had been “prepared for it” following Parker’s brain tumor diagnosis.
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Tess Hayden, 24, from the United States, was vacationing in Dublin when she received the news of Payne’s passing. She opted to shorten her trip and head to London in hopes of participating in a vigil.
She remarked: “My older brother and I had planned a trip to Dublin for quite some time, and I had always intended to come to London at some point towards the end of our journey. However, upon waking up and hearing the distressing news, I thought, ‘I’ll just go a day early and figure it out’.”
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Ms. Hayden remarked that it was “incredibly surreal… tragic, heartbreaking, and unexpected”.
“This serves as a reminder of the significant role that Liam and One Direction played during my childhood,” she continued.
Natasha Bradley, age 23, who was present at the gathering, expressed, “I’ve honestly been feeling extremely down since learning the news, I simply couldn’t fathom it.”
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‘I feel anguish in every facet of my being’
‘Directioners’ journeyed to Buenos Aires to express their condolences outside the Casa Sur hotel as soon as news of Payne’s passing came to light.
His father, Geoff Payne, arrived there on Friday to facilitate the return of his son’s remains and paused to reflect on the flowers and messages left by devoted fans.
Sisters Selena, 21, and Augustina, 25, conversed with Sky News reporter Martha Kelner after making the three-hour journey from the city of La Plata to the hotel.
“When One Direction visited Argentina in 2014, it was exhilarating. We attended the concert and had VIP access, being so close to them,” Selena shared.
“It seems like just yesterday, and now with Liam’s departure, I experience anguish in every facet of my being and my heart,” she continued.
“He was a remarkable individual. When his father observed the notes tied around the tree, we protected him from the cameras out of respect for the immense love we hold for Liam and his family as well.”
Rocio Hipperdingar also made the trip from La Plata.
“Initially, I couldn’t accept that it had happened. I have been a fan of One Direction since I was 13, and now I’m 24,” she expressed.
“I spent countless years of my life devoted to them, enjoying their music, and they were my support during incredibly tough times. When I learned he had passed away, I thought it was a hoax. I felt compelled to visit the hotel because it’s essential to remember all the wonderful moments their music provided me,” she reflected.
She feels as though she has “lost a friend,” she added.
Fan Aelen Urguesta, 24, from Buenos Aires,
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was present too. “I’m 24 and have been a fan of Liam since I was 14,” she expressed.
“I witnessed him at Niall Horan’s concert in Buenos Aires the week prior to his passing, and it was a joy to see them together.
“The most devastating aspect is that he left this world here rather than in the company of his loved ones. Liam held significant importance within One Direction, making this incredibly sorrowful. I’m unable to articulate my feelings precisely as I am overwhelmed with emotion.”
Payne’s previous band members have all honored his memory, with Zayn Malik delaying his forthcoming US tour dates until January as a gesture of tribute.
His partner Kate Cassidy stated she feels “at a loss” without her “angel,” while the mother of his child, Cheryl, has condemned “abhorrent” media coverage surrounding his death.