On November 29, Zayn Malik delivered a moving tribute to his late friend and former bandmate Liam Payne during his Stairway to the Sky tour stop in Wolverhampton, England—Payne’s hometown. The 31-year-old singer dedicated his ballad “It’s You” to Payne, who passed away on October 16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“So, I’ve been doing something at the end of the show every night, and it’s being dedicated to my brother Liam Payne. Rest in peace. I hope you’re seeing this in your hometown tonight, Wolverhampton. This is for you, Liam,” Malik told the crowd. The heartfelt moment, captured by fans and shared widely on social media, reflected the depth of Malik’s emotions and the bond he shared with Payne.
This wasn’t the first tribute Zayn Malik made to honor his late friend. At the tour’s opening night in Leeds on November 23, he displayed the message “Liam Payne 1993–2024 Love You bro” on a screen, accompanied by his song “Stardust.” The gesture underscored Malik’s commitment to keeping Payne’s memory alive throughout his performances.
The loss of Payne brought Malik and his former One Direction bandmates—Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan—together for Payne’s funeral just days before Malik’s UK tour began. Their reunion was a poignant reminder of the shared history and connection that extended beyond their time as a band.
Shortly after Payne’s passing, Malik shared a deeply personal Instagram post. Alongside a nostalgic photo of the two as teenagers, Malik reflected on their friendship: “I can’t help but think selfishly that there were so many more conversations for us to have. I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.” The image, showing a moment of quiet camaraderie, resonated with fans as a testament to the bond they shared.
Payne’s death also led Malik to postpone the U.S. leg of his tour, citing the need to process the loss and focus on his UK performances. “Given the heartbreaking loss experienced this week, I’ve made the decision to postpone the U.S. leg of the Stairway to the Sky tour,” Malik announced on social media. He reassured fans that the dates would be rescheduled and expressed gratitude for their understanding.
Through his tributes, both public and personal, Malik continues to honor Payne’s legacy, offering fans a space to remember and celebrate the life of a cherished artist and friend.
