Nicole Scherzinger says 'it's been hard to process' as she pays emotional tribute to Liam Payne
Nicole Scherzinger has paid an emotional tribute to Liam Payne. The ITV The X Factor judge - who is credited for putting One Direction together - told how she has found news of the late singer's death 'hard to process'.
The 46-year-old said it had been a 'blessing' to work with Payne and she would 'cherish' time they had spent together. It comes after Payne, from Wolverhampton, died in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
He fell from the balcony of a third-floor hotel room on October 16. In a tribute on Instagram, Scherzinger said: "Dear Liam, I will forever cherish and treasure the time we shared together, from fifteen years ago when One Direction was born, right up until just a few weeks ago.
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"It was such a blessing to get to work with you recently. We shared the same love and passion for music and I will forever remember the meaningful and joyful conversations we had.
"It's been so hard to process that you’re no longer here, but I am grateful to have known your kind heart, sweet soul and character. You brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the lives of those that truly knew you.
"I will "miss you" my friend and carry you in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with your family."
Payne had been staying at the CasaSur Palermo hotel when he died. His girlfriend Kate Cassidy had been with him in the capital before leaving and heading back home to Florida.