Liam Payne was honored at the 2025 Grammy Awards, three months after his tragic death at the age of 31.
The Recording Academy began the ceremony’s “In Memoriam” montage Sunday night with various clips of the singer and his former One Direction bandmates, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik, performing over the years.
“We never expected any of this to happen,” Payne marveled at one point of the boy band’s massive fame. “If you actually sit and think about it, we’ve done some amazing things.”
Chris Martin, who was onstage at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, then sang Coldplay’s “All My Love” to remember the pop star and other musicians who died in 2024.
Liam Payne was honored at the 2025 Grammys, three months after his tragic death at the age of 31.Getty Images for BFI
The Recording Academy began the ceremony’s “In Memoriam” montage Sunday with various clips of the singer and his former One Direction bandmates performing over the years.AFP via Getty Images
Fans immediately flocked to X to grieve.
“Not the tribute starting with LiamPayne and videos from his 1D days,” one Directioner posted.
“Liam Payne being first in the Grammy memoriam and having a little video is something I will never get over,” someone else penned.
“enjoying the grammys and then getting hit with the liampayne tribute felt like getting hit by a semi truck,” another viewer remarked.
“We never expected any of this to happen,” Payne marveled at one point of the boy band’s massive fame.CBS
“If you actually sit and think about it, we’ve done some amazing things,” he added.CBS
On Oct. 16, in the midst of an apparent bender, Payne accidentally fell from his third-floor hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina, likely “in a state of semi or total unconsciousness” due to the cocktail of drugs that was found in his system.
He had been traveling with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, who flew back to their home in Florida two days prior.
The musician died on the spot after suffering multiple traumas, including a fractured skull, that led to internal and external bleeding.
In a statement at the time, the “heartbroken” Payne family told the BBC, “Liam will forever live in our hearts, and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
Chris Martin, who was onstage at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, then sang Coldplay’s “All My Love.”Getty Images
Payne (second from left in 2012) fatally fell from his third-floor hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in October 2024.Kevin Kane
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One Direction also publicly mourned his death, telling Page Six in a statement that they were “completely devastated.”
“In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say,” the group added. “But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”
Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son, Bear, whom he shared with his ex-girlfriend Cheryl Cole.
His funeral was held in England’s Home Counties, which is outside of London, in November.
Five people have been charged with crimes connected to his death.
