‘Heartbreaking’: Zayn Malik’s huge personal announcement after Liam Payne’s death

Zayn Malik has made a significant decision in the wake of his One Direction bandmate Liam Payne’s tragic death.

Zayn Malik has announced he is postponing a portion of his tour following the “heartbreaking loss” of his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne.

“Given the heartbreaking loss experienced this week, I’ve made the decision to postpone the US leg of the Stairway To The Sky Tour,” the musician wrote on his Instagram Story on Saturday.

“The dates are being rescheduled for January and I’ll post them as soon as it’s all set in the next few days. Your tickets will remain valid for the new dates.

“Love you all and thank you for your understanding.”

Malik, 31, had announced his first-ever solo tour last month, which was scheduled to kick off on October 23 in San Francisco, and finish up on December 3 in Newcastle, England.

It followed the release of his fourth solo album, Room Under The Stairs, in May.

Malik and the rest of the former members of their band were left devastated following news of Payne’s death last Wednesday.

The 31-year-old fell three stories from his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and died instantly from multiple traumas, including a fractured skull and internal and external bleeding.

Malik shared an emotional tribute to Payne, describing him as a “brother”. Picture: Instagram

Malik shared this announcement in the wake of Payne’s death. Picture: Instagram

Earlier this week, Malik shared an emotional statement about the death of his “brother”.

“I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life,” Malik wrote.

“When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.

“Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f**ks about telling people when they were wrong.

“When it came to the music Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense. I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.”

Malik added that he wished he could give Payne a hug “one last time.”

“There is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace.”

According to TMZ, local authorities confirmed on Friday that Payne was under the influence of a hallucinogenic drug called “cristal” when he died, which may have led to his fall.

The eerie and entire phone call between a concerned hotel worker who flagged he was “afraid” for Payne’s life and an emergency responder was also released in the days following his death.

One Direction’s Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Harry Styles. Picture: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

Reuters reported on the recording and translated the call into English, where an anonymous hotel employee who works at CasaSur rang and flagged that Payne was being destructive.

“When he is conscious, he is breaking the whole room,” he said.

“We need you to send someone please.”

When the emergency responder asked if Payne was under the influence of alcohol or drugs the hotel worker replied, “Yes that is correct”.

“We need to you send someone urgently because well, I don’t know if the guest’s life is at risk. He has a room with a balcony,” he said.

“We are a little afraid he will do something that will put his life at risk.”

Payne’s body was found a short time later.

The singer leaves behind a seven-year-old son, Bear, whom he shares with his ex-partner, British singer Cheryl Cole.

One of the last photos of Payne, taken by a fan in Argentina. Picture: Supplied

Early fame

Payne had his first taste of fame in 2008 when he appeared on The X Factor UK as a 14-year-old.

“When I’m at school, in general, I think about singing all the time,” Payne told producers before his audition.

“I should really be concentrating on my work, but I just think about singing too much. It’s a dream and I’d love to do it.”

However, while he impressed the judges in the early stages, he was ultimately eliminated by Simon Cowell as the competition progressed.

Two years later, he returned to the show and was placed in a band with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson, marking his big break – and the start of One Direction.

They went on to become one of the biggest pop groups in the world, releasing five albums, embarking on four world tours, and starring in a film.

Payne at the MTV Europe awards in 2017. Picture: Daniel Leal/AFP

Five years later, Malik’s departure from the group marked the beginning of the end, with the band announcing an indefinite hiatus in 2016.

“It was a little bit dark and twisted towards the end of it,” Payne told The Guardian in 2019 of the band’s split.

“But the last few shows were really beautiful moments because the pressure cooker had been let off. It was almost like counting down to holiday … we were going to wake up that Monday morning with no schedule.”

Things became tough for Payne, who decided to undergo therapy for more than two years after the band split.

“It was difficult at the start, because I didn’t really know anything about myself. It was a bit of a numb feeling.”

Public struggles

Payne later revealed he had struggled with addiction and mental health issues during his time in One Direction and in the years that followed.

He had checked himself into rehab for alcohol abuse at least twice.

During a 2021 appearance on The Diary of a CEO podcast, he spoke openly about hitting “rock bottom”.

“I was worried how far my rock bottom was going to be. Where’s rock bottom for me? And you would never have seen it. I’m very good at hiding it. No one would ever have seen it,” Payne admitted.

‘Heartbroken’ family release statement

The singer’s devastated family released a statement on Thursday, hours after his tragic death.

“We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul,” his loved ones said.

“We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”

- with the NY Post