‘What happened?’: Fans shocked by Liam Payne’s new look

Fans are both confused and concerned about “what happened” to One Direction star Liam Payne after his latest red carpet appearance.

Liam Payne at an event this week.

Fans are both confused and concerned about “what happened” to Liam Payne after his latest red carpet appearance.

The singer looked noticeably different on Thursday as he attended his former One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson’s All of Those Voices documentary premiere in London.

Payne’s jawline appeared sharper than it has in the past, and his cheekbones were also more defined.

A new-look Liam Payne. Picture: Kate Green/Getty

Dressed in a white blazer with black accents and a pair of black pants, he posed for photos with his new girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, but social media users paid more attention to the former boy bander’s looks than his date.

“Omggggggg what happened to Liam?” one person commented under an Instagram post of Payne, 29, and Cassidy, 23, on the red carpet.

Liam had a noticeably razor-sharp jawline. Picture: Getty

With girlfriend Kate Cassidy. Picture: Kate Green/Getty

“Liam and his girlfriend probably have their dates [at] a beauty clinic, so they can have the opportunity to get a s**tload of fillers and Botox together,” another quipped.

“Did Liam also got [sic] on the buccal fat removal trend????” someone else asked, referring to a plastic surgery popular among celebrities like Chrissy Teigen that helps thin the cheek area.

“So good to see them together. Liam looks really smart, but so thin. His face is gaunt,” one alarmed fan tweeted.

“Liam Payne has had a full face job, respect it,” another speculated.

was nobody going to tell me about liam payne’s buccal fat removal??? pic.twitter.com/Tc65qrDm2Z

— meg (@_baby_whalee) March 13, 2023

However, many Directioners rushed to Payne’s defence, calling him “hot” and “beautiful as always.” Others pointed out that the singer previously described himself as “bloated” while struggling with alcohol and pills, which he has since kicked.

Payne (right) with his former bandmate Louis Tomlinson.

Payne shared a photo from the event via Instagram on Friday as he gushed about reuniting with Tomlinson, 31, while also expressing his intention to “make amends” with his former bandmates.

Payne praised his former bandmate’s new film after the premiere. Picture: Kate Green/Getty

“My neck hurts from how much Im [sic] looking up to you right now you were already my friend and brother but getting to look through that window into your world and mind I just extends that respect I have for you,” he wrote after seeing Tomlinson’s upcoming film.

Payne even apologised for not being “better” to his friend, whom he met in 2010 when One Direction was formed.

Liam in his One Direction days. Picture: Getty

At this week’s premiere. Picture: Getty

“I feel ashamed in those moments to not be as good of a friend as you have been to me, at least I have time now and I’m me again so will try and make amends,” he continued.

Payne also thanked Tomlinson for being one of the few people who “literally saved my life” and “dragged me out of something so dark I’ve never shared it.”

“Thank you Louis and congratulations you deserve all these moments, every sight you get to see, every cheer that you hear and all the love you are receiving from the world,” he concluded. “You worked harder than any of us to get here and now the world gets to see that from your side.”

Payne has not addressed fans’ concerns about his appearance.

This story originally appeared on Page Six and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as ‘What happened?’: Fans shocked by Liam Payne’s new look