Louis Tomlinson Reveals He Learned About Liam Payne’s Death from Their One Direction Bandmate Niall Horan

Liam Payne’s death was a difficult time for Louis Tomlinson.

In a new interview on the Diary of a CEO podcast, the “Walls” singer recalled the moment he learned about Payne’s death from their fellow One Direction bandmate Niall Horan.

Tomlinson explained he was “in the car, in L.A.” upon learning Payne died at age 31 on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024 after falling from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina. “I found out through Niall,” he said.

“I had the same feeling that I had with Félicité,” said Tomlinson, referencing his late sister who died suddenly at age 18 in March 2019. “And I think anyone has this when they’re around someone who’s struggling — my 150% wasn’t nearly enough.”

He continued, “And that’s when it’s my own arrogance thinking that I could have helped really, because it was so much deeper than what I could have done for him.”

“He was definitely struggling at that time in his life,” said Tomlinson of Payne.

Following the “Strip That Down” singer’s death, Tomlinson shared a photo of them to Instagram and expressed feeling “beyond devastated” to have “lost a brother,” describing Payne as “such a positive, funny and kind soul.”

Directing his attention toward the late One Direction alum, Tomlinson wrote, “I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye.”

At the time, he added, “I’m so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I’d have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be.”

Elsewhere in the Diary of a CEO conversation, Tomlinson reflected on sharing the emotional tribute post. “When I put up my post about him […] I really wanted him to be remembered the way that he should be remembered,” he said.

“I could just go on and talk all day about how amazing he was, but I think we all looked up to him. I don’t think we would have been brave enough to say at that age when I was in the band, I think I would’ve had too much pride, but we all looked up to him massively,” continued the “Back to You” musician.

Tomlinson’s upcoming album How Did I Get Here? is set for a Jan. 23, 2026 release. The project’s first single, “Lemonade,” is out now.