Zayn Malik honored the memory of his beloved former bandmate Liam Payne during the opening night of his highly anticipated Stairway to the Sky tour on Saturday, November 23. This touching tribute took place as the fans captured heartfelt moments through photos and videos at the O2 Academy Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. The emotional homage was dedicated to Payne, who tragically passed away at the young age of 31 after a devastating fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 16.

As Malik serenaded the audience with his 2024 track Room Under the Stairs, the screen behind him displayed a poignant homage that read: “Liam Payne 1993-2024 Love You bro,” beautifully embellished with a large red heart beneath it. This tribute served as a powerful reminder of their deep camaraderie and the love shared among bandmates, resonating deeply with fans who cherished their journey together.

Just three days prior to the launch of his tour, Malik attended Payne’s funeral, where he stood alongside fellow One Direction members Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan to pay their respects. The former bandmates collectively expressed their sorrow through solemn statements, emphasizing their profound grief over Payne’s sudden passing, stating, “We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”

In light of this tragic event, Malik made the difficult decision to postpone the commencement of his first official solo tour, reflecting the impact of Payne’s passing on his emotional state and the significance of their friendship.

To date, the Argentinian National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office has initiated charges against three individuals linked to Payne’s untimely death; however, the identities of these suspects have not been disclosed publicly. An autopsy revealed that Payne suffered from severe internal and external bleeding along with multiple traumatic injuries resulting from the fall. A translated version of the toxicology report indicated that, in the days before his death, Payne reportedly had “alcohol, cocaine, and prescription antidepressants” present in his system, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding this tragic event.

For those interested, you can view a heartfelt picture of the tribute below.