In her first television interview since the tragic death of her boyfriend, Liam Payne, Kate Cassidy appeared on ITV's Lorraine to discuss her ongoing grief and the challenges she faces in accepting his loss.
Payne, the former One Direction star, died at 31 after falling from a balcony in Buenos Aires on October 16, 2024.
Struggling with Acceptance
During the interview, Cassidy became emotional as she spoke about her difficulty in acknowledging Payne's absence. "I find myself talking about him so much in the present tense," she admitted.
"I don't even feel the need to correct myself because that's part of my healing journey. I'm still working on accepting the fact that he's not here anymore, so it's hard for me to refer to him in the past tense." She added, "When I do refer to him in the past tense, it almost stings that little bit more, because it’s more official. I never would have thought that I’d be talking about him in the past tense so it’s definitely really hard to accept."
Coping Mechanisms and Support
Cassidy revealed that some days are particularly challenging, making it difficult for her to get out of bed. However, she emphasized the importance of her support system and daily routines in aiding her healing process.
"I have my better days; I have my harder days," she said. "But I'm surrounded by such a great support system’ which been a huge help as she experienced the ‘first time going through grief and a healing journey."
One significant source of comfort has been her dog, Nala, who encourages her to maintain a routine. ‘But I have this responsibility and this obligation that I am almost in a way … I have no choice. I have to get out of bed (for my dog) Nala and whether it’s a five-minute walk or 20-minute walk first thing in the morning."
Continuing Payne's Legacy
In honor of Payne's openness about mental health, Cassidy has become involved in Lorraine's new mental health campaign, March4March. She believes that participating in this initiative allows her to continue the work Payne was passionate about.
Cherishing memories
Reflecting on their time together, Cassidy described Payne as "one of a kind," noting, "He would light up any room he walked into. His presence was just comforting and warming, and that's something I'll never forget about him."