A letter that Liam Payne wrote to his "10-year-old self" has resurfaced following his death, and it is heartbreaking.
Payne, 31, tragically passed away on October 16 after falling from a third-floor balcony in Argentina.
Liam Payne tragically died at the age of 31. Credit: Slaven Vlasic / Getty
The One Direction star had been staying at the Hotel CasaSur in Buenos Aires, having previously been in the country with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy.
Cassidy had left Argentina a couple of days prior as she wanted to return home.
It was reported that the hotel had called the police prior to the incident regarding an "aggressive man who may have been under the effects of drugs and alcohol."
The manager reportedly told the call operator that the guest "has a balcony, and we are afraid they might do something to put their life at risk".
As many across the world mourn Payne's loss, a letter that he wrote in 2020 has resurfaced.
The letter, shared by BBC Radio 2, was written to his 10-year-old self and is all the more poignant following his tragic death.
Payne found fame in One Direction. Credit: Fred Duval / Getty
In the letter, Payne wrote to his younger self:
"Get Ready, it’s about to get a little bumpy. Cherish every moment with your loved ones right now, as there’s only a few more family holidays to enjoy, life is about to turn surreal. You know that thing you love, singing, keep it up, when you turn 14, something magical is going to happen, and I’m not talking about puberty. Not only will you audition for one of the biggest music shows in the world, but you’ll also meet the future mother of your child (then-X Factor judge, Cheryl Tweedy).
"I know it seems early, but just trust me, it’s all going to work out however it’s supposed to. I suggest you watch Back To The Future, it might help. You are now famous, and it feels like you’ve peaked way too early, you cocky little bugger, but you barely even started yet, take it down a notch, and remember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Let me tell you this isn’t even base camp, and for a while, you’ll feel like giving up, but don’t as you’re about to meet four of the guys on the same track as you.
"When you first meet them, it’s going to be chaos, but just remember to enjoy yourself, stay young at heart as that’s what this point in your life is all about."
He continued: "Forgive more and learn to listen, you’ll have the most amazing time of your life, travel the world and live a life you barely imagined. Then it will end for a while, and you will left with nothing but the steering wheel. It will feel scary, like you’re alone, but you are not.
"You’re about to start a total new journey with the most amazing person you met so far, your son Bear."
He went on to advise his 10-year-old self not to "doubt yourself with this dad thing", adding: "You have a lot to give."
Payne finished: "Be grateful and try to remember every day you’re doing something you love, that took 10 years to build. The first single will skyrocket and you’ll never see it coming, you’ll stop with the self-doubt and you’ll be fine. Give mum, dad, and all the family, a big hug from me."
Our thoughts remain with all those grieving Payne's tragic passing.
Payne was tragically pronounced dead after having suffered injuries "incompatible with life".
His body had been held in Argentina pending an autopsy and toxicology tests, but has since been released to his family for repatriation to the UK, where he will be laid to rest.
Further toxicology and laboratory tests were also undertaken to establish the circumstances that led to Payne's death, with the results yet to be confirmed.
Payne fell from a third-floor hotel balcony in Argentina. Credit: Tobias Skarlovnik / Getty
The star's father, Geoff Payne, had traveled to Argentina after news of his son's death broke and had remained in the country until he was able to bring him back to the UK.
Payne's body is set to be repatriated to the UK for a funeral, however, fans have urged others not to turn up to attend it in person.
Fans have been leaving floral tributes, balloons, cards, and photos of Payne at a church where his funeral is believed to be being held.
Several fan-organized memorials have also taken place around the world to pay tribute to the star.
Many have taken to X (formerly Twitter) to urge others not to attend the main funeral, in order to allow Payne's family and bandmates to grieve in peace.
Fans have held memorials around the world since Payne's death. Credit: Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images
They wrote: "A reminder to everyone thinking of going to Liam's funeral. A few articles have stated how the funeral will be private and low-key so please, let his loved ones mourn in peace and privacy. Memorials were for the fans, his funeral is for the people who knew him personally."
Another added: "Liam is finally home and in a way that's comforting to know. He's finally in peace. - Just a reminder that his funeral is not a public event and it's not right to go there. It's important to remember that."
Others wrote: "This is a friendly reminder if you plan on attending Liam Payne funeral DONT it’s for family and close friends ONLY you don’t have the right as a fan to attend so get that idea out your head THANKS," and: "Now that Liam Payne is finally in his way home I don’t wanna see a single one of you trying to get sneak into the funeral. For f**ks sake that is the biggest violation of privacy and if you do that you are not a fan. You’re a weirdo. Let him rest and let his family grieve."
Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy had left Argentina two days before he died. Credit: Dave Benett / Getty Images
Payne had been in Argentina with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy, who'd left the country two days before his death.
The singer had met up with One Direction bandmate Niall Horan and attended one of the singer's shows just days beforehand.
Reports suggest that Payne's family is plannign to hold a "huge" memorial service for the singer, with many of his celebrity friends expected to attend to pay their last respects to the 'Strip That Down' star.
Payne is survived by his mother, father, and two sisters, as well as his seven-year-old son, Bear, who he shared with ex-girlfriend Cheryl Cole.
Liam Payne's family have released a statement regarding the sudden passing of the 31-year-old.
Payne was reported dead on October 16 after he tragically fell from a third-floor balcony at the Hotel CasaSur in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Payne was only 31 at the time of his death. Credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage/Getty
Despite authorities being on the scene quickly, Payne's injuries were so severe that he was unable to be revived.
It was reported that the hotel had called the police prior to the incident regarding an unnamed male guest. The manager reportedly told the call operator that the guest "has a balcony, and we are afraid they might do something to put their life at risk".
There is currently no confirmation that this call was regarding Payne.
Liam Payne tragically died in Argentina. Credit: Slaven Vlasic / Getty
As fans grapple with the tragic news, the One Direction star's family has released a statement, via Sky News.
"We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul," they said.
"We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."
Tributes have flooded in for the star, with fellow musician Charlie Puth taking to his Instagram story to pay his condolences.
"I am in shock right now. Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone," he said.
Charlie Puth paying his respects to Liam Payne. Credit: Charlie Puth/Instagram
Puth followed up his message with a video of Payne presenting him with a t-shirt, and then a selfie of the pair of them.
The Backstreet Boys also released a statement saying: "Words can not express the emotions we are collectively feeling right now, and it seems like the rest of the world is in the same boat.
"Our hearts go out to Liam’s family, friends, and Directioners around the world. Rest in peace brother."
Payne leaves behind a seven-year-old son, Bear, who he shares with singer Cheryl.
The star began his career on the X Factor in 2008 when he was 14.
Although he made it to the judge's houses, he was advised by Simon Cowell to return two years later, which he did.
During his second stint on the show, he was grouped with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik to form One Direction.
The band went on to become one of the biggest boy bands in the world before each member left to forge successful solo careers.
Our thoughts remain with Payne's loved ones and fans during this time.
Warning: This article contains details that some readers will find upsetting.
Last week, it was tragically announced that Liam Payne had passed away suddenly at the age of 31.
Liam Payne tragically died at the age of 31. Credit: Slaven Vlasic / Getty
The former One Direction singer had been staying at the CasaSur hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
During his time in the country, he attended a concert of former 1D bandmate, Niall Horan, along with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy. The couple seemed in good spirits as Payne shared footage of them dancing at the concern on his social media pages, and later shared selfies with Horan.
Liam had attended one of Niall's concerts. Credit: Snapchat/LiamPayne
Sadly, two days after Cassidy left the country, the heartbreaking news broke that Payne had died following a fall from the balcony of his third-floor hotel room.
Despite authorities attending to the singer promptly, Payne's injuries were so severe that first responders stated that there had been "no possibility of resuscitation".
The singer's father, Geoff, has since traveled to the city for the recognition of the body and to arrange its repatriation.
The results of Payne's preliminary autopsy were released on Thursday, detailing that the singer suffered severe injuries that led to “internal and external hemorrhaging” from the fall, according to a post-mortem carried out by two forensic pathologists in Buenos Aires.
Alberto Crescenti, head of the Buenos Aires emergency services, previously revealed Payne had a "cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries that led to his immediate death".
Tributes have poured in for the singer. Credit: Andrew Chin/Getty
With tributes pouring in for the singer, authorities in Argentina have released more details regarding Payne's tragic death.
In a statement to AP, authorities confirmed that medics confirmed Payne's death at the scene, adding that he had suffered "extremely serious injuries".
Forensic experts later concluded that "the 25 injuries described in the autopsy are compatible with those caused by a fall from a height".
Additionally, the Public Prosecutor's Office has said in a statement: "The head injuries were sufficient to cause death, while the internal and external hemorrhages in the skull, chest, abdomen and limbs contributed to the mechanism of death."
It adds that police were already arriving at the hotels following emergency calls just after 5:00PM from a hotel manager expressing concerns about the safety of an unnamed male guest.
In the official statement, police authorities state that the 31-year-old had "jumped from the balcony of his room", with forensic experts detailing that Payne had no "defensive type" injuries and that his wounds were "vital and produced at the same time as each other".
Credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis / Getty
The Buenos Aires police also said in its statement that the singer's hotel room was "in complete disarray".
According to Argentinian outlet La Nacion, per AP, authorities are ruling out "the intervention of third parties". That being said, Argentine prosecutors said on Thursday that they are investigating the events leading up to the singer's death, which they described as "suspicious" - citing potential drug and alcohol use.
Per The Mirror, the singer's body is expected to remain in Argentina for a further 10 to 15 days, until the results of toxicological tests are known. The outlet adds that Payne's medical history may be requested to analyze his mental health history.
As authorities await the results, the singer's tragic death is currently deemed "inconclusive" by Argentina's National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor's Office, according to a report from the Daily Mail.
Payne was 1/5 of the popular boyband One Direction. Credit: Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty
Following Payne's death, each of his One Direction bandmates have shared a heartfelt tribute to the singer - they can all be read in full, here.
Our thoughts continue to go out the Payne's family, friends, and fans at this time.
Liam Payne's girlfriend has issued a statement following the former One Direction star's tragic death.
Credit: Stephane Cardinale - Corbis / Getty
On Wednesday (October 16), it was reported that Payne had tragically died at the age of 31 after a tragic fall at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
The singer had been staying at the CasaSur hotel, with staff making a call to the emergency services expressing concern for an unnamed male guest, per BBC News.
As police arrived at the scene, they were informed that a guest - who was later identified as Payne - had tragically fallen from their third floor room balcony and landed in the hotel's interior courtyard.
Payne suffered multiple serious injuries, with first responders stating there had been "no possibility of resuscitation".
Fans gathered outside of Payne's hotel to mourn. Credit: Luciano Gonzalez/Anadolu/Getty
Following the heartbreaking news, tributes have poured in on social media in honor of Payne - who was once part of arguably one of the biggest music acts in the history of the industry.
Now, Payne's girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, has issued a statement to fans.
The couple had been in Argentina for roughly two weeks, per social media posts they both shared, as they attended former One Direction member Niall Horan's concert. Cassidy - a social media influencer - revealed in a video shared to TikTok that she left the country two days prior to Payne's heartbreaking death.
"Honestly, I love South America but I hate staying in one place for too long and we were supposed to be there for like five days and it turned into two weeks and I was just like I need to go home," she said in the video.
Payne and Cassidy. Credit: Darren Gerrish/Getty
Taking to Instagram to share a message on Friday, Cassidy wrote: "Thank you for all the kind words and love that has been sent my way. I have been at a complete loss," she wrote.
"Nothing about the past few days have felt real. I ask and pray that you'll give me the grace and space to navigate this in private.
"Liam, my angel. You are everything. I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. I love you Liam."
Cassidy shared a heartfelt tribute with fans. Credit: Instagram/@kateecass
Payne and Cassidy had been together for two years.
The singer's family have also have also issued a brief statement following the tragic news, stating: "We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.
"We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."
Our thoughts continue to go out to Payne's family, friends, and fans at this time.
Following the heartbreaking news of Liam Payne's sudden and tragic passing, each of his former One Direction bandmates have now penned a touching tribute to the star.
Credit: Mike Marsland/WireImage/Getty
On Wednesday (October 16), it was reported that Payne had tragically died at the age of 31 after a tragic fall at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Payne had been staying at the Hotel CasaSur, when he suffered a fatal fall from a third floor room balcony.
The BBC reports that the head of Buenos Aires's SAME emergency medical service, Alberto Crescenti, told local television that Payne had suffered "very serious injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall" and there was "no possibility of resuscitation".
According to reports, the results of Payne's preliminary autopsy have been confirmed, stating that the singer suffered severe injuries that led to “internal and external hemorrhaging” from the fall.
Further tests are currently ongoing amid the investigation into the circumstances of his death.
As fans, friends, and family alike have all paid tribute to the star, so have Payne's former bandmates - with whom he helped create one of the most successful groups in the history of the music industry: One Direction.
Payne found fame in One Direction. Credit: Fred Duval / Getty
Here are the full individual statements from each member.
Louis Tomlinson:
Credit: Samir Hussein/Redferns/Getty
I am beyond devastated to be writing this but yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul.
I first met Liam when he was 16 and I was 18, I was instantly amazed by his voice but more importantly as time went on I got a chance to see the kind brother I’d longed all my life for.
Liam was an incredible song writer with a great sense of melody, we often spoke of getting back in the studio together to try and recreate the writing chemistry we had built up in the band.
And for the record, Liam was in my opinion the most vital part of One Direction. His experience from a young age, his perfect pitch, his stage presence, his gift for writing. The list goes on. Thank you for shaping us Liam.
A message to you Liam if you’re listening,
I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I’m really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye. 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.
I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was.
I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you.
Payno, my boy, one of my best friends, my brother, I love you mate. Sleep well X
Zayn Malik:
Credit: Stefania D'Alessandro / Getty
Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can't help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives.
I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.
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 [expletive]s about telling people when they were wrong.
Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it.
When it came to the music Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense. I knew nothing in comparison, was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional. I was always happy to know, no matter what happened on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next.
I lost a brother when you left us and can't explain to you what I'd give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly. I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, 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 and you know how loved you are.
His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it.
Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious. He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend.
My heart breaks for Karen, Geoff, Nicola and Ruth, his son Bear, and all those around the world who knew and loved him, as I did.
Niall Horan:
Credit: Snapchat/LiamPayne
I'm absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn't feel real.
Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.
All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness. We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn't happen often in a litetime.
I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn't know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It's heartbreaking.
My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear.
Thank you for everything, Payno.
Love you brother.
Nialler
One Direction - Group Statement:
One Direction. Credit: Mark Metcalfe / Getty
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.
Louis, Zayn, Niall and Harry.
Credit: Dave J Hogan/Getty
Payne had originally auditioned for The X Factor back in 2008, but was asked by Simon Cowell to come back two years later.
As fate would have it, it would set Liam on the path to becoming one of the most successful names in modern pop music.
During his 2010 stint on the reality show, Payne was grouped with four other solo contestants to form a new boy band. Along with Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, the five-piece became One Direction - a group that would go on to change the landscape of modern pop music.
The group quickly gained popularity in the UK and abroad, and although they ended up finishing third in the competition, Simon Cowell would sign them to his Syco Records following the show.
They released their debut album, Up All Night in 2011, which became a top seller in multiple countries.
Payne (second right) found global fame as a member of One Direction. Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images for Clear Channel
One Direction went on to have a multitude of number one albums and singles across the globe over the years - with some comparing their popularity to that of "BeetleMania" in the 60s.
Following One Direction's hiatus in 2016, Payne embarked on a solo career. He signed a deal with Republic Records in North America, and his debut single 'Strip That Down' featuring Quavo, released in 2017, was a commercial success. It marked his emergence as a solo artist with a more R&B and pop sound, distinct from the pop rock style of One Direction.
Our thoughts continue to go out to Payne's family, friends, and fans at this time.