Nicole Scherzinger pays tribute to Liam Payne 15 years after she helped create One Direction
Nicole Scherzinger has paid tribute to Liam Payne after being one of the last people to text him, hours before he died.
Nicole Scherzinger will "forever remember the meaningful conversations" she had with Liam Payne.
The 46-year-old singer was one of the judges on the UK version 'The X Factor' when she helped put One Direction together in 2010 through the television talent show and following the tragic death of former band member Liam - who passed away earlier this month after falling from a balcony aged just 31 - she has taken to social media to share a tribute to the late singer.
On Friday (25.10.24), she wrote on Instagram: "Dear Liam, I will forever cherish and treasure the time we shared together, from fifteen years ago when One Direction was born, right up until just a few weeks ago.
"It was such a blessing to get to work with you recently. We shared the same love and passion for music and I will forever remember the meaningful and joyful conversations we had.
"It’s been so hard to process that you’re no longer here, but I am grateful to have known your kind heart, sweet soul and character.
"You brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the lives of those that truly knew you. I will 'miss you' my friend and carry you in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with your family."
It was recently revealed that Nicole - who is currently starring as Norma Desmond in a Broadway revival of 'Sunset Boulevard' - had been in touch with Liam Payne on the day he died and still managed to make it on stage shortly after she heard the tragic news.
Theatre guru Andrew Lloyd Webber told Billboard magazine: "One thing about Nicole is that once she’s committed to something, she is the most incredible company member and leader of any performer I know.
"And do you know what? I suppose something that hasn’t been said, and I suppose I could say, is that of course she mentored Liam, from One Direction.
"On the Wednesday when he died, she was still texting him that day, and [that evening] the reviewers came in [to 'Sunset'], she’d just heard that he died.
"And the fact that she even did the show at all is extraordinary. I mean she is an amazing, amazing woman."
