Harry Styles breaks silence on Liam Payne's tragic death - 'It's so difficult'

Liam, who was in One Direction with Harry, died aged 31 on 16 October 2024, after falling from a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina

March 4, 2026Mar 4, 2026, 6:00 PM GMT

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Former One Direction star Harry Styles has opened up about the death of his bandmate, Liam Payne.

Liam sadly died on 16 October 2024 after falling to his death from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, at the age of 31. Now in a new conversation with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Harry, 32, has opened up about Liam's death ahead of the release of his new album, Kiss All The Time, Disco, Occasionally, on Friday.

Liam and Harry met on the X-factor where they were put into boyband One Direction

When asked about Liam's death, Harry said: "Full transparency, it's like something that I, even the idea of talking about it, I struggle with that a little bit even.

"I think there was a period when he passed away, where I really struggled with kind of like acknowledging how strange it is to have people kind of like own part of your grief in a way.

Liam formed One Direction in 2010 alongside Niall Horran, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik — One Direction was formed in 2010

"I have such strong feelings around my friend passing away, and then suddenly being, you know, like aware of there’s maybe like a desire from other people of you to convey that in some way, or it means you’re not feeling what you’re feeling or something, you know?

"It's so difficult to lose a friend. It’s difficult to lose any friend, but it’s so difficult to lose a friend who is so like you in so many ways. It’s like, I saw someone with the kindest heart who just wanted to be great."

Both Harry and Liam had successful careers after One Direction split

Harry continued: "It was a really important moment for me in terms of taking a look at my life and being able to say to myself, ‘OK, what do I want to do with my life? How do I want to live my life?'"

"And I think the greatest way you can honour your friends who pass away is by living your life to the fullest. Like super special person and really sad."

Liam's legacy

Liam's funeral, held in November 2024 in Buckinghamshire, was attended by Cheryl, the mother of his son Bear, and fellow One Direction stars Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson, Simon Cowell and Liam's friends and family.

Harry attended Liam's funeral alongside his fellow One Direction band members

After One Direction went on a hiatus, he launched a successful solo career, releasing his debut solo album, LP1, in December 2019, which included the songs Polaroid and Strip That Down featuring Quavo, as well as the track For You with Rita Ora.