Liam Payne Was 'Very Misunderstood' and 'Just Wanted To Be Liked,' Former One Direction Bandmate Claims

Nearly a year after Liam Payne's tragic death, his former bandmate Louis Tomlinson is setting the record straight about the public's perception of him.

In the months before his unfortunate fall from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Payne faced backlash following his comments about his time with his former band, One Direction. 

However, Tomlinson isn't letting the critics have the final word, choosing instead to reflect on who Payne truly was.

In a recent interview, Tomlinson shared that he felt it necessary to defend Payne's reputation when he paid tribute to him a day after his death.

The statement was not just to mourn his friend, but to challenge the image that had been unfairly shaped after Payne's 2022 appearance on Logan Paul's “Impaulsive podcast.”

At that time, Tomlinson wrote on his social media that Payne was the “most vital part” of the group, praising his incredible talents and experience. 

Speaking on Payne’s character, the former “X Factor” judge recently told Rolling Stone that people who truly knew Payne understood that the criticism he faced wasn't fair, as he had only pure intentions but couldn’t communicate them effectively.

When asked what fans might not know about Payne, Louis described him as “a very misunderstood person, from a public perspective.”

For the “Just Hold On” hitmaker, most criticism or judgment directed at Payne's actions was misplaced. He said, “If there is ever any judgment on his character, I think nine times out of 10, you can reflect on that, and the reflection is that he was someone who just wanted to be liked.”

The “Back to You” singer continued with a reflection on how the group celebrated their 15th anniversary earlier this year, but he found it especially painful because it was the first one without Payne.

He explained that usually, during past anniversaries, he would feel a sense of nostalgia surrounding the band, but this time, it felt completely different. The milestone brought up deep emotions of sadness, frustration, and a sense of unfairness that Liam was no longer alive to share it with them.

Tomlinson admitted that coping with the loss was incredibly difficult, even though he had faced grief before, saying nothing could have prepared him for losing a close friend. "I've never lost a friend before," he shared.

Payne's passing deeply affected not only Tomlinson but the entire group. As reported by The Blast, the tragedy has brought them closer together.

After years of staying apart and only speaking occasionally since their 2016 hiatus, the members have started checking in on one another more frequently, rebuilding their bond and growing stronger as friends.

A reunion performance was already in discussion, and despite the heartbreaking loss, they reportedly still plan to move forward with it, this time with a renewed purpose to honor Payne’s memory.

Meanwhile, the late 31-year-old left behind an estate worth £28.5 million but did not leave a will.  His ex-partner, Cheryl Tweedy, and their son, Bear, are expected to inherit the fortune, while it remains unclear whether his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, will receive anything.

According to The Blast, court documents show that Tweedy has been granted legal authority to manage the estate, which was later reduced to £24.28 million after debts and expenses were settled.

With no directives in place, UK intestacy laws will determine how Payne's assets are distributed. Typically, the estate goes to a spouse or next of kin, meaning in this case, his son Bear is expected to receive the majority, while Cassidy may not be entitled to any share.

Before passing on, Payne had been reconnecting with his musical roots in what would become his final TV appearance. He served as a guest judge on the music competition series “Building the Band.”

The trailer for the show was released back in May, with The Blast reporting that the show captures Payne’s passion for discovering and mentoring new artists, something that mirrors his own journey.

In the teaser, the “Strip That Down” singer appeared healthy and in good spirits, offering advice and honest feedback to contestants tasked with forming bands based solely on vocal chemistry.