Zayn Malik is ‘in absolute bits’ over the shocking death of former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne.
News hit the internet that Liam had tragically died on Wednesday night at the age of 31, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Now, someone close to his ex-groupmate Zayn, 31, has revealed how the Pillowtalk artist has reacted to the horrific news.
An American music producer who works with One Direction’s Zayn exclusively told DailyMail.com that the singer is ‘shocked’ by Liam’s sudden death.
They added that Zayn’s loved ones “don’t want him to be alone” right now, so he is “surrounded by his friends.”
Zayn Malik is ‘in absolute bits’ over the shocking death of former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne
“Zayn was notified in the early hours of this morning and things are in complete turmoil,” they said.
‘He is in shock and his parents have been in contact with Liam’s family to offer their support and condolences.
“People close to Zayn don’t want him to be alone right now, so he’s surrounded by friends.”
They said it had been “a while since Zayn and Liam had spoken” due to “issues they had with each other in the past.”
“But they respected each other from a distance,” the insider explained. ‘They didn’t hate each other, but they couldn’t agree on several things.
“But they both felt like they were being exploited in the music industry.”
DailyMail.com has reached out to Zayn for comment.
Zayn and Liam were placed in the band One Direction along with Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson after auditioning as solo artists on the X Factor in 2010.
News hit the internet that Liam had tragically died on Wednesday night at the age of 31, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as seen above
Now, someone who is close to his ex-groupmate Zayn, 31, has revealed how the Pillowtalk artist has reacted to the horrific news
An American music producer who currently works with Zayn exclusively told DailyMail.com that he is ‘shocked’ by Liam’s sudden death
The group became a huge success, releasing five wildly popular albums, dominating the charts, breaking multiple records and embarking on numerous sold-out world tours.
Zayn famously left the band in 2015, and in 2016 he said he was “closest to Liam” when asked about his relationship with his former bandmates.
“Zayn was notified in the early hours of this morning and things are in complete turmoil,” they said. “He’s in shock.” One of Liam’s last selfies in Buenos Aires can be seen
“I’m probably still the closest to Liam. We talk on the phone. He congratulated me on my single. That was fun. I congratulated him on his Brit Award,” he said at the time.
However, in 2022, it seemed like their relationship had become strained, as Liam confessed during an appearance on a podcast: “There are a lot of reasons why I hate Zayn.
“But there are many reasons why I will always be by his side,” he added.
Liam was declared dead after falling 45 feet from the third floor into a courtyard of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires.
Authorities said he died instantly from multiple injuries, including a skull fracture.
Argentine media reported that police had been called to the hotel in advance due to reports of an aggressive man believed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
A hotel employee called twice and said in the first case: ‘We have a guest who is crazy on drugs and destroys everything in his room. Someone has to come.’
Liam was declared dead after falling 45 feet (13 meters) from the third floor into a courtyard (seen) of the Casa Sur Hotel in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires
Argentine media reported that police had been called to the hotel in advance due to reports of an aggressive man believed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Liam had arrived in Argentina earlier this month for his ex-bandmate Niall Horan’s concert with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy
He then called again and added, “I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger. The room has a balcony and we are afraid he will do something.’
Liam allegedly ‘behaved erratically in the hotel lobby and broke his laptop’ before having to be ‘carried back to his room’, local media reported.
She left two days ago, explaining in a TikTok video that she “had to go home,” but he remained alone in the South American country
The singer’s family told DailyMail.com afterwards that they were ‘totally devastated’ by his death.
‘We are devastated. Liam will live on in our hearts forever and we will remember him for his kind, funny and courageous soul,” she added in a statement.
‘We support each other as a family as best we can and ask for privacy and space during this terrible time.’
Liam had arrived in Argentina earlier this month for his ex-bandmate Niall’s concert with his girlfriend Kate Cassidy.
She left two days ago, explaining in a TikTok video that she “had to go home,” but he remained alone in the South American country.
His shocking death comes days after his ex-fiancée Maya Henry started legal proceedings against him.
She reportedly served Liam with a cease and desist order last week after accusing him of repeatedly contacting her.