Jade Thirlwall is paying heartfelt tribute to fellow X Factor alum Liam Payne, remembering the special bond they shared in the early days of their careers. Appearing on ITV’s The Assembly on May 4, the Little Mix star opened up about how Liam became her first friend in the music industry, calling him “so lovely” and “destined to be a star.”
Thirlwall and Payne both auditioned for The X Factor UK in 2010. While Thirlwall was eliminated before the live shows, Payne’s journey continued as he became a member of One Direction, ultimately finishing third in the competition. Thirlwall returned the following year and was placed into the girl group Little Mix, which went on to win the show.
“He Had the X Factor”
During the interview, Thirlwall reflected on the impression Payne left on everyone around him at the time. “He was obviously very talented. He really wanted to make his family proud, which he did,” she shared. “I remember everyone who was on the show at the time saying, ‘This person’s a star.’ You could tell — he literally had the X factor. He was destined to be a musician and a singer.” Thirlwall emphasized that her connection with Payne was formed during a pivotal and emotional time in their lives, as both navigated the pressures of chasing dreams at such a young age.
Honoring a Heartbreaking Loss
Liam Payne tragically passed away on October 16 after falling from multiple stories at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was just 31 years old. Following the confirmation of his death, Thirlwall took to Instagram Stories to honor her late friend and express her grief.
“The news of Liam’s passing is truly heartbreaking,” she wrote.
“We fell out of touch as the years went by, but back in 2008 he was the first friend I made in this industry. Both of us so young, so ambitious, both hoping we’d ‘make it’. I hope you are at peace now ❤️.”A Sister’s Ongoing Grief
Last month, Payne’s sister, Ruth Gibbins, marked six months since his death with an emotional message on social media. Her words painted a vivid picture of the sorrow she continues to carry.
“My head is still screaming for you,” she wrote.
“Living without you is impossible, so for now, I exist.”Ruth also shared that she’s working through her grief by embracing the love they shared, even as the pain lingers.
“Love you so much more than these words or my tears are capable of expressing but I know you know this. For now, I’ll meet you in my dreams.”
As tributes continue to pour in from family, friends, and fans, Liam Payne’s legacy as a beloved artist and kind soul lives on. For Jade Thirlwall and many others, his presence made a lasting impact — not only on the music world but on the hearts of those who knew him best.