A letter Liam Payne penned to his 10-year-old self has resurfaced following his tragic death earlier this week.
A British radio host is resharing an emotion, heartfelt letter the former One Direction singer wrote to his younger self when he appeared on the show in 2020, and the letter is “quite sad” and “so poignant” in light of the singer’s unexpected death, per People. Payne passed away on Wednesday (October 16) at just 31 years old after falling several stories from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
“Dear 10-year-old Liam. Get ready! It’s about to get a little bumpy. Cherish every moment with your loved ones right now as there’s only a few more family holidays to enjoy, life is about to turn surreal,” Payne wrote in the letter. “You know that thing you love, singing, keep it up and when you turn fourteen something magical is going to happen and I’m not talking about puberty.”
He continued, “Not only will you audition for one of the biggest shows in the world, but you’ll also meet the future mother of your child. “I know it seems early but just trust me it’s all gonna work out however it’s supposed to. I suggest you watch Back to the Future, it might help. You are now famous and if feels like you’ve peaked way too early you cocky little bugger, but you have barely even started yet. Take it down a notch and remember it’s a marathon not a sprint.”
Payne encouraged his younger self to hold on to his passion for music as he will go on to meet Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik on X-Factor and eventually form the boyband sensation that is One Direction.
“For a while you’ll feel like giving up. But don’t as you’re about to meet four other guys on the same track as you,” he said. “When you first meet them it’s going to be chaos but just remember to enjoy yourself. Stay young at heart as that’s what this point of your life is all about; forgive more and learn to listen. You will have the most amazing time of your life, travel the world and live a life you barely imagined.”
Payne then reflected on his struggles with self-doubt and his solo career after the band following 1D’s indefinite hiatus in 2016, encouraging his younger self to hang on through the “scary” times before eventually welcoming his son Bear with ex Cheryl Cole in 2017.
“Then it will end for a time and you will be left with nothing but the steering wheel. It will feel scary, like you’re alone but you are not. You’re about to start a totally new journey with the most amazing person you’ve met so far, your son Bear,” he said. “Don’t doubt yourself at this Dad thing, just look at all the things you’ve learnt along the way, surely that must mean you have a lot to give.”
The “Strip that Down” singer told him to remember to be grateful for everything he has in his life and that he is doing what he loves.
“Be grateful and try to remember every day you’re doing something you love that took 10 years to build. The first single will skyrocket and you’ll never see it coming but stop with the self-doubt and you’ll be fine,” he said, concluding with a heartbreaking request to “give Mum, Dad and all the family a big hug from me.”
Following his death, tributes began pouring out across social media from fans, friends and colleagues, like Ed Sheeran who said he was “at a loss for words” and Halsey who said they “simply cannot fathom this untimely loss.”
One Direction released a joint statement mourning the death of their “brother,” while each of the members shared their own heartbreaking messages of grief. Tomlinson shared a lengthy message mourning a brother and best friend, ZAYN shared an emotional letter to the late singer, Styles said his “heart breaks” with the loss of his “lovely friend,” and Horan said “it just doesn’t feel real” that his “amazing friend” is gone.
Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son Bear as well as his parents, Karen and Geoff, and his sisters Nicola and Ruth.
