Niall Horan has opened up about the final conversation he had with his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne, describing the loss as something that 'still feels surreal'. The Mullingar-born singer, 30, shared the deeply personal reflection during a recent interview, marking the first time he has spoken publicly in detail about Payne's death.
Payne, 31, died in October 2024 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The tragedy sent shockwaves through the music world and prompted an outpouring of grief from fans and fellow artists. Horan, who rose to fame alongside Payne on The X Factor in 2010, said the pair had remained in touch and had spoken not long before the incident.
'It still doesn't feel real,' Horan said. 'We had a good conversation, just catching up like we always did. There was no sign anything was wrong. That's what makes it so hard to process.' The singer did not disclose the exact content of their exchange but emphasised that it was a warm and positive interaction.
One Direction, one of the most successful British boy bands in history, sold over 70 million records worldwide. Following Payne's death, the surviving members — Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik — released a joint statement expressing their devastation. The group had been on an indefinite hiatus since 2016, with all members pursuing solo careers.
The tragedy has reignited conversations around mental health support in the music industry. Several UK organisations, including the Music Support charity and the BAFTA-backed mental health initiative, have called for better safeguarding for artists. Payne had spoken openly in the past about his struggles with fame, addiction and mental health.
Fans and fellow musicians have continued to pay tribute to Payne. A memorial service is expected to take place in the UK later this year, though no details have been confirmed by his family. Horan's comments serve as a poignant reminder of the personal toll behind public loss.