Almost a 12 months after Liam Payne‘s tragic demise, his former bandmate Louis Tomlinson is setting the file straight concerning the public’s notion of him.

Within the months earlier than his unlucky fall from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Payne confronted backlash following his feedback about his time together with his former band, One Course. 

Nonetheless, Tomlinson is not letting the critics have the ultimate phrase, selecting as an alternative to mirror on who Payne actually was.

In a current interview, Tomlinson shared that he felt it essential to defend Payne’s status when he paid tribute to him a day after his demise.

The assertion was not simply to mourn his buddy, however to problem the picture that had been unfairly formed after Payne’s 2022 look on Logan Paul’s “Impaulsive podcast.”

At the moment, Tomlinson wrote on his social media that Payne was the “most significant half” of the group, praising his unimaginable skills and expertise. 

Talking on Payne’s character, the previous “X Issue” decide lately instructed Rolling Stone that individuals who actually knew Payne understood that the criticism he confronted wasn’t honest, as he had solely pure intentions however couldn’t talk them successfully.

When requested what followers won’t learn about Payne, Louis described him as “a really misunderstood particular person, from a public perspective.”

For the “Simply Maintain On” hitmaker, most criticism or judgment directed at Payne’s actions was misplaced. He mentioned, “If there’s ever any judgment on his character, I feel 9 occasions out of 10, you’ll be able to mirror on that, and the reflection is that he was somebody who simply needed to be appreciated.”

The “Again to You” singer continued with a mirrored image on how the group celebrated their fifteenth anniversary earlier this 12 months, however he discovered it particularly painful as a result of it was the primary one with out Payne.

He defined that normally, throughout previous anniversaries, he would really feel a way of nostalgia surrounding the band, however this time, it felt utterly totally different. The milestone introduced up deep feelings of disappointment, frustration, and a way of unfairness that Liam was now not alive to share it with them.

Tomlinson admitted that dealing with the loss was extremely tough, despite the fact that he had confronted grief earlier than, saying nothing may have ready him for shedding an in depth buddy. “I’ve by no means misplaced a buddy earlier than,” he shared.

Payne’s passing deeply affected not solely Tomlinson however the complete group. As reported by The Blast, the tragedy has introduced them nearer collectively.

After years of staying aside and solely talking sometimes since their 2016 hiatus, the members have began checking in on each other extra incessantly, rebuilding their bond and rising stronger as pals.

A reunion efficiency was already in dialogue, and regardless of the heartbreaking loss, they reportedly nonetheless plan to maneuver ahead with it, this time with a renewed function to honor Payne’s reminiscence.

In the meantime, the late 31-year-old left behind an property value £28.5 million however didn’t go away a will.  His ex-partner, Cheryl Tweedy, and their son, Bear, are anticipated to inherit the fortune, whereas it stays unclear whether or not his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, will obtain something.

In line with The Blast, court docket paperwork present that Tweedy has been granted authorized authority to handle the property, which was later diminished to £24.28 million after money owed and bills have been settled.