One Direction. A group that hardly needs introduction. The boy band that stole the hearts of teen girls throughout the early 2000s. The band’s fans were struck with the news of Liam Payne’s death in early October, shocking the internet and students around our halls.
Although the band broke up in March of 2015, the group remained acquainted by supporting each other and attending their concerts while their solo careers took off.
Niall Horan, one of the members of the ex-boy band, is currently on his third tour, “The Show: Live on Tour.” Payne was attending one of Horan’s concerts in Argentina, where he would tragically lose his life. He fell from a third-story balcony in his hotel room and passed away on impact. The cause of his fall and death has been speculated by many, but the root cause is still being investigated.
Senior Liz Browning shared her initial reaction when the news of Payne’s death was confirmed.
“I audibly gasped and sat up in bed and just stared at my wall for about 10 minutes,” Browning said.
The news led to various reactions from the fans. From the new supporters of his solo career to the long-standing One Directioners.
“It made me feel like I lost a piece of my childhood,” Browning said. “I wasn’t really sure how to react, but I was very sad.”
Another One Direction and Payne fan shares her experience finding out about his death.
“I had 30-plus texts from people about Liam and I thought it was fake. I couldn’t believe it,” senior Allie Alstatt said.
As the death was unexpected, rumors began to circulate. Some unconfirmed rumors included suicide, overdose, murder, or a publicity stunt. Not what mourning fans want to hear after losing a public figure they admired.
“I personally scroll whenever I see them, because it really upsets me, it felt like a brother of mine died. I always scroll past them because I think it’s just insensitive to be making up for it, especially because he’s already passed away, just let him rest in peace,” junior Simora Perez said.
Though Payne has gained a following from his solo career, the oldest fans mourn the loss of their childhood icon.
“A lot of older fans talk about how Liam and One Direction were their childhood, but he was my entire life,” Alstatt said.
