Simon Cowell, one of the creators of One Direction, fired Liam Payne: “I feel empty”

Simon Cowell paid tribute to Liam Paynesaying he “feels empty” and “heartbroken” by the singer’s death.

The solo artist and former member of One Direction He died on Wednesday, after a fatal fall from a balcony on the third floor of the CasaSur Hotel in Palermo.

Cowell played an important role in Payne’s career, signing One Direction to his Syco label after they placed third in the 2010 season of The X Factoron which Cowell was the head judge. The group recorded five studio albums and sold more than 70 million records worldwide.

Simon Cowell’s farewell message

Now, Cowell has shared a heartfelt and personal tribute to the singer in a post on his Instagram account.

“You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens,” he wrote. “Liam, I’m devastated. With a broken heart. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.”

“I wanted you to know what I always said to the thousands of people who asked me: What is Liam like? And I told them that you were kind, funny, sweet, attentive, talented, humble, focused. And how much you loved music. And how much genuine love you had for the fans.”

He shared a memory of meeting Payne last year, adding: “We remembered all the good times we had together and how proud you were to be a dad. “After you left, I remembered that you were still the sweet, kind boy I had known all those years ago.”

Cowell spoke warmly of Payne’s 7-year-old son, Bear, who he said has “your smile and that twinkle in your eye that you have.” “And he will be very proud of everything you accomplished. And how you did it.”

“I always thought that the five in the band were brothers. And as for your messages today, I think they were. And now, Liam, I can see the effect you had on so many people. Because you left us too soon,” Cowell concluded.