Kate Cassidy’s year of loss, love and Liam Payne ‘lies’: The influencer is finally ready to date again after his death… as friends reveal how she’s dealing with sordid new claims

A year after the passing of her ex-boyfriend, Liam Payne, Kate Cassidy is ready to start dating again. At the same time, she’s choosing not to address serious claims made by a drug dealer who alleges he had a romantic encounter with Payne, according to the Daily Mail.

I was so heartbroken when I heard about Payne. He was only 31, and such a bright spot as part of One Direction. It really affected me, and I ended up struggling with depression after he tragically passed away in Buenos Aires on October 16, 2024. I’m 26, and it felt like losing someone I’d grown up with.

A toxicology report later showed that he had alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system.

A friend of Cassidy’s shared with the Daily Mail that she’s finally feeling ready to move forward and rebuild her life, after a difficult period where she struggled to find happiness.

According to the source, Cassidy is ignoring rumors and recent reports about Payne’s death, even claims from his friends that she’s causing distress to his family.

According to a source, she’s spending time with friends and is starting to consider dating again, though she’s not actively looking. She’s made significant progress and is in a much better place after a difficult time.

A friend described the difficult time Cassidy went through after Payne’s death, an event that received worldwide attention and led to a period of grief for his many fans.

It broke my heart to see her like that. For months, I’d see her daily, but her smile was just…gone. She wasn’t the person I knew at all. She started canceling plans constantly and really withdrew into herself, becoming almost a complete recluse. It was seriously worrying.

According to a source, Cassidy is recovering well and seems to be back to her old self – she’s posting cheerful photos on Instagram and spending time with friends.

‘She’s moving forward now,’ the friend said. ‘She knows it’s what he would have wanted.’

Braian Nahuel Paiz, a 25-year-old server at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, told the court he gave Payne cocaine, but claimed he didn’t receive any payment for it, according to official records.

Paiz recently told the Daily Mail he spent several hours with the One Direction singer the day before the singer passed away.

He did not elaborate on what they did together, but insisted that they did not have sex.

Cassidy left Argentina shortly before Payne died and is now refusing to discuss Paiz’s accusations, even with her friends.

Her friend explained that Kate wasn’t bothered by what others thought. She cherished the strong connection she and Liam once shared, and believed their history was filled with genuine love and respect, no matter what had happened between them.

She has no idea what’s been going on with Liam since she left Argentina, and it doesn’t matter to her. No matter what he claims, it won’t change her feelings, so she’s choosing to disregard it.

Cassidy recently opened up about her mental state after Payne’s death. 

She explained to Page Six at a mental health benefit on October 6th that she had been struggling with grief and pain, and simply wasn’t motivated to live her life.

I remember her telling me that after struggling for weeks, she had a real breakthrough. She finally thought, “You know what? I *need* to start living again. I need to get myself up and moving.”

Cassidy began her routine by setting an alarm to wake up a little earlier each day, gradually increasing the time by an hour.

She started exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and focusing on living a fulfilling life, both for her own well-being and for Payne.

However, Cassidy has received criticism for some of her Instagram posts. After sharing a video last week of two men carrying her on their shoulders, many fans of her ex, Payne, accused her of being inconsiderate.

One user expressed concern, saying this kind of content doesn’t reflect well on the person. They added that, given it’s been almost a year since her boyfriend’s passing, the content feels inappropriate.

I saw someone comment that she recovered amazingly fast, and another person thought the whole thing was just really disrespectful. It’s definitely been a mixed reaction online.

A friend of Cassidy’s shared with the Daily Mail that people who know the couple were pleased to see her sharing positive updates.

Oh my gosh, seeing her smile like that… it’s like the Kate we all remember is *finally* back! My friend said it, and it hit me so hard – she *knows* she’s doing what Liam would have wanted. Anyone who knew him, *really* knew him, understands that’s exactly what he’d want – for her to be happy again. It just… it makes my heart ache in the best way, seeing her start to heal.

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2025-10-19 19:07