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Liam Payne’s sister Ruth Gibbins shares emotional tribute on 15th anniversary of One Direction – nine months after his tragic death

BBG News

Liam Payne’s sibling, Ruth Gibbins, offered a heartfelt homage to her deceased brother, as global fans commemorated 15 years since the formation of One Direction.

The five-member group consisting of Liam, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson achieved global fame as one of history’s most successful boy bands following their formation on the X Factor in 2010.

Nine months have passed since Liam’s heartbreaking demise at the age of 31, caused by a fall from a balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires. On Wednesday, in a moving tribute, Ruth remembered him on Instagram.

She posted family pictures taken at the same location over different years, some of which were included in the band’s “Story of My Life” music video.

The snaps showed Liam as a young boy and again as a teenager, posing with his loved ones.

Accompanying the photos, Ruth penned a touching tribute recalling her brother’s remarkable life story and the lasting impact he made.

She penned: ‘Liam this one’s for you

For fifteen years, I was part of a boy band, and my father would rush down the stairs to break the news to us whenever I was sent home once more, deeply disappointed at the fact that I had been placed in a boy band.

Your unwavering affection for One Direction never faded, and you took great pride in all you accomplished. A significant part of that enduring affection is the admiration and support from your fans, who have stood by you for 15 years. They continue to be incredibly proud of you, and their love serves as a beacon guiding us through these challenging times. I hope you can appreciate this.

She went on saying: “You’ve consistently shown your love and support towards the others in the band, being among the first to celebrate their achievements post-band, continually singing their songs and reminiscing about them – they became the brothers you’d longed for.

As a lifestyle enthusiast, I can’t help but reminisce about some of my most cherished moments that involve your remarkable band. Reliving those memories brings me back to my twenties, a time when I witnessed your incredible journey to success with an overwhelming sense of pride and admiration.

One memory that stands out for me is the time at an after-hours gathering when Souts shared his concept for the ‘story of my life’ video, and you asked about which photo of us would be used. When he told us, I looked at you and said, “But Nicola, you have a mullet and I have black hair in that picture?!

As I chuckled, I recall saying, “Indeed, I do!” with quite a bit of laughter, hinting at the fact that we were about to recreate one of our least favorite photographs.

Or

With a hearty laugh, I responded, “Ah, so it’s settled then! We’ll be re-creating that less-than-ideal photo!”

Or

Laughing heartily, I affirmed, “Of course, I know! We’re going to recreate our not-so-favorite picture.

We had the best time filming that video with you.

‘Everyday in your company was always tonic for my soul, no matter where in the world we were. 

‘From our dance shows, to small theatres, arenas to stadiums, incredible memories.’

Only a few days have passed since Nicola, Liam’s other sibling, honored the deceased musician on Instagram following her viewing of Netflix’s “Building The Band.

Last week, Nicola sadly confessed, “I can’t bear that it occurred,” and expressed her belief that she’ll “never be capable of coming to terms with his demise,” which has been nearly a year since his untimely death.

In a deeply emotional message, Nicola shared: Exactly 9 months ago, our world was turned upside down. It remains challenging for me to comprehend the events that unfolded. I’m unsure if I ever truly can grasp it, or if I even wish to do so.

Liam, it’s hard to find words for just how exceptional you are. To those fortunate enough to know and cherish you, our lives have been undeniably enriched.

Today, I had the pleasure of shining a small spotlight on my ardor and abilities, and let me tell you, the world was left spellbound by my performance in this spectacular event. I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to share my talents with all of you.

I’ve always had an unwavering compassion for those around me, striving tirelessly to make a meaningful impact. Just as a beacon illuminates the darkest corners, so too do I strive to shine brightly on any stage, fulfilling my purpose and destiny.

You seem born for the role of a judge, to lead, to inspire, and to express yourself confidently. Seeing you on this program, I’ve seldom felt prouder.

‘I just wish you got to see it. It’s everything we knew it would be when we were at filming.

This program has a unique, cherished spot in my heart. It was one of the final moments I shared with you, and I was fortunate enough to see your brilliance radiate so vividly. At the same time, it’s provided me with a sense of closeness to you that remains strong.

‘I love you so much, and I miss you even more. I hate that this happened.’

In their family, which values closeness, Nicola and Ruth are the elder sisters to Liam, with him being the youngest among the trio of siblings.

In this show, AJ McLean from the Backstreet Boys serves as the host. Nicole is the primary mentor and judge, while both Liam and Kelly Rowland lend their expertise during the course of the program.

Reflecting on our shared journey with the late icon, I can’t help but reminisce and confess: The bond we forged during that extraordinary experience grew incredibly strong.

She shared with the public: “Liam has a heart so kind and beautiful, and I must admit, it’s selfishly satisfying for me to have spent time with him. I’m genuinely thrilled that more people will get to witness another one of his talents – nurturing budding artists and bands.

‘He was truly remarkable. His actions left me thoroughly astonished. Not only was he incredibly kind and generous during formal events, but he also went out of his way to interact with fans, even when the spotlight wasn’t on him. It was delightful to witness him in his natural habitat.’

The star found it ‘wonderful’ to witness Liam complete his journey, having placed third on The X Factor in 2010 as a member of One Direction.

She expressed that seeing Liam’s joy filled her with a sense of recognition. It seemed as though this space made him happy, similar to how AJ, Kelly, and herself have felt in the past. They’ve experienced this, they’ve learned from it.

Nicole went on to say: “Sharing inspiration, knowledge, wisdom, and experience with the contestants and bands was truly enjoyable for everyone. This brought immense joy, especially to Liam.

In this setting, it seems that the experience or moment truly uplifted him, and it was where he found joy. This was his source of happiness because Liam had an exceptional kindness within him, and he delighted in providing assistance. He took pleasure in aiding others.

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2025-07-24 02:35

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