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Nicole Scherzinger was texting Liam Payne on the day he died, calls him a ‘blessing’ to work with

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Nicole Scherzinger was texting Liam Payne on the day he died, calls him a 'blessing' to work with

As a movie lover who has seen countless stories of fame and fortune unfold, I find myself deeply saddened by the untimely death of Liam Payne. Having followed his journey since he was part of One Direction, a group that transcended the boundaries of boy bands and touched millions of hearts worldwide, it’s hard to grasp the reality that he is no longer with us.

Nicole Scherzinger, a former judge on “The X Factor”, finally spoke out on Thursday regarding the sudden demise of former One Direction member Liam Payne.

In a letter sent to Payne, who sadly passed away on October 16th following an accident from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Scherzinger reflected on their lasting friendship that stretched back to her role in forming the “X Factor” group which catapulted Payne and his bandmates into global stardom in 2010. Scherzinger and Payne reconnected in August as they were chosen to appear together in the upcoming Netflix series “Building the Band,” alongside Destiny’s Child alum Kelly Rowland and Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean.

Dear Liam, I’ve always held dear and valued the moments we spent together, dating back to when One Direction first started over fifteen years ago, all the way up to only a few weeks ago,” the lead singer of The Pussycat Dolls expressed on Instagram yesterday.

As a fellow film enthusiast, it was an absolute delight working with you lately. Our shared passion for music made the experience even more enriching, and I’ll cherish the profound and joyful exchanges we had. It’s been incredibly tough to come to terms with your departure, but I consider myself fortunate to have encountered your compassionate spirit, gentle soul, and extraordinary character.

According to Scherzinger, Payne was a source of immense joy, radiance, and humor for those who really understood him. She expressed that she would deeply miss him and hold him close within her heart.

She, together with her “X Factor” co-star Simon Cowell, played a significant role in shaping One Direction into the renowned boy band. Initially, each potential member had not made it past the solo artist rounds on the British talent show that Cowell oversaw. However, the judges believed that Liam Payne, alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik, would flourish as a five-piece group. As such, they competed together in Season 7 of the series.

Despite finishing third on their competition show, Simon Cowell signed One Direction to Syco Entertainment and they released their first album in 2011. This boy band soared to international fame, earning Beatles-like comparisons as they churned out hits like “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Story of My Life.” Over the next four years, they issued four more albums and embarked on four major tours before disbanding in 2015 following Zayn Malik’s exit, who cited stress as one reason. Each member then ventured into solo projects with varying levels of achievement.

Last week, Styles, Tomlinson, Horan, and Malik recalled Payne fondly, honoring him as a brother even amidst their personal highs and lows. Additionally, Cowell and other associates of the “X Factor” family, including Payne’s former girlfriend Cheryl Cole, paid tribute to the 31-year-old artist in the days following his passing.

Singer Scherzinger didn’t explain her delay in responding to Payne’s death. Currently, she is receiving acclaim for her role in the Broadway musical “Sunset Boulevard,” even earning a six-minute standing ovation during the opening night. It was later disclosed by composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (known for creating “Cats” and “Phantom of the Opera”) that Scherzinger had been exchanging texts with Payne on the day he passed away.

Webber expressed that there might be something unspoken, and it could be put this way: Liam from One Direction was indeed mentored by her. On the day he passed away, she was still communicating with him through texts. That very evening, reviewers came for ‘Sunset Boulevard’, and she had just learned of his death. The fact that she performed at all under such circumstances speaks volumes about her strength and talent. Truly, she is an extraordinary and exceptional artist.

On “Good Morning America” last Friday, Scherzinger shared that she and Payne had grown quite close, particularly during their recent collaboration on “Building the Band.

She expressed her deep sadness, saying, “I’m deeply saddened. I’m grieving for Liam, his family, loved ones, and friends.” She continued, “Liam was always guided by compassion and kindness, and I truly hope that’s how he will forever be remembered.

As a curious movie critic, I’m left pondering Netflix’s future steps regarding “Building the Band.” When I attempted to reach out for clarification last Friday, representatives from Netflix chose not to share their thoughts with The Times.

Producers of the series were both surprised and disheartened by the news of Payne’s passing; this was shared by someone connected to the production who wasn’t permitted to comment publicly about it to The Times. This individual also mentioned that at the moment, it’s premature to make any decisions regarding the competition show where Payne acted as a mentor.

Last week, Deadline mentioned that the series had completed filming prior to Payne’s passing, however, they hadn’t revealed when the premiere would take place yet.

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2024-10-25 20:31

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