Monday, October 21, 2024
HomeCelebrityHundreds of Fans Mourn His Death in London

Hundreds of Fans Mourn His Death in London

Published on

spot_img


Hundreds gathered Sunday (Oct. 20) in London’s Kensington Gardens to mourn Liam Payne as fans around the world grieved for the One Direction singer who died this week.

Directioners, as supporters of the massively successful boy band are known, left tributes in London, Glasgow, Paris, Sydney and New York this weekend as they celebrated the life of the 31-year-old who died Wednesday (Oct. 16) after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.

Liam Payne memorial London

Fans gather at the Peter Pan statue adorned with flowers and balloons during a tribute event in Hyde Park for Liam Payne on Oct. 20, 2024 in London, England.

Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images

In London, they clapped and sang after gathering near a statue of Peter Pan, the fictional boy who never grew up created by J.M. Barrie. The mourners, mostly young women, left heart-shaped balloons, photographs and flowers at the base of the statue, which sits next to a narrow path next to a waterway known as The Long Water.

Mindful of the crowds in the limited space, organizers asked fans to leave their tributes then move away to allow others to approach the statue.

Fans Lauren Anderson and Natasha Bradley, both 23, said they wanted to be with others who shared their grief.

“Your parents, they don’t really understand how much [One Direction] really meant to you growing up,” Bradley said, explaining why she came to the park.

Liam Payne memorial London

Tributes are left as fans gather in Hyde Park to hold a memorial event for Liam Payne on Oct. 20, 2024 in London, England.

Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images

The vigils followed those that took place outside the Casa Sur Hotel in the chic Palermo neighborhood of Argentina’s capital immediately after Payne fell from his third-floor hotel room. The four surviving members of One Direction issued a joint statement saying they were “completely devastated” by the death of their bandmate.

See also  Oasis Reunion Tour Ticket Sales Get Off to Creaky Start

In Paris’ Tuileries Gardens, hundreds of fans — many of them crying and carrying flowers — gathered to remember Payne.

They sang songs and consoled each other. Some lit candles. Others brought photos and artwork of Payne, as well as notes, letters and bouquets. About 400 people attended the gathering, overlooking Paris’ historic Place de la Concorde.

Distraught 26-year-old Emilie Houdinet said she’d been a fan of the band since 2011.

“They helped me. They were there throughout my adolescence to age 18. They were a bit like dads to us,” she said. “They were just a boys band but they were very important to us.”

Liam Payne Memorial London

Fans gather in Hyde Park to hold a memorial event for Liam Payne on Oct. 20, 2024 in London, England.

Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images

One Direction rose to worldwide popularity soon after the band was formed in 2010 from five young singers who auditioned for the X Factor, a British TV talent show. The band broke up in 2016 after producing five albums that sold more than 70 million copies.



Source link

Latest articles

Former GOP governor endorses Brown in Ohio Senate race

Former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, a Republican, threw his support behind Democratic Sen....

McDonald’s Global Menu Restaurant in Chicago Sells International Menu Items — Here’s What to Get

If you’ve been dying to try the Teriyaki Chicken Filet-O from Japan...

Los Angeles Rams force 4 turnovers and hold off Raiders 20-15 after QB Aidan O’Connell gets injured – NBC Los Angeles

Kam Curl returned a fumble 33 yards for a touchdown and Kyren Williams...

More like this

Former GOP governor endorses Brown in Ohio Senate race

Former Ohio Gov. Bob Taft, a Republican, threw his support behind Democratic Sen....

McDonald’s Global Menu Restaurant in Chicago Sells International Menu Items — Here’s What to Get

If you’ve been dying to try the Teriyaki Chicken Filet-O from Japan...