Liam Payne’s passing shook everyone to the core. Last month, thousands of fans and industry peers flooded the internet with posts mourning the 31-year-old singer. It has been nearly a month since that heartbreaking day, but the grief among Payne’s fans still runs deep as they mourn the beloved artist. Recently, as the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards rolled around, Rita Ora, who collaborated with Payne on 2018’s 'For You,' paid tribute to the late band member of arguably the biggest British act since The Beatles.

Rita Ora took a moment to remember her friend in a heartfelt tribute at the Manchester event. “He was a big part of the MTV world and my world,” said the 'Your Song' singer. She reflected on Payne as “one of the kindest people" she knew, while trying not to get too choked up. The program then cut to a screen showing pictures of Payne, as a clip of One Direction’s 'Night Changes' played, giving everyone one last bit of 1D nostalgia to hold on to. This was not the first time Ora honored Payne with such a heartfelt tribute.

Just hours after his passing last month, while performing in Osaka, Japan, Ora took a moment to sing their song 'For You'- or, well, almost sing it. “I can’t even sing this right now,” she confessed to the crowd, then gently asked, “Can you sing this for me?” The audience joined in, filling the venue with voices, as a photo of Ora and Payne appeared on the screen. She quietly stepped offstage, leaving fans with one sweet memory of the two. And now, with her latest tribute, Ora has once again pulled at fans' heartstrings. 

“Greatest boy bands of all time”- Charlamagne Tha God Pays His Last Tribute to Liam Payne Hailing Praises to One Direction

Fans took to X to express their grief for Liam Payne and how much they have been missing the late One Direction member. 

One Direction was the boy band an entire generation grew up with. Even after the group split up and each member pursued their solo careers, fans always held onto the hope for a reunion in the future. With Liam Payne’s passing, that dream is now forever out of reach. The realization that the iconic band will never perform together again is a hard one to accept, and it seems, many fans are still in denial, struggling to come to the realization that Payne is gone and One Direction will never be the same again.

Many fans also noted how deeply Rita Ora felt for Payne, as her voice began to shake while speaking about him.

It might seem like Harry Styles has become the most popular and successful One Direction member with his solo career, but it was Liam Payne who made his mark first, with hit tracks like 'Strip That Down' and 'Get Down' leading the way. While his success came early, now, his absence feels like a personal loss to the entire industry- leaving a void that will always be felt, no matter what.

Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, and Others Finally Break the Silence on Liam Payne’s Loss as One Direction Mourns Online

What do you think about Rita Ora’s tribute to Liam Payne? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!