Zayn Malik has announced that he will be postponing the US leg of his “Stairway to the Sky'' tour following the death of Liam Payne.
Malik shared the news on his Instagram Story on Saturday morning, following the death of a fellow One Direction member on Wednesday after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
He said, “In light of the heartbreaking loss we experienced this week, we have made the decision to postpone the US leg of our STAIRWAY TO THE SKY tour.The dates have been rescheduled for January and will be posted in the coming days. I will.”
The post concluded: “Your tickets are still valid for the new dates. We love you all and thank you for your understanding.”
Malik paid tribute to Payne in a lengthy post he shared on his Instagram on Friday, along with a photo of the two as children. He first shared that he found himself talking loudly in hopes that his deceased friend could hear him.
“I can’t help but wonder if there were more conversations in my life,” he writes. “I can’t thank you enough for supporting me during the most difficult times in my life. When I missed home as a 17-year-old kid, you were always there with a positive outlook and a reassuring smile. You were my friend and you showed me that I was loved. Even though you were younger than me, you were always wiser than me, stubborn and opinionated. You told me when others were wrong. We had a few conflicts over this, but I always secretly respected you.”
He praised Payne’s musical talent and said he was the “most qualified” member of One Direction. “Compared to that, I didn’t know anything. I was a beginner kid with no experience, but you’re already a pro and no matter what happens on stage, what direction you steer the ship next. It’s nice to know that I can always rely on you to do what I want to do,”’ Malik continued.
He concluded his eulogy with the following words: “When you left us, I lost a brother. I wish I could hug you one last time, say goodbye properly, and let you know that I loved and respected you. I can’t explain what I can give you if you do.”Dear you. I will forever cherish all the memories with you in my heart. There are no words that can better justify and explain how I feel right now than devastated. Wherever you are right now, I hope you are well, at peace, and know how much you are loved. I love you, brother. ”
Malik also released a joint statement about Payne’s death with the band, including Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
The British singer-songwriter died from trauma and internal and external bleeding, according to an autopsy conducted after falling from the third floor in the Argentine capital. Buenos Aires police told The Associated Press in a statement that the man suffered “extremely serious injuries” from the fall. Medics pronounced him dead at the scene, the statement said.
