A FEW hours after the death of former One Direction member Liam Payne, 31, Rita Ora held a concert in Osaka, Japan. Ora was having an emotional time singing their 2018 duet, “For You” from the film Fifty Shades Freed.
During their collaborative solo performance, according to footage shared on social media by fans, the 33-year-old British pop star displayed a photo of herself with Payne on the screen behind her and struggled to finish the song.
“I can’t even sing it right now,” he told the audience at one point. “Can you guys sing it for me?”
news">Also read: Police found Liam Panye’s hotel room in a messy condition
The next day, Ora posted on social media with a heartfelt message about their time together.
“I’m devastated,” wrote Ora, 33, alongside photos of herself and Payne in the studio and promoting their collaboration. “He had the kindest soul, I will never forget.”
The “Ask and You Shall Receive” singer added, “I really loved working with him – he was a joy to be around, both on and off stage. This tragic news breaks my heart.”
news">Also read: Liam Payne’s contract was terminated by Universal Music a few days before he died
“Send all my love and prayers to her family and loved ones. Our song ‘For You’ now has a whole new meaning for me,” continued Ora’s tribute. “RIP”
Released alongside the third *Fifty Shades* film in 2018, “For You” was a huge hit for Ora and Payne, charting at No. 8 in the UK and No. 76 in the US. The song also appears on Ora and Payne’s respective albums Phoenix and LP1.
Payne was pronounced dead on October 16 after falling several stories at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Argentine Policía Federal confirmed to PEOPLE.
An investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding Payne’s death, local police tell PEOPLE, and an autopsy will be performed.
In a statement translated from Spanish, Alberto Crescenti (head of SAME, Buenos Aires’ public emergency medical services system) told TN that Payne fell into the hotel’s inner courtyard. (People/Z-3)
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