With the shocking death of Liam Payne in Argentina continuing to reverberate, Zayn Malik has spoken up and out.

The pair rose to global prominence together as teens in One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan after being formed on The X Factor UK.

Malik would leave the group in 2025 ahead of its disbandment in 2016. However, as expressed in his emotional tribute, he makes clear that he has “lost a brother.”

As reported, authorities have confirmed that the late singer jumped to his death from the third floor of his hotel in Argentina. Multiple sources assert that the performer was under the influence of both drugs and alcohol.

Read Malik’s passionate tribute to his 1D bandmate below…

Taking to Instagram, Malik shared a picture and wrote the following homage:

“Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives. I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved.

Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f*cks about telling people when they were wrong. Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, I always secretly respected you for it. When it came to the music Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense. I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional.

I was always happy to know, no matter what happened on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next.

I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly.I will cherish all the memories I have with youin my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved
you are.

Love you bro”

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