Shawn Mendes paid tribute to Liam Payne at his show on Friday night (October 18) at the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre.
Speaking from the stage, an emotional Mendes told the crowd he had met Payne “a few times” and described his impressions of the late One Direction member, who died aged 31 after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. Argentina on Wednesday night (October 16).
“I met Liam a couple of times, and he was a beautiful soul and his eyes sparkled, it was beautiful,” Mendes began. “It's about mourning those we miss with tears and also celebrating them and who they were and what they left in this world and I just want to take a second to send him so much love wherever he is up there. Liam, we love you. The world is crying for you, brother, and we are all praying for your son and your family. i miss you This is for you tonight, Liam, from all of us.”
Following his comments, Mendes launched into “Heart of Gold,” an unreleased song he's performed live before.
“You had a heart of gold/Gone too soon, it was out of control/Under your skin and bone/You had a heart of gold,” Mendes sings on the chorus.
You can watch video of the moment here.
In the wake of Payne's untimely death, a number of celebrities have paid tribute to the singer, with his four One Direction bandmates releasing a joint statement on Thursday (October 17) saying they were “absolutely devastated by the news of his death Liam.” All four also issued individual statements mourning their late partner. And on Friday, X Factor creator Simon Cowell – who gave Payne his start by placing him in One Direction in 2010 – said he was “devastated” and “heartbroken” at the loss.
