How Zayn Malik honored Liam Payne in the first show since the One Direction star’s death

Zayn Malik shows his love Liam Payne.

The singer honored his ex Member of the band One DirectionWho died last month after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina during Saturday’s performance in England.

AND video shared on TikTok showed that after Malik, 31, left the stage, the flashing lights suddenly stopped, after which the text “Liam Payne 1993-2024” appeared on the screen, followed by the words “Love you bro” and a heart.

Fans could be heard crying in the TikTok video, and others expressed equally emotion in the comments. “I am so impressed with Zayn’s ability to continue to rock this show,” one person wrote. “These boys have been through so much! ”

Malik previously postponed the U.S. leg of his Stairway to the Sky tour, which was scheduled to begin in October and run through 2025 following Payne’s “heartbreaking loss.” The “Alienated” singer has just started a tour with several stops in England, followed by performances in Manchester and London.

Saturday’s performance was Malik’s first appearance since Payne, 31, died on October 16 after falling from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.

On Wednesday, Payne was there buried in a private funeral Sservice in Amersham, England. Malika, Harry Styles, Niall Horan AND Louis Tomlinson all members of One Direction were present, as well as Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy.

Earlier this month three people were charged with “crimes of abandonment of a person after death, supplying and facilitating drug trafficking” in connection with Payne’s death. One of the suspects allegedly accompanied Payne every day during his stay in Buenos Aires, while a hotel employee and another suspect were accused of supplying him with drugs.

Liam Payne’s funeral: Harry Styles from One Direction and Zayn Malik mourn the singer’s family

Tests showed Payne had traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his system in the 72 hours before his death, and investigators believe he was partially or completely unconscious at the time of the fall. The possibility that the fall was voluntary was ruled out.

In October, the members of One Direction released a joint statement mourning Payne.

“We are absolutely devastated by the news of Liam’s death,” they wrote. “Over time, when everyone can, there will be more to say. For now, however, we will take some time to mourn and process the loss of our brother, whom we loved very much. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.”

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In his statement shared on Instagram, Malik said he spoke out loud to Payne, hoping his former bandmate would hear him.

“I never had the opportunity to thank you for your support during the most difficult times of my life,” he wrote. “When I was feeling homesick as a 17-year-old, you were always there for me with a positive attitude and an encouraging smile, and you let me know that you were my friend and that I loved you.”

“I lost my brother when you left us, and I can’t explain to you what I would give to hug you one last time, to say a proper goodbye to you, and to tell you that I loved and respected you very much. I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there are no words that can justify or explain how I feel right now other than I am devastated.

Contributions: Taijuan Moorman and KiMi Robinson

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Zayn Malik’s tribute to Liam Payne during the concert moved fans