© Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
Five days after Liam Payne’s unexpected passing at only 31 years old, Justin Bieber has shown his support for mourning fans around the world. The “Baby” singer reposted a touching video compilation on his Instagram story that highlighted the outpouring of memorials for Payne.
Fan tributes have sprung up globally in iconic locations like London’s Trafalgar Square, Paris’ Arc de Triomphe, New York City’s Times Square, and Payne’s hometown of Wolverhampton. In the clips, devastated admirers can be seen singing their favorite 1D songs amongst floral arrangements, candles, and photographs dedicated to remembering the beloved star.
The video’s voiceover powerfully affirmed that “you are allowed to love someone you never met,” and “admire someone for their art. You are allowed to cry, to pray, to feel like a part of you is gone. Even if they never knew your name, they changed your world.” Bieber simply added a broken heart emoji to acknowledge the immense sadness. As one of the biggest pop artists himself, he surely understands the profound impact these musical icons can have even from a distance.
Last week’s preliminary autopsy report indicated Payne suffered multiple fatal injuries from falling three stories at his Buenos Aires hotel. While he was alone at the time, toxicology tests later found an illicit mixture of substances in his system, including cocaine, meth, and various other drugs. Police are actively investigating who provided Payne the fatal cocktail before his untimely demise.
Bieber’s thoughtful Instagram post serves as a touching show of empathy and solidarity with those grieving the loss of someone who, through their art, connected so profoundly with fans worldwide.
