How the Grammy Awards Paid Tribute to One Direction’s Liam Payne in an Emotional Moment

The 2025 Grammy Awards honored the life and legacy of Liam Payne, the beloved One Direction star who tragically passed away in October 2024 at the age of 31. The heartfelt tribute took place during the 67th Grammy Awards at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Feb. 2, leaving fans deeply moved.

A Touching Tribute During the In Memoriam Segment

The annual In Memoriam segment paid respects to industry legends, and this year, Liam Payne’s memory was honored with a particularly emotional moment.

After host Trevor Noah introduced the tribute, Coldplay’s Chris Martin took the stage to perform “All My Love.” As the song played, a montage of Liam performing on stage and interacting with One Direction fans was displayed on-screen. A voiceover of Liam reflected on his incredible journey:

“We never expected any of this to happen,” he said. “Actually sit and think about it, we’ve done some amazing things.”

One Direction’s Tribute to Liam Payne

Following the In Memoriam segment, the Recording Academy played One Direction’s 2013 hit “Story of My Life” during the commercial break—another emotional nod to Liam’s career.

Although Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik weren’t present at the 2025 Grammys, the former bandmates reunited in November 2024 to honor Liam at his funeral in the U.K. It was their first public gathering since the band went on hiatus in 2016.

The group also shared a heartfelt statement shortly after Liam’s passing:

“We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing. In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly.”

They continued, “The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly.”

They ended the message with a simple yet powerful tribute: “We love you, Liam.”

The Investigation Into Liam Payne’s Death

The cause of Liam Payne’s death was later confirmed to be injuries sustained from a tragic fall from a third-floor hotel balcony in Argentina. A subsequent investigation found that he had alcohol, cocaine, and a prescription antidepressant in his system at the time. Since October 2024, authorities have charged five individuals in connection with the case.

The Grammys Honored Other Late Legends

The 2025 Grammy Awards also honored other music icons, including the legendary Quincy B. Jones, who passed away in November 2024. With 28 Grammy wins, he was one of the most awarded artists in history. To commemorate his extraordinary contributions to the industry, Cynthia Erivo and Janelle Monáe delivered a special performance in his honor.

Though Liam Payne is gone, his impact on music and the millions of fans who loved him will never fade. The 2025 Grammys ensured that his legacy was celebrated in a way that truly reflected his immense talent and influence.