Liam Payne. Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images
A letter that Liam Payne wrote to his 10-year-old self has resurfaced, shedding light on how the late singer viewed his rise to stardom and transition from teen star to dad.
Payne died on Wednesday, October 16, after falling from his hotel balcony in Argentina. The former One Direction member was 31.
He wrote the letter for an appearance on Scott Mills’ BBC Radio 2 show in 2020. Mills, 51, was Payne’s close friend, and he shared the letter again on Thursday, October 17, on his show in the aftermath of the singer’s death.
“Liam’s [letter] is so poignant today,” Mills said. “Now, I just need to give you a little warning. It’s quite sad to listen to, but I just really, really wanted to play it for you today.”
Liam Payne navigated a series of ups and downs throughout his career in the spotlight ahead of his tragic death at 31. Payne rose to fame as a member of British boy band One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik. The group was put together and mentored by Simon Cowell […]
In the clip, which Mills also shared via Instagram, Payne appears on video to read the letter.
“Dear 10 year-old Liam,” it began. “Get ready, it’s about to get a little bit bumpy. Cherish every moment with your loved ones now as there’s only a few more family holidays to enjoy, life is about to turn surreal. You know that thing you love, singing, keep it up, and when you turn 14, something magical is going to happen and I’m not talking about puberty.”
Liam Payne of One Direction performs at HMV Hammersmith Apollo on January 22, 2012. Jo Hale/Getty Images
Payne went on to describe to his childhood self what it was like to audition for British music competition show The X Factor, where he met his One Direction bandmates and formed the pop group that became a global sensation in the 2010s.
“You will have the most amazing time of your life, travel the world and live a life you barely imagined,” he continued. “Then it will end for a while and you’ll be left with nothing but the steering wheel.”
“It will feel scary, like you’re alone but you are not. You’re about to start a totally new journey with the most amazing person you’ve met so far, your son Bear.”
Payne began dating Cheryl Cole in 2016, and the two welcomed their only child, Bear, now 7, the following year. He and Cole split in 2018, and Payne was dating Kate Cassidy at the time of his death.
“Be grateful and try to remember every day you’re doing something you love that took 10 years to build,” Payne’s letter continued. “The first single will skyrocket and you’ll never see it coming, but stop with the self-doubt and you’ll be fine.”
One Direction’s first single, “What Makes You Beautiful,” peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum four times in the United States and three times in the U.K.
He closed the letter by bringing it back to family, writing, “Give Mum, Dad and all the family a big hug from me.”
