Overview

• In a new Rolling Stone UK interview, Tomlinson says losing Payne was “really, really, impossibly difficult” and notes he had never lost a friend before.
• He recounts that One Direction’s 15th anniversary felt uncomfortable because he wanted to honor the milestone on Payne’s behalf and still finds his absence unjust.
• Tomlinson argues public judgments of Payne were “deeply unfair,” describing him as someone who struggled to express himself and “just wanted to be liked.”
• He credits Payne as the band’s “safest pair of hands” and, in his view, the most vital member due to his experience, perfect pitch, stage presence and songwriting.
• Separate reports say Tomlinson and Zayn Malik are developing a joint, multi‑part Netflix docu‑series, with early descriptions suggesting it will explore their relationship, One Direction history and Payne’s passing.