Overview
- In a new Rolling Stone UK interview, Tomlinson says losing Payne was "impossibly difficult" and that he had never before lost a friend.
- He calls Payne "fundamental" to One Direction’s success and says he would now be surprised by any reunion without him.
- Tomlinson describes Payne as "very misunderstood" and says public judgments often missed that he simply wanted to be liked.
- He recounts a period of anger and isolation in his grief, citing an airport encounter later defended by Robbie Williams.
- As the first anniversary of Payne’s October 16, 2024 death approaches, authorities’ ruling of an accidental fall stands, and Tomlinson continues solo work with a third album planned next year alongside plans for a three‑part series with Zayn Malik.