October 20, 2024: Zayn Malik has postponed the U.S. leg of his Stairway to the Sky tour following the tragic death of his former bandmate, Liam Payne.
Malik shared the update on his Instagram stories, stating that due to the “heartbreaking loss” he had decided to reschedule the tour dates for January 2025. Tickets for the original dates will remain valid. He also expressed his gratitude for fans’ understanding during this difficult time.
In a deeply personal message, Malik reflected on his grief, sharing how he had been speaking to Payne and wished he could have one last moment to say goodbye properly. This follows the shocking news of Payne’s passing, confirmed by an autopsy to be the result of “polytrauma” and internal bleeding after a fall from the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires. Authorities are treating the incident as a “doubtful death,” investigating possible substance abuse as a contributing factor.
Tributes have poured in from many, including The X Factor and Backstreet Boys, remembering Payne’s impact on music, especially as part of the iconic One Direction.