Timeline of Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson’s Friendship

Liam Payne again Louis Tomlinson they are linked for life through their continuation in One Direction, which became one of the most successful boy groups of all time.

But their friendship wasn’t always smooth sailing, with the late “Teardrops” singer admitting that she and Tomlinson, 32, “hated each other” at the start of their boy band tour.

Later, their relationship grew stronger as they openly expressed their love for each other in recent years through social media endorsements and interviews.

As news broke of Payne’s tragic death at the age of 31 in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Wednesday, October 16, Us Weekly looks back at the bromance between two 1D stars.

July 2010

After the UK test IX Factor in 2008 but because he was too young, Payne returned two years later for a second honor. Once Harry styles30, Zayn Malik,31, and Niall Horan31, Payne and Tomlinson were given the opportunity to join the team as a boy band. When they all agreed, this marked the beginning of One Direction’s pop music career.

2013

Payne spoke about how his bond with Tomlinson and his fellow One Direction bandmates helped him cope with the demands and pressures of their peak.

“We take each day as it comes,” Payne said E! News in 2013. “The thing is we don’t take it too seriously. We’re just here for a bit of a laugh, and whatever else comes of it is great.”

When asked if he might one day pursue a solo career if One Direction were to disband, Payne added that he would miss the reunion.

“It scares me a little to be honest with you,” Payne told the outlet. “I like to have the comfort of other guys on stage.”

He added, “There is always someone to talk to.”

August 2015

One Direction shocked their fans by pulling the plug on the band, but insisted they were going on a “sustainable hiatus” for an estimated 18 months.

December 2016

In 2016, tragedy struck Tomlinson’s life when his mother Johanna Deakin he died of leukemia at the age of 43.

Payne supported Tomlinson as he grieved, writing a heartfelt note to his band, which he posted on Twitter.

“I’m so sorry for you, brother,” he wrote on the paper. “My heart aches for you. Just know that I love you just as much from a million miles away as I do next to you. I am always there for you in everything as you have been for me. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this incredibly painful time.”

Payne added that she “can’t imagine what she’s going through,” and signed off by writing “RIP, Johannah, you live in my thoughts.”

2019

Payne talked about the early days of One Direction and how he and Tomlinson got off on the wrong foot at first.

In interview no Hits RadioPayne admitted that he and Tomlinson “absolutely hated each other” at first.

“When we were in the group it felt like, because he was the oldest and because I had been singing for a long time, we were both put in a strange position,” Payne told the newspaper.

“He wanted to be a leader and I did my thing and wanted to. So at first we didn’t see each other at all. We absolutely hated each other, it was so funny. It’s really bad. We hid it well.”

March 2019

Tragedy struck again in 2019 when Tomlinson’s younger sister Félicité died of a drug overdose at the age of 18 in London.

The deaths of Félicité and Johanna were featured in Tomlinson’s documentary “All of Those Voices” released in 2023.

October 2021

Payne also reflected on his relationship with Tomlinson over the years while speaking with him ET Canada in October 2021.

“Louis and I didn’t understand each other. “We were all thrown together, and we still knew each other when we were in the band,” Payne said. “Now we’re best friends in the team, which I think is really fun … I think even in those moments of anger there’s a connection between the two of you.”

May 2022

Appearing on Logan Paul’s “Impaulsive” podcast in May 2022, Payne caused controversy by speaking candidly about his “impulsive” co-stars, including Tomlinson.

“Louis was crazy. And he wanted to be wild. That’s his spirit,” Payne said. “He is my best friend now but in the group, we hate each other. Like, fireworks hate each other. It was close.”

September 2022

While Payne received major backlash following his comments on the podcast, Tomlinson later publicly defended the “Strip That Down” singer while appearing on the podcast, “The Zach Sang Show.”

“It wasn’t too bad,” Tomlinson said in September 2022. “When I first went online and saw the fans… I was waiting for it to start”.

Tomlinson acknowledged the difficulties and pressures celebrities face, describing their jobs as “challenging”.

“We all make the mistake of having these decisions when we watch videos or whatever. I must say this job is f-challenging sometimes, mentally f-challenging sometimes. And I know that no one listening to this wants to hear that because you know we treated you well, thank you for that.”

March 2023

After attending the premiere of Tomlinson’s documentary “All of Those Voices”, Payne reflected on not being enough for Tomlinson as he faced his toughest challenges.

“Seeing the world through your eyes last night was the most beautiful thing you could ever experience,” Payne wrote in an Instagram tribute post in March 2023. “My neck hurts the way I look at you right now. You were my friend. And my brother, but looking through that window into your world and your mind is blown.” I have so much respect for you. I’m so sorry that I lost my mind and didn’t do better for you, at least I have time now and I’ll try to fix it.”

Payne also praised Tomlinson for being a good friend to him.

“I am so grateful to have you as my life partner,” Payne wrote. “I feel lucky and I know you know this but you were part of a group of people who saved my life, you brought me out of something dark that I have never shared, but your way is what I admire and love. I wish one day to do the same.”

For his part, Tomlinson expressed his gratitude that Payne attended the premiere by writing about X, “It means the absolute world. I love you boy!”