Liam Payne’s girlfriend opened up about the One Direction singer’s tragic death in her first major interview since he lost his life last fall.
Kate Cassidy, 25, recently spoke with The Sun about her “fairytale romance” with the man that she described as her “charming soulmate.” While she had been with Payne in Argentina not long before his fatal fall from a hotel balcony, she was not in town the day he died.
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“Love is so optimistic, and you just hope that everything will work out at the end,” she told the British tabloid. The internet personality said that if she could have somehow known that she would never see her boyfriend again, “I would never have left Argentina.”
In the wake of the 31-year-old English singer’s death, some fans speculated online about whether Cassidy had left Argentina following a fight in their relationship. She pushed back on those rumors during the new interview, which was published on Wednesday, Feb. 5, explaining that she left South America to care for her dog.
“I had a responsibility, we had a responsibility,” she said. “We had our dog and obviously I never, ever thought this event would occur.”
The influencer went on to describe Payne’s fall as “a tragic accident,” adding that she “never” suspected he would die at such a young age. “I just never thought this would have happened, that it would turn out the way it did,” she said.
In addition to sharing some personal photos that she had with Payne, Cassidy revealed that the final text message she sent the singer before his death on Oct. 16, 2024, was about her excitement over the Halloween decorations she had prepared for her home.
“I can’t wait for you to get home and see the house,” the text read.
Since his sudden passing three months ago, Cassidy told the outlet she’s been in grief counseling, explaining it took her time to come to terms with the reality of his death, suggesting at first she thought it was a horrible rumor.
“I was in touch with his family, and my mum got the first flight out to be with me,” the influencer added, recalling how she “blacked out” upon learning Payne had passed away. “I remember pacing around the house — poor [dog] Nala thought I was trying to play, she kept jumping up at me.”
“I didn’t sleep at all that night,” she said.
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