We’re still reeling from the awful death of One Direction singer Liam Payne at just 31 years old on Wednesday. And now, resurfaced old footage from four years back has us even more emotional than before.
It’s hard to believe that the boy band crooner passed away so young this week, but that’s exactly what happened at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires. It hasn’t even been 48 hours, and already so many celebrities have come out of the woodwork from all over the world to share their condolences, reactions, and grief at his passing. Now, journalists and media outlets are doing the same.
Related: Liam Payne’s Tragic Death — Everything We Know So Far
The occasion here is a Thursday evening Instagram post from BBC Radio 2 journalist and on-air host Scott Mills. In it, Mills shared a video of the former 1D recording artist coming on his radio show way back in the spring of 2020 during the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, Mills was asking celebrities to join his show virtually for interviews in which they read out open letters written back to their 10-year-old selves. It was a poignant moment for a lot of celebs who participated, as you might expect. But specifically with Liam, considering his tragic death this week, that letter has taken on a more significant meaning.
In the letter written four years ago to his 10-year-old self, the then-27-year-old began by referencing One Direction’s quick rise to fame with the understatement of the century:
“Dear 10-year-old Liam, get ready. It’s about to get a little bumpy.”
Adding that “life is about to turn surreal,” he went on to allude to the X Factor auditions he had at 14 (and then again at 16) that eventually landed him alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson for the formation of 1D. He also noted that he’ll soon meet the future mother of his child, Cheryl Cole, with whom he later went on to welcome son Bear, who is now seven years old. Liam said:
“When you turn 14, something magical is going to happen. I’m not talking about puberty. Not only will you audition for one of the biggest music shows in the world, but you’ll also meet the future mother of your child. I know it seems early, but just trust me, it’s all going to work out however it’s supposed to.”
And the Strip That Down singer went on to quip:
“I suggest you watch Back To The Future. It might help.”
Ha!
That’s a great line. From there, he cautioned his 10-year-old self to remain patient and humble:
“You are now famous, and it feels like you’ve peaked way too early, you cocky little bugger, but you’ve barely even started yet. Take it down a notch, and remember it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
And he very sweetly referenced his would-be-future bandmates, too:
“You’re about to meet four other guys on the same track as you. When you first meet them, it’s going to be chaos, but just remember to enjoy yourself. Stay young at heart.”
In the letter, Liam teased that his young self would soon have “the most amazing time of your life.” But there were downsides to discuss, too — like when the band went on hiatus in 2015, and Payne struggled to figure out what came next. He warned:
“It will end for a while, and you will be left with nothing but the steering wheel. It will feel scary like you’re alone, but you are not.”
And then, in the most heartbreaking part of the open letter, he referenced Bear by name:
“You’re about to start a total new journey with the most amazing person you’ve met so far, your son Bear. Don’t doubt yourself at this dad thing. Just look at all the things you’ve learned along the way. Surely that must mean you’ve got a lot to give.”
He wrapped things by offering one more word of counsel for his 10-year-old self:
“Be grateful and try to remember every day you’re doing something you love that took 10 years to build. The first single will skyrocket and you’ll never see it coming. But stop with the self-doubt and you’ll be fine.”
Wow.
You can watch the resurfaced BBC Radio 2 video of Liam’s 2020 open letter live read HERE.
It’s heartbreaking on so many levels. It’s inspiring to see him so full of wisdom and life and love, but also haunting when placed in the context of his death this week. Gone far, far too soon.
[Image via Lia Toby/MEGA/WENN]
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