Former Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole, who shared a son with Liam Payne, has broken her silence following the tragic death of the One Direction star.
Addressing the media frenzy surrounding Liam's untimely passing in an Instagram post today, October 19, 2024, Cheryl criticizes the sensationalized headlines and invasive reports, describing them as a disservice to his memory.
Read: Liam Payne, former One Direction member, dies in Argentina at 31
She writes (published as is), "As I try to navigate this earth shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I'd like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being.
"Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again."
Cheryl urges the public and media to reflect on their words and actions online, and to tread lightly for the sake of her son with Liam, Bear.
"What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days," she expresses.
"It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future."
She adds: "I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces.
"Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them."
Concluding her message with a final plea, she writes, "Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last."
Liam tragically passed away On October 16 after falling from a hotel rooftop in Buenos Aires. He was 31.
According to reports from the city’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office, Payne suffered "multiple trauma" and "internal and external hemorrhage" after falling three floors from a hotel balcony.
The circumstances of his fall remain under investigation, with authorities still determining whether or not it was an accident.
Read: One Direction members "devastated" by Liam Payne's death
Meanwhile, Liam’s former bandmates Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles have already released an official statement addressing the heartbreaking loss of their beloved friend.
The statement read in full: "We’re completely devastated by the news of Liam’s passing.
"In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say.
"But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly. The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever.
"For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam."
In addition to the joint statement, each of the former One Direction members also took to their individual social media platforms to pay personal tributes to Liam.
Read: Simon Cowell, inuulan ng hate comments sa pagpanaw ni Liam Payne
CHERYL AND LIAM'S HISTORY
Liam first met Cheryl as part of the panel of judges on the U.K. edition of The X Factor in 2008, when he auditioned as a 14-year-old hopeful.
Cheryl, who was 10 years his senior, was seated alongside Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, and Louis Walsh, where she witnessed Liam's early steps into the music industry.
Though they didn't connect romantically at the time, fate brought them back together years later.
Since then, a relationship blossomed between them in 2016, leading to the birth of their son, Bear, in 2017.
Their connection, despite its challenges, brought them both moments of joy, particularly with the arrival of their child.
Although they decided to part ways in 2018, they remained committed to co-parenting Bear, keeping his well-being at the center of their lives.
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