Liam Payne’s ‘heartbreaking’ death causes Zayn Malik to pause tour

Zayn Malik has postponed the U.S. leg of his Stairway to the Sky Tour after the death of Liam Payne.
The “Alienated” singer announced the news on his Instagram Story on Oct. 19, telling fans the postponed dates would be rescheduled for January due to the loss of his former One Direction bandmate.
“Given the heartbreaking loss experienced this week, I’ve made the decision to postpone the US leg of the Stairway to the Sky Tour,” Malik wrote of the shows, which were scheduled to start Oct. 23.
Payne, one-fifth of the famed British boy band, died after a fall outside a hotel in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires on Wednesday. In his statement, Malik said he would keep fans updated on the rescheduled dates.
“The dates are being rescheduled for January and I’ll post them as soon as it’s all set in the next few days. Your tickets will remain valid for the new dates,” he added, before telling fans: “love you all and thank you for your understanding.”
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The U.S. leg of Malik’s tour was slated to start next week in San Francisco, with shows scheduled after the tour kick off in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and New York City.
USA TODAY has reached out to reps for Malik for comment
Malik announced the rescheduled shows on Oct. 23.
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In 2010, Malik and Payne earned global fame as part of the since-disbanded pop group One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson after the five-member band was formed on the British version of “The X-Factor.” In March 2015, Malik famously quit One Direction amid the band’s world tour at the time.
“After five incredible years Zayn Malik has decided to leave One Direction,” a statement on the band’s Facebook page said. “Niall, Harry, Liam and Louis will continue as a four-piece and look forward to the forthcoming concerts of their world tour and recording their fifth album, due to be released later this year.”
Malik added his thoughts from his own point of view on the exit: “My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I’d like to apologize to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart.
Later, in August of that year, the remaining members of One Direction — including Payne — announced they were taking a break. One Direction took an official indefinite hiatus in 2016 following the release of their fifth album, “Made in the A.M.” All members, including Malik, went on to pursue successful solo careers.
Malik previously mourned the loss of Payne in a lengthy Instagram caption posted Thursday.
“I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly,” he wrote.
Malik added: “I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated.”
Contributing: KiMi Robinson, Pamela Avila and Patrick Ryan