Gigi Hadid has finally addressed the heartbreaking news of Liam Payne’s untimely death, following her widely publicized and tumultuous split from former One Direction bandmate Zayn Malik.
The supermodel, who recently graced the stage of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show alongside her equally stunning sister Bella Hadid, has been spotted spending time with her current partner, actor Bradley Cooper, in Venice.
The couple made their first public appearance together just days after Payne’s tragic fall from a third-floor hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Wednesday, October 16. Payne’s death has sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, leaving fans and former bandmates reeling. Hadid and Cooper, however, appeared somber yet united as they strolled through the streets of Venice Beach, running errands on Saturday, October 19.
For those unfamiliar with Hadid’s past relationships, the model first began dating Zayn Malik in 2015. Their on-again, off-again relationship lasted through 2018 and resumed from 2019 until their final split in 2021. During this period, Malik had already embarked on a solo music career following his departure from One Direction, which had taken the world by storm.
The 29-year-old singer, who shares a daughter, Khai Malik, with Hadid, left One Direction in pursuit of a more personal, quieter life. Malik, who was previously engaged to fellow British pop star Perrie Edwards during One Direction’s peak, explained that the overwhelming pressures of fame had pushed him to leave the band. He admitted to longing for a “normal 22-year-old life,” and the decision to exit the group was driven by the intense scrutiny and demands that came with stardom.
Liam Payne, who had also faced his own struggles with life in the spotlight, reportedly voiced similar frustrations before his death. According to insiders, Payne had expressed bitterness toward his time with One Direction, stating that the boy band had “ruined” his life. Friends close to Payne revealed that he had become increasingly disillusioned with the entertainment industry, citing the grueling pressures of fame as contributing factors to his downward spiral in his final days.
As the world continues to mourn Payne’s tragic passing, Hadid’s response is seen as a poignant reminder of the profound emotional impact that fame, relationships, and loss can have on those who live their lives in the public eye.