Liam Payne’s ‘X Factor’ Mentor Nicole Scherzinger Shares Heartfelt Tribute 1 Week After His Death

Nicole Scherzinger is ready to remember Liam Payne out loud. The former Pussycat Dolls singer honored Liam in a heartfelt public tribute one week after he suffered a fatal fall from his third-floor hotel room in Argentina. Nicole and Liam had a long history going back to his early days on “The X Factor,” where she served on the judging panel alongside Simon Cowell and suggested he be grouped with four other young singers who would go on to find global superstardom as One Direction. She and Liam most recently worked together on the upcoming series “Building the Band” with Kelly Rowland and Backstreet Boy AJ McLean, and Nicole reflected on how she’ll continue keeping their personal and professional bond close to her heart. “I will forever cherish and treasure the time we shared together, from fifteen years ago when One Direction was born, right up until just a few weeks ago. It was such a blessing to get to work with you recently,” she wrote on Instagram. “We shared the same love and passion for music and I will forever remember the meaningful and joyful conversations we had. It’s been so hard to process that you’re no longer here, but I am grateful to have known your kind heart, sweet soul and character. You brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the lives of those that truly knew you. I will ‘miss you’ my friend and carry you in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.”