Chethma De Mel, Jadetimes Staff
C. J. De Mel is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Entertainment News
Zayn Malik has delayed the US portion of his upcoming Stairway to the Sky tour in the wake of the tragic death of his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne. Payne died Wednesday after falling from a third-story hotel balcony in Argentina. He was 31.
Malik was scheduled to kick off the US leg of his tour next week in San Francisco, but has now informed fans the shows were being postponed in light of the tragic loss. "In light of the heartbreaking loss this week, I have made the decision to postpone the US leg of the Stairway to the Sky Tour," Malik said in a statement.
That means the US tour which was set to stop in major cities like Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Washington DC, before the tour ends on November 3 in New York, will be moved to January. "Their tickets remain valid for the new dates, while Malik added on X, the social media platform, "Love you all and thank you for your understanding."
However, the 31-year-old singer has not mentioned any change in schedule for the UK leg of his tour, which is to run from November 20 to December 4.
An emotional tribute to Payne, Malik said on Thursday, "I lost a brother when you left us. I cannot explain what I would give just to give you one last hug and tell you that I loved and respected you so much." He promised that he would "keep all the memories I have with you in my heart forever.
Malik and Payne first were launched into international stardom with their membership in the boyband One Direction, which was assembled during the 2010 season of the talent competition show The X Factor. They were joined in the group by Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan. Malik departed the group in 2015 to launch his solo career, and the group took a hiatus the following year.
Meantime, the family of the late Payne has been in bereavement; his sister, Ruth Gibbins, took to her emotional Instagram post on Saturday morning, referring to him as her "best friend". She also wrote in shock and utter disbelief: "My brain is struggling to catch up with what's happening, and I don't understand where you've gone.
Payne's father, Geoff Payne, visited the Casa Sur hotel in Buenos Aires where his son had died and the tributes left by fans. Later, he visited the morgue to legally identify his son's body. Former partner Cheryl, with whom he shared a son, Bear, also took to Instagram with a heartfelt message that criticized media exploitation and was worried about how it could affect their seven-year-old son.
The news of Payne's death has sent shockwaves among his fans as vigils have been held across the UK. A vigil was held in Payne's hometown Wolverhampton on Friday, and another one is to be held at Liverpool today, Saturday, where fans lit candles and laid flowers.
