Shawn Mendes Dedicates New Song ‘Heart of Gold’ to Liam Payne: ‘The World Is Crying for You, Brother’

Mar. 15, 2025

Shawn Mendes (left) and Liam Payne.Photo:Getty(2)

Getty(2)

Shawn Mendesis dedicating some of his new music to late One Direction memberLiam Payne.

On Friday, Oct. 18, the 26-year-old “Stitches” singer paused his concert in New York City to remember Payne,who died on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at age 31.

“We heard the news about Liam,” Mendes began, addressing the crowd at the Brooklyn Paramount Theater. “It felt like… It felt completely devastating. I got to meet him a couple times, and he was a beautiful soul and his eyes gleamed — it was beauty, shining into his eyes.”

Shawn Mendes (left) and Liam Payne.Getty(2)

“It’s about grieving those we miss with tears and it’s also about celebrating them and who they were and what they left in this world and I just want to take a second to send so much love to him, wherever he is up there. Liam, we love you,” he continued. “The world is crying for you, brother, and we’re all praying for your son and your family. I miss you. This one’s for you tonight, Liam, from all of us.”

Mendes then launched into his new song “Heart of Gold,” from his soon-to-be releasedself-titled album,Shawn. The Brooklyn concert was also seemingly a part of his forthcoming concert film,For Friends and Family Only,which is set to be released on Nov. 14, the eve of his album release.

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Payne died after hefell from a hotel balconyat the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Policía Federal Argentina previously confirmed to PEOPLE. Argentine news channelTNwas first to report the news.

On Thursday, Oct. 17, the One Direction band members —Louis Tomlinson,Harry Styles,Zayn MalikandNiall Horan— shared ajoint statement on Instagramthat said they are processing “the loss of our brother.”

The statement continued, in part: “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.”

source: people.com