Louis Tomlinson remarked that he and his fellow One Direction members have grown closer in the wake of Liam Payne’s tragic death. In an interview with Billboard, Tomlinson reflected on his time in the iconic boy band as well as his relationship with his former bandmates: Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan.
One Direction are ‘Closer’ After Liam’s Death
When asked about One Direction’s current relationship with each other, Tomlinson said that there’s a natural closeness between the four musicians. He continued, saying “it definitely feels closer than it was [before Payne’s death.]”
Tomlinson remarked that he will “never really accept” Payne’s passing. The singer died in October 2024 after he fell from a third-floor hotel balcony in Argentina. He was 31 years old.
Payne’s funeral was the first time the remaining four members had been seen together since the group’s split in 2016.
“I think we’re all so busy, it’s hard to keep that consistency,” said Tomlinson of staying in touch with his fellow One Direction alum. He explained that the amount of contact varies “person to person.”
“Like, Niall — and hopefully he’d say the same about me — we could not exchange a text in a whole year and then go for a beer and literally be chatting nonstop,” he said of his Irish bandmate. In 2025, Tomlinson revealed that Horan was the person who informed him of Payne’s death.
While its individual members’ careers are active and successful in their own rights, One Direction as a unit remains on hiatus. Styles recently teased a new album era while Tomlinson is set to embark on a European tour in March. Malik will begin a 7-date solo residency at Dolby Live in Las Vegas on January 20.
Louis and Zayn’s Upcoming Netflix Collaboration
Tomlinson also touched on his upcoming collaboration with Malik: a docuseries, which will debut on Netflix later this year. The 3-part program will follow the duo on a road trip they took across the United States in 2025. Tomlinson credits Malik for coming up with the “brilliant” idea.
“The series is a rare look inside the world of two of the most famous–and most private–men on the planet opening up about life, loss and fatherhood,” said representatives for Tomlinson and Malik.
Tomlinson and Malik are both fathers of one. Tomlinson shares a son, Freddie, with stylist Briana Jungwirth and Malik has a daughter, Khai, with model Gigi Hadid. Neither Tomlinson and Jungwirth nor Malik and Hadid are still together.
