Popular 76-year-old composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has recently disclosed that former X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger was in contact through texts with late One Direction singer Liam Payne before his death. The “Teardrops” singer died at the young age of 31 because of the injuries sustained due to a fall from his hotel’s balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Nicole Scherzinger and Liam Payne texted each other before his death
Andrew Lloyd Webber recently celebrated the success of his musical Sunset Blvd., which features Nicole Scherzinger.
Webber told Billboard how the Pussycat Dolls singer has been dedicated and “extraordinary” in the musical. He also revealed that Liam Payne and Scherzinger were exchanging texts before he died on October 16, 2024.
The composer told the outlet, “I suppose something that hasn’t been said, and I suppose I could say, is that of course she mentored Liam, from One Direction. On the Wednesday when he died, she was still texting him that day.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber lauded Scherzinger’s professionalism, asserting how she continued with the musical despite learning about Liam Payne’s death. He said, “She’d just heard that he died, and the fact that she even did the show at all is extraordinary. She is without any question one of the finest performers I’ve ever worked with.”
Nicole Scherzinger’s association with Liam Payne goes back to 2010. She was a judge on X Factor UK in 2010, where he appeared as a participant. Moreover, Scherzinger assisted fellow judge Simon Cowell in teaming up a young Payne with his fellow bandmates. He, along with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson, went on to form One Direction.
The singer also made a post on her Instagram account paying tribute to Payne, following his death. Scherzinger stated, “I am grateful to have known your kind heart, sweet soul and character.” Furthermore, in a recent appearance on Good Morning America, she shared, “I’m heartbroken. I’m heartbroken for Liam, I’m heartbroken for his family and his loved ones and his friends,” she said. “Liam always led with his heart and with kindness, and I really hope that’s how he’ll always be remembered.”