Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
British pop star Harry Styles has finally opened up about the death of his former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne, admitting he “really struggled” to publicly mourn the star.
Speaking in an extended interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, Styles said he didn’t feel comfortable with the public’s expectation that he would be more open about acknowledging the tragedy.
“Full transparency: It’s something that I, even the idea of talking about it, feel like I struggle with that a little bit,” the 32-year-old told Lowe.
“I think there was a period when he passed away, where I really struggled with kind of like acknowledging how strange it is to have people, kind of like, own part of your grief in a way.”
Styles added that despite his silence, he was still hurting.
And what made the Aperture singer’s reflection more painful was that he saw many similarities between he and his mate of almost 15 years.
“I have such strong feelings around my friend passing away and then suddenly being aware of there’s maybe like a desire from other people of you to to convey that in some way, or it means you’re not feeling what you’re feeling,” he continued.
“It’s so difficult to lose a friend. It’s difficult to lose any friend, but it’s so difficult to lose a friend who is so like you in so many ways.
“It’s like I saw someone with the kindest heart who just wanted to be great.
“It was a really important moment for me in terms of taking a look at my life and being able to say to myself, ‘Okay, what do I want to do with my life? How do I want to live my life?’”
Styles said the lesson his mate’s death taught him was that life is precious.
“And I think the greatest way you can honour your friends who pass away is by living your life to the fullest,” he concluded.
“Super special person, and really sad.”
One Direction formed in 2010 on talent show The X Factor K, and also featured Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik.
Malik left the band in 2015 and One Direction disbanded a year later.
All the band members have since continued to release music individually, with Styles arguably the most revered solo artist.
Recently announcing a seven-city Together, Together world tour, he will play two shows in each of Melbourne and Sydney in 2026.
Styles is also set to release his fourth studio album on Friday, titled Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.
