Naomi Campbell Reacts to Liam Payne's Death Years After They Were Romantically Linked

Mar. 15, 2025

Naomi Campbell and Liam Payne.Photo:Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty; David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty; David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty

Naomi Campbellis sharing her reaction toLiam Payne’s death for the first time.

The supermodel, 54, commented onNicole Scherzinger’s Friday, Oct. 25Instagrampost honoring Payne following his death on Oct. 16.

Scherzinger, 46, discussed her friendship over the years with Payne while passing on her condolences to his family and friends, while Campbell shared her response to the emotional tribute in the comment section, posting, “🕊️💔🕊️🙏🏾."

PEOPLE has contacted Campbell’s representatives for further comment.

Paynedied at the age of 31after falling multiple stories at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Oct. 16, Policía Federal Argentina confirmed to PEOPLE.

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Campbell pictured in March 2023.Stefanie Keenan/Getty

Stefanie Keenan/Getty

Campbell and Payne first sparked rumors of a romance in early 2019, after being photographed at several of the same events and exchangingflirty messages on social media.

The pair attended a Formula E event in Hong Kong in March of that year, though they were not photographed together, according toThe Sun. That same month, U.K. newspaperMetrosaid Campbell and Payne attended an event at London’s National Portrait Gallery.

The supermodel and late singer alsoexchanged flirty messages on Instagramat the time of the dating rumors. In January 2019, Campbell commented, “Beautiful soul” under a shirtless photo of Payne as he wrote days later in a response to a selfie Campbell posted, “Perfection in a person…”

“I plead the fifth — it’s my right as a human,” he joked on the show at the time.

Payne pictured in November 2019.Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage

Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage

Campbell also refused to comment on the dating rumors between the pair as she appeared onThe Jonathan Ross Showin March 2019. “I never discuss my personal life,” she responded when asked about the nature of her relationship with Payne.

Campbell’s reaction to Scherzinger’s tribute to Payne comes as the singer and talent show host spoke of her bond with Payne after working with him at the start of his career as part of the band One Direction onThe X Factor.

“Dear Liam, I will forever cherish and treasure the time we shared together, from fifteen years ago when One Direction was born, right up until just a few weeks ago,” Scherzinger wrote alongside two photos of her, Payne andKelly Rowland.

“It was such a blessing to get to work with you recently. We shared the same love and passion for music and I will forever remember the meaningful and joyful conversations we had," the formerPussycat Dollsstar continued. “It’s been so hard to process that you’re no longer here … I will ‘miss you’ my friend and carry you in my heart."

source: people.com