Harry Styles is opening up about the tragic death of Liam Payne.

In a recent interview, the "Aperture" singer admitted that he still struggles with talking about the loss of his One Direction bandmate, who tragically died in October 2024 at the age of 31. He explained that it was "strange" navigating the personal grief of losing someone close to him while the world also mourned his loss, per People.

"I think there was a period when he passed away where I really struggled with acknowledging how strange it is to have people kind of like own part of your grief in a way," he said. "I have such strong feelings around my friend passing away and then suddenly being aware that there's maybe a desire from other people of you to convey that in some way, or it means you're not feeling what you're feeling or something, you know."

The Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally. musician continued, "And 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."

Style reflected on how the "really sad" situation has impacted the way he looks at his life and how he will continued to honor Payne, who he called a "super special person."

"It was a really important moment for me in terms of taking a look at my life and being able to say to myself, like, 'OK, what do I want to do with my life? How do I want to live my life?' And I think the greatest way you can honor your friends who pass away is by living your life to the fullest."

Payne passed away October 16, 2024, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Following his death, One Direction released a joint statement mourning the loss of their "brother" and each of his bandmates shared their own tribute to their late friend. Styles penned an emotional message stating that his "heart breaks" with over loss of his "lovely friend," adding that Payne's "greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it."

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Jillian Escoto