Directioners are thanking and supporting Justin Bieber after he paid tribute to Liam Payne.
The singer took to Instagram to share a message following Liam's sudden death in Argentina last week.
Justin, shared a fan-made video montage of the floral tributes and messages laid in Liam's memory, with the caption: "Rest easy, Liam," alongside a white heart.
A voiceover on the video said: "Just remember: you are allowed to grieve as a fan. You are allowed to love someone you've never met. You are allowed to admire someone for their art. You are allowed, to cry, to break, to feel like a part of you is gone."
Even if they never knew your name, they changed your world.
Following his Story repost, Directioners flocked to the comments of Justin’s latest Instagram post and the reshared video to thank the singer for validating their grief.
“Justin sharing this is so validating for how fans care about him too. I'm glad he accepts our love❤️🩹,” one commenter wrote.
Another agreed: “Thank you for validating my grief over Liam and please take care of yourself. Justin, I love you ❤️.”
“Justin Bieber is a real one for showing his empathy ❤️🩹🙏,” added a third.
Others shared support for Bieber who rose to fame in 2010 at the young age of 12.
“So happy that you're well and still alive, you've helped so many people, you're part of each and every one of us,” one fan wrote.
“It's not just your music that makes us happy it's you too, when you make us laugh, when you share your daily life with us, your best moments your dreams your laughter your sorrows, we live it with you 🤍,” they added. “We love you so much I want you to know.”
Another echoed: “You are loved dearly remember that💜💜.”
Justin has publicly and privately faced his own struggles with mental health in the music industry.
He was at the top of the charts in the 2010s at the same time as One Direction. Liam once made a public dig at Justin, which reportedly started some animosity between the pair.
In 2022, Liam recalled how he unwittingly started a feud with Justin, when he was "drunk" on Instagram.
When someone mentioned Justin Bieber's name, Liam recalled, "I was like, 'well the only thing between me and him is I haven't been arrested'", saying that he never intended to offend Justin.
He added: "It started some beef."
A few years after the incident, Liam bumped into Justin at an awards ceremony. He told how he thought, "I'll have a chat with him," noting that Justin had "grown as a person."
He revealed he said to Justin: "I've always felt for you... number one, I've done all the things that you've done and I've never been caught for any of them... number two, I've always really felt for you, mate.”
I think in our situation we all suffer from the same disease.
He said how Justin replied, "Bro, that's given me chills." The pair became friends from then on.
Payne is survived by his seven-year-old son Bear, whom he shared with ex and former ‘X Factor’ judge Cheryl Cole.
Are you or is someone you know struggling? Here are some resources available to support you, and remember, it's okay to talk.
