By Romita Chakraborty
Liam Payne, former member of the best-selling boy band One Direction, unexpectedly died at 31 on Oct. 16 by falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina — leaving millions of fans worldwide in shock and mourning.
SUNY Plattsburgh holds a special connection to One Direction, as it served as a filming location for the band’s music video “Gotta Be You,” a track from their 2011 debut album “Up All Night.”
In the wake of Payne’s passing, students at the university created a shrine at the steps of Champlain Valley Hall, one of the prominent spots featured in the video, to honor his memory.
Sophia Cortese, a first-year history major in the adolescent education program, heard the news surrounded by her friends on the cheerleading team.
“We all held hands and said a prayer together for him,” Cortese said.
Across campus, many students have expressed their sorrow, sharing how One Direction’s music shaped their teenage years.
Katie Kearny, a sophomore and transfer student majoring in marketing, has been a fan of One Direction since she was 7 years old.
Kearny found out about the tragedy on a train back to Plattsburgh.
“When my friend, who has also been a fan for years and was a die-hard Liam fan, texted me, I was in shock,” Kearny said.
Emily Fagan, a senior majoring in communication sciences and disorders, was deeply saddened by the news.
“I started to cry, knowing that there wasn’t going to be a formal reunion of the band,” Fagan said. “It made me upset hearing about the way he had passed. I really hope his family and friends are doing okay and they are in my thoughts in this difficult time”.
Beyond the SUNY Plattsburgh community, Payne’s death sent shockwaves through the music industry and his fanbase, many of whom are struggling to come to terms with the loss of a beloved figure. The late One Direction star’s former bandmates Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan have all shared their personal goodbyes on Instagram.
CBS News notes that Payne’s family released a statement to PA Media, the U.K. and Ireland’s national news agency, on Thursday asking for privacy.
“We are heartbroken,” the statement read. “Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul.”
