As the one-year anniversary of Liam Payne’s tragic death approaches, his girlfriend Kate Cassidy has turned to technology to hold on to memories of the late One Direction star.
The 26-year-old influencer posted a series of AI-generated images on her Instagram Story, showing herself and Payne posing together in romantic snapshots. Dressed in a light pink floral dress with a clutch in hand, Cassidy appeared alongside Payne.
The singer was digitally reimagined in a salmon-colored blazer, smiling as he wrapped his arms around her. “Thanks for making these,” she wrote over one of the posts. “AI is such a blessing and a curse.”
The bittersweet images, created by a fan, gave Cassidy a way to visualize herself back in the arms of the man she had been with for two years. Payne, remembered as the voice behind 'What Makes You Beautiful' and 'Story of My Life,' died on October 16, 2024, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. He was 31.
Investigators later confirmed his cause of death as multiple traumas from the fall. Reports revealed that his suite was left in disarray, with alcohol, drug paraphernalia, and multiple substances found in his system. Five individuals, including the hotel manager, a receptionist, a friend of Payne’s, and two others accused of supplying drugs, have since been charged in Argentina in connection with his death.
Cassidy had been traveling with Payne in Argentina for nearly two weeks before the accident, but returned to Florida early to be with her dog, Nala. A friend later told The Post that Payne had begged her to stay and spiraled after she left.
In the months since, Cassidy has shared her grief publicly. Just weeks ago, on what would have been Payne’s 32nd birthday, she baked a cake in his honor, decorating it with frosting and sprinkles before blowing out a candle. “Happy birthday Liam, I know you still have the sweetest tooth in heaven. I tried my best here but it’s the thought that counts enjoy,” she captioned the post.
She followed that tribute with a video montage of their time together, writing: “8.29.93. A special day for the most special soul. I miss you so much. Happy Birthday Liam. I wish we could celebrate together. In the next life I guess.”
Cassidy has also been candid about the day-to-day struggle of grieving. In one video, she filled a memory box with handwritten letters, Polaroids, and keepsakes, reflecting, “Don’t forget to write your loved ones a letter tomorrow is not guaranteed.”
Earlier this year, she broke down in an interview with Lorraine, admitting, “Sometimes it’s hard for me to get out of bed in the morning … but I have this responsibility and this obligation … I have to get out of bed (for my dog) Nala and whether it’s a five-minute walk or 20-minute walk, it just wakes me up and refreshes my mind instead of laying in bed all day scrolling through social media or old photos.”
Shortly after Payne’s passing, Cassidy wrote a raw message on Instagram. “Nothing about the past few days have felt real. I ask and pray that you’ll give me the grace and space to navigate this in private. Liam, my angel. You are everything. I want you to know I loved you unconditionally and completely. I will continue to love you for the rest of my life. I love you Liam.”