English artist Zayn Malik announced on Saturday that he is delaying his upcoming tour in the United States due to the tragic passing of his former One Direction bandmate, Liam Payne. Zayn, widely known by his first name, expressed this decision on social media platform X, stating it was made in light of the “heartbreaking loss experienced this week.”

He shared that the U.S. portion of his “Stairway to the Sky” tour will be pushed to January, with the new dates to be confirmed and shared in the next few days. Originally, Zayn had performances scheduled for the coming week in San Francisco and Las Vegas, as well as subsequent shows in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and New York.

“Your tickets will still be valid for the new dates,” Zayn reassured his fans. “I love you all and appreciate your understanding during this difficult time.”

Liam Payne was tragically found dead on Wednesday after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, leading to widespread shock and sorrow among his friends, collaborators, and fellow artists.

In a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, Payne’s sister, Ruth Gibbins, expressed her disbelief and heartache. She reflected on the pride she felt in discussing Liam publicly but noted that she rarely shared about her life as his sister.

Ruth described her brother as someone who was “born with music in his veins,” and she reminisced about his remarkable ability to bring her joy and laughter. She poignantly stated, “I don’t feel this world was good enough or kind enough to you.”

One Direction, often regarded as the internet’s first boy band, reached an unprecedented level of fame that could be likened to Beatlemania. The members had to navigate the intense pressures of fame as teenagers, and later, they faced the challenges of separating to pursue their individual careers.

The exact details surrounding Payne’s death are still unclear, with Argentine authorities noting suspicious factors and the potential involvement of drugs. Toxicology results are anticipated in the weeks ahead. In July 2023, Payne acknowledged his struggles with alcoholism in a YouTube video, sharing that he had been sober for six months after undergoing treatment.