Liam Payne's family mourns One Direction star's death at 31: 'Heartbroken'

Liam Payne's family and his celebrity friends are reacting to the former One Direction member's tragic death at 31.

The music world was left stunned Wednesday after Payne, who was one-fifth of the British boy band, was found dead after falling from his third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur hotel in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires.

In a statement Thursday, his family reacted to Payne's death, saying they are "heartbroken," according to BBC and PA Media.

"We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul," the statement read. "We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."

Payne rose to global fame as part of the since-disbanded pop band One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson. He was also father to a 7-year-old child, Bear, whom he shared with British singer Cheryl Cole.

A day after Payne's death, Styles, Horan and Tomlinson, as well as ex-bandmate Malik released a joint statement on Instagram sharing they were "completely devastated by the news of Liam's passing." The surviving members promised "there will be more to say" but expressed they needed "time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly."

"The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever," they said.

Tributes poured in from members of One Direction's inner circle as well as Payne's "Strip That Down" collaborator Quavo, singer and producer Charlie Puth and more.

Liam Payne, former One Direction member, dies at 31 after balcony fall in Argentina

Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles remember their 'friend' and 'brother'

Both Malik and Tomlinson addressed Payne directly in their social media posts on Thursday.

"I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly," Malik wrote, in part. "I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated."

"I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are. Love you bro," Malik, 31, concluded.

"I feel beyond lucky to have had you in my life but I'm really struggling with the idea of saying goodbye," Tomlinson's remembrance read, in part. "I'm so grateful that we got even closer since the band, speaking on the phone for hours, reminiscing about all the thousands of amazing memories we had together is a luxury I thought I'd have with you for life. I would have loved to share the stage with you again but it wasn’t to be."

The singer-songwriter also promised to look after Payne's 7-year-old son: "I want you to know that if Bear ever needs me I will be the Uncle he needs in his life and tell him stories of how amazing his dad was." He added, "I wish I got chance to say goodbye and tell you one more time how much I loved you."

Styles followed with his own post paying tribute to "my lovely friend."

"I am truly devastated by Liam's passing," Styles, 30, wrote in a slide that followed a photo of Payne performing on tour. "His greatest joy was making other people happy, and it was an honour to be alongside him as he did it."

"Liam lived wide open, with his heart on his sleeve, he had an energy for life that was infectious," the singer continued. "He was warm, supportive, and incredibly loving. The years we spent together will forever remain among the most cherished years of my life. I will miss him always, my lovely friend."

One Direction members mourn Liam Payne in joint statement: 'We will miss him terribly'

Harry Styles' mom, 1D's band members react: 'Just a boy'

Styles' mom, Anne Twist, took to Instagram on Wednesday to react to news of Payne's death. She screenshot a heartbreak emoji and simply captioned the image, "Just a boy ... ??."

Dan Richards, who played guitar for the band, expressed shock in his Instagram story.

"This all feels so surreal. Thanks to everyone reaching out, still trying to wrap my head around it all. My thoughts go out to (Liam's) family at this time," he wrote.

Drummer Josh Devine wrote in his Instagram Story: "Heartbreaking news. I just pray for (Liam's) family, and all that knew and loved him. Some of my fav memories in life were because of this man. No words. ??"

Bassist Sandy Beales shared a photo of himself and Payne performing on tour on Thursday and expressed his gratitude toward the singer.

"Love you mate. Words won’t ever fully do you justice but thank you. For everything. Always so full of life and always up for a laugh, insanely talented and charismatic on stage, it was a pleasure and an honour to stand up there with you," Beales wrote. "It felt like we all grew up together on the road, even when theatres turned in to stadiums you and the lads would still have time for everyone in the crew and we felt the love on that wild, crazy, life changing ride.

"It’s hard to think that there won’t be a chance to reminisce on those crazy times," he added. "Huge love and strength to Liam’s family and the 1D boys at this horrific time. We are all thinking of you! Thank you Payno."

'Strip That Down' collaborator Quavo mourns loss of Payne

In 2017, Payne released his most popular solo single ever, "Strip That Down," with the assistance of rapper Quavo, who mourned the loss of the former boy band member on his Instagram story on Monday.

"Rest In Paradise," he wrote with a prayer hand emoji on his Instagram story alongside a screenshot of an ABC News article.

Paris Hilton, Winnie Harlow, more stars react to Liam Payne's tragic death

Paris Hilton joined the memorials posted online following the news of the singer's death.

In a post on X, she wrote it was "so upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing??" She continued: "Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. ?? RIP my friend."

Winnie Harlow, the supermodel, called Payne a "kind angel" and said "I pray peace for your kind soul."

One Direction's former hairdresser Lou Teasdale also paid tribute, writing, "Sending you all so much love."

Zedd, who collaborated on Payne's "Get Low," mourned the British musician on X, writing: "RIP Liam… I can't believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking."

Former British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful reacted to Payne's death, calling the singer "a true friend."

"One of the most loyal, sensitive, dynamic, funny and unique people I ever had the good fortune to meet," the creative director captioned a carousel of photos of him and Payne.

911 call made before Liam Payne's death says he was 'breaking the whole room' before fall

'X Factor' network ITV mourns loss of Liam Payne

Payne first came to fame as a teen on "X Factor," the ITV music competition show where One Direction was formed. The series' television network, ITV, is now mourning his loss.

"Liam Payne's passing is a tragic loss to everyone who knew him personally, and to the global fanbase who took One Direction to their hearts," the British network wrote in a statement on Instagram. "Having worked closely with Liam on The X Factor and in more recent years on Soccer Aid, everyone at ITV sends their very deepest sympathies to Liam's family and friends at this immensely sad time."

Payne auditioned twice for the U.K. reality program "The X-Factor" before being launched into superstardom. He advanced after auditioning in 2008 and 2010 and was cut both times. However, in 2010, he was saved from elimination when Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh folded him into a band with fellow teen solo artists Styles, Horan, Tomlinson and Malik.

His record label, Republic Records, called Payne "an icon of his generation" in a social media tribute.

"????? We are deeply saddened and devastated by the tragic passing of Liam Payne, an extraordinary artist whose music touched millions," the statement read. "His legacy will live on through the timeless work he created, and he will forever be remembered as an icon of his generation. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and fans during this difficult time."

One Direction's management, Modest, remembered Payne for the happiness millions of fans experienced because of him.

"We are absolutely devastated by the tragic news of Liam Payne’s passing. Liam was a huge part of the historic success of One Direction and brought so much pleasure to millions of fans around the globe who are all heartbroken today," Modest Management's Instagram post reads. "Our thoughts go out to all his family, his son Bear and all friends. Sending deep love and condolences from the Modest! family.....forever in our hearts Payno."

Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood and James Corden look back on memories with Liam Payne

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood, who played assist as the band performed "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" on "The X-Factor" in 2014, revealed he was "shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Liam Payne."

"It was a pleasure to work with him on our X Factor performance," Wood wrote alongside a clip of the performance. "God bless Liam, thinking of all his loved ones. He will be dearly missed.??"

Former "The Late Late Show" host James Corden, a longtime friend of the 1D members, took to Instagram to share, "Talking about Liam in the past tense is utterly heartbreaking. He was such a loving and kind soul. I will treasure the moments I got to spend with him. My thoughts are with his family today x."

Charlie Puth pays tribute to Liam Payne: 'I am in shock right now'

"I am in shock right now," Puth wrote on Instagram, recalling "Liam was always so kind to me."

"He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone...," he wrote. The 32-year-old singer-songwriter also shared a video of the two laughing together and wrote, "I'm so upset right now, may he rest in peace."

Camilla Cabello, whose group Fifth Harmony formed on "The X-Factor" a year after One Direction was born, called Payne's death a "tragedy."

"Thank you Liam for all the joy you brought my friends and I. It really made an impression on me as a young girl to meet a member of a group I loved and have him be so kind," she wrote in her Instagram Story. "It's a tragedy to have him gone way too soon."

It's OK to grieve. Liam Payne's death is especially difficult for Gen Z and millennials.

More celebs react to Payne's death, including 'Fifty Shades' author E L James and Juicy J

Other celebrities expressing condolences on social media included Juicy J, Flavor Flav and several former "X-Factor" contestants, among others. See their posts below:

This story has been updated to include additional information and a video.

Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY; Sarah Morland, Brendan O'Boyle and Anthony Esposito in Mexico City, Eliana Raszewski, Agustin Marcarian and Adam Jourdan in Buenos Aires and William James in London, Reuters

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected] and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Liam Payne's death: His family, One Direction members share tributes