Liam Payne’s Girlfriend Says She Still Struggles to 'Accept' His Death

Cassidy had an emotional interview about how she's coping since Payne's death last October.

March 5, 2025

English singer Liam Payne and US actor Katie Cassidy pose on the red carpet upon arrival at The 2022 Fashion Awards in London on December 5, 2022.

DANIEL LEAL/AFP via Getty Images)

Kate Cassidy has gotten candid about losing her late partner, English artist Liam Payne, whom she dated for two years before his death.

Nearly four months after the former One Direction member succumbed to injuries after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Cassidy appeared on British talk show Lorraine, detailing her grief since Payne died last October.

Around the 6:45-minute mark of the video below, the influencer shared that she talks about Payne "so much in the present tense," as if the late pop artist is still alive. His death has also been "really hard to accept" for her.

"I don't even feel the need to correct myself because that's part of my healing journey," Cassidy explained. “I'm still working on accepting the fact that he's not here anymore, so it's hard for me to refer to him in the past tense.”

"When I do refer to him in the past tense, it almost stings that little bit more," Cassidy continued. "I never would have thought that I would be talking about him in the past tense, so it's definitely really hard to accept."

While visibly saddened, Cassidy maintained her composure during the interview, explaining that she has both "better days" and "harder days," while wiping a tear.

Assuring host Lorraine Kelly that she's "surrounded by such a great support system," Cassidy also shared her wellness routine and being as "productive" as possible.

"I’ll always have so much love for him … His presence was just comforting and warming, and that's something that I'll never forget about him," she concluded.

According to Payne's toxicology report, the artist consumed alcohol and multiple drugs, including "pink cocaine," before his death. Hotel staff reportedly locked Payne in his room when he began acting erratically, and five individuals, including the hotel manager and receptionist, have since been charged in his death.

In addition to Cassidy, Payne's family and friends, along with other One Direction members, have publicly grieved his passing.