Cole is referencing the gruesomely detailed reports of Payne’s passing, the most harrowing of which came from TMZ — the outlet’s coverage of the incident included graphic photos that purportedly confirmed the singer’s death. The tabloid publication has drawn immense backlash from both fans of Payne, fellow celebrities and those who knew him, and the general public; at the time of writing, TMZ has not yet issued a public apology, but removed the photos from their initial story.
“I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces,” Cole wrote in her post. “Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them. Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last.”
Cole and Payne first met on the set of The X Factor, while she was a judge and he was a contestant. The couple went public with their relationship in 2016, and welcomed their child Bear Grey in 2017. The couple split a year after Bear’s birth. “It’s been a tough decision for us to make. We still have so much love for each other as a family,” Payne wrote in a Twitter post announcing their breakup during the summer of 2018. “Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together.”
“There’s no animosity whatsoever. We are learning all the time,” Cole said in 2019, after a few months of co-parenting with Payne. “And it’s good, it’s healthy. We’re just like any other couple that have gone through this, but we have a few more eyes watching us… just a few.”
Many have been awaiting a public statement from Cole; her post comes hours after all four remaining members of One Direction issued their own tributes in remembrance of their former bandmate.
“In time, and when everyone is able to, there will be more to say. But for now, we will take some time to grieve and process the loss of our brother, who we loved dearly,” Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Niall Horan wrote in a joint statement shared on Thursday. “The memories we shared with him will be treasured forever. For now, our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the fans who loved him alongside us. We will miss him terribly. We love you Liam.”
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