Liam Payne's sisters, unwavering in their devotion, will forever remain his foremost champions. Eight months have elapsed since the tragic discovery of the former One Direction member, who passed away after an accidental fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires last October. Now, as the world witnesses the culmination of his final endeavor, 'Building the Band,' his elder siblings, Ruth Gibbins and Nicola Payne, have expressed their heartfelt sentiments through poignant social media postings.
"Through the years, I've celebrated numerous triumphs and milestones as your proud sister, and none fills me with greater pride than this show," penned Nicola, 37, on her Instagram Stories upon the series' trailer release. "I'm certain you're beaming with pride from above." She continued, "Reliving these moments over the past few months has provided a bridge for us to still feel your presence, to witness your brilliance at its finest. I'm overjoyed that the world gets to savor it all now too. You are an eternal beacon of light, missed beyond words, loved beyond measure."
Ruth, too, couldn't contain her emotions as she spoke of the uniqueness in witnessing Liam's work mere weeks before his untimely demise. "I hesitated to share this, given that I've extolled Liam's endeavors and accomplishments for the past 15 years," the 34-year-old posted on her Instagram Stories on June 24. "It breaks my heart that he never got to witness his own greatness on this show." She further mused, "He knew he had excelled; we all assured him of this during filming, but revisiting it, the talent astounds me! You are a star, Liam, now and forever. Watching this evoked a spectrum of emotions, but pride stands paramount. I miss you more each day."
Premiering on July 9, the Netflix series features 50 singers forming six bands blindly to vie for the top spot. Liam's insightful industry knowledge and personal experiences shone through as he mentored young vocal talents and artists. "You were and will always be a star, my brother," Ruth added. "The pride I feel watching this is boundless. You are missed deeply each passing day."
Earlier in April, Ruth marked the six-month anniversary of her brother's passing by reflecting on the profound impact his loss had on her life. "My mind still screams for you," she wrote on Instagram on April 16. "Each morning, I awaken feeling submerged, gasping for air that never arrives to ease my pain. Living without you seems impossible, so I merely exist. I'm learning to laugh and smile when appropriate, but it's exhausting when all I crave is to converse with you." She continued, "In rare instances where I allow myself to feel love amidst the loss, I cherish our memories, like the laughter we shared while attempting to recreate a YouTube video. Yet, these cherished recollections are tinged with sorrow, a poignant reminder of how unfair it is that we can't create new ones together."
