‘Liam Would Want Me to Go’: Kate Cassidy Reveals How She’ll Spend the Anniversary of Liam Payne’s Death

Kate Cassidy, the girlfriend of the late One Direction star Liam Payne, has opened up about her plans for the first anniversary of the singer’s tragic death — and the emotional turmoil she still feels one year on.

The 24-year-old social media influencer took to TikTok earlier this week to share her reflections and reveal how she plans to spend the day that marks one year since Liam’s shocking passing. The beloved pop star died on October 16, 2024, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, after a fatal fall from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Palmero Hotel. He was just 31 years old.

‘The Hardest Week of My Life’

In a heartfelt and candid video, Kate told her followers that she plans to spend the day quietly, choosing not to attend any public events or gatherings on the anniversary itself. Instead, she revealed that she’ll be taking part in a previously arranged influencer trip to Miami, something she initially hesitated to accept due to the painful timing.

“After a lot of consideration, I know Liam would want me to go,” she explained to her 500,000 TikTok followers. “I’m not going to be doing anything on the 16th — I’ll be here in my apartment. I know for a fact I wouldn’t be able to commit to any plans that day.”

Kate described the lead-up to the anniversary as “the hardest week of my life,” admitting that her emotions fluctuate between numbness and overwhelming sadness. “I feel like no matter what I do, I get commentary,” she said. “If I make this video, people are going to be like, ‘Of course she had to make this video.’ If I didn’t make this video and just went on the trip, people would say, ‘How is she not in bed crying?’”

She continued: “It’s a no-win situation, but I’m doing what feels right to me. I’ve learned that grief doesn’t have rules. It comes and goes — and all I can do is survive it.”

A Relationship Built on Love and Struggle

Kate and Liam had been together for two years before his untimely death. The pair first went public in 2022, and although they mostly kept their relationship private, Kate was often seen supporting Liam during his health struggles and musical comeback efforts in the years before his passing.

The influencer recalled in her video that she had been with Liam in Argentina just days before the tragedy occurred. “We’d been there for two weeks,” she shared. “I actually left two days before he passed because the trip was extended, and I needed to get home to take care of our dog in Florida.”

Her decision to leave early has reportedly haunted her, though she made clear in the video that she has worked hard to make peace with that timing. “I’ve replayed those days in my head a million times,” she admitted. “But I know Liam wouldn’t want me living in guilt. He was always so encouraging and full of love.”

‘Liam Would Want Me to Keep Living’

Kate’s video struck a deeply emotional tone, showing her raw vulnerability as she tried to articulate how she’s coping one year after losing her partner. “There are moments where I feel him with me,” she said softly. “It’s almost like he’s reminding me to keep going. He’d want me to live, to smile, to keep creating — not to be stuck in the pain.”

She also addressed the criticism and scrutiny that has followed her since Liam’s death, saying she’s aware that whatever she does will be judged. “People will always have opinions, but grief isn’t a performance,” she added. “It’s personal, and it’s messy.”

Her words quickly spread across social media, with fans flooding her comment section with messages of empathy and support. “You don’t owe anyone an explanation,” one follower wrote. Another added, “Liam would be so proud of how strong you are.”

Remembering Liam Payne

Liam Payne, best known for his role as one of the five original members of One Direction, became one of the world’s most recognizable faces after the band’s meteoric rise to fame in the early 2010s. Following the group’s hiatus in 2016, Payne pursued a solo career, releasing his debut album LP1 in 2019.

His death in 2024 shocked fans worldwide. Tributes poured in from his former bandmates — Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik — as well as countless celebrities and fans across the globe.

A year later, the pain is still raw for many, especially for Kate, who continues to navigate her grief in the public eye. “Grief is something you carry forever,” she told fans. “But I’m trying to find light again — because that’s what Liam would have wanted.”

Moving Forward with Strength

As the anniversary passes, Kate says she plans to focus on gratitude rather than sorrow. “I miss him every day,” she said. “But I’m grateful for the time we had. I know he’s with me — and that’s what gives me the strength to move forward.”

Her message resonated deeply with fans, many of whom said her openness helped them process their own losses. “You turned your pain into something beautiful,” one user commented.

While she may spend the anniversary away from home, Kate’s words made it clear that her heart remains with Liam — a love story now frozen in time, but one she refuses to let fade.