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

Liam Payne’s girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, has opened up about how she plans to spend the first anniversary of the One Direction star’s tragic death, revealing that she will be on an influencer trip in Miami — and insisting that it’s what Liam “would have wanted.”

The former boyband member died in Buenos Aires on October 16, 2024, at the age of just 31, after falling from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur Palmero Hotel. His sudden passing sent shockwaves across the world, leaving fans devastated and the music industry in mourning.

Now, exactly one year on from the heartbreaking tragedy, Kate has spoken publicly about her grief — and her decision to mark the anniversary in her own way.

‘Liam Would Want Me to Go’

In a new TikTok video shared on Wednesday, the American model and influencer explained that she’ll be spending Thursday in Miami, having agreed to attend a brand trip that coincidentally takes place just 20 minutes from her home.

“I was really hesitant about saying yes,” she admitted. “The timing obviously felt off, but something in me said Liam would want me to go. I felt like it was almost meant to be — that this trip happened to be so close by. It just felt like a sign.”

Kate, who dated Liam for two years before his death, said she had struggled with how to approach the milestone. “I didn’t know what to do with myself,” she said. “There’s no handbook for this kind of thing. But I know Liam wouldn’t want me to stay home and be miserable. He’d want me to keep living.”

Remembering Their Final Goodbye

Just a day earlier, on Tuesday, Kate shared an emotional video reflecting on the last time she saw Liam alive — a bittersweet memory from October 12, 2024, when the couple said goodbye at the end of a two-week trip together in Argentina.

Fighting back tears, she told her followers: “One year ago today was the last day I spent with Liam. I come on here not to cry, but honestly I feel so numb. It’s like I can’t even process it.”

“I woke up feeling this strange numbness. I actually think someone could slap me across the face and I wouldn’t even be fazed,” she confessed. “So if I don’t seem like I have a ton of emotion, that’s why.”

Despite her grief, Kate wanted to use the video to share an important message. “I wanted to make this video because it’s so important to remind your loved ones how much you love them,” she said softly. “You never know what tomorrow brings.”

‘A Long, Heartfelt Goodbye’

Kate went on to recall her final moments with the singer, describing a quiet, emotional farewell before she left for the airport.

“The last day I was with Liam in Argentina, the car was already in the driveway,” she said. “I was sitting on the couch, just telling him how much I was going to miss him, how much I loved him. It was one of those long, heartfelt goodbyes where you just hold on a little longer.”

She described the memory as “bittersweet,” adding that she often replays it in her mind. “Looking back, it’s strange — almost like the universe was telling me something,” she said. “We hugged for what felt like forever. Neither of us wanted to let go.”

A Year of Healing

In the year since Liam’s passing, Kate has largely stayed out of the spotlight, occasionally sharing glimpses of her grief journey with followers. Her decision to speak out this week marks one of the few times she has publicly reflected on her late boyfriend’s death.

“Grief isn’t linear,” she explained. “Some days you feel strong, other days you can barely get out of bed. I’ve learned that healing doesn’t mean forgetting — it means finding a way to carry them with you.”

She also shared how Liam’s family has supported her over the past year. “They’ve been incredible. We check in on each other. It’s a connection that never really goes away.”

Fans Rally Around Kate

Following her emotional posts, fans flooded Kate’s social media with messages of love and support. “You’re so strong, Liam would be proud of you,” one user commented. Another wrote: “The way you still talk about him with so much love breaks my heart.”

Others praised her honesty and courage. “It takes so much strength to show your grief so openly,” one fan said. “Thank you for reminding us to cherish the people we love.”

Moving Forward, But Never Forgetting

As the first anniversary of Liam Payne’s death passes, Kate says she wants to focus on remembering the good times rather than reliving the pain.

“Liam brought so much light into my life,” she said. “I’ll always miss him, but I’m grateful for every single day we had together. This trip isn’t about moving on — it’s about moving forward, with him still in my heart.”