One Direction

Simon Cowell is speaking out for the first time since former protégé Liam Payne died ... issuing a poignant statement on social media.

"The X Factor" creator posted on Instagram, revealing he is "truly devastated" following the news about the singer -- who Simon tapped to join One Direction back in 2010.

Simon wrote to Liam directly in his statement, expressing ... "Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you."

Liam Payne's heartbroken dad made his first public appearance since his son's tragic death, after making the trip from the UK to Argentina.

Geoff Payne was spotted leaving his hotel Friday morning, on his way to the Buenos Aires Judicial Office.

Geoff, wearing a navy suit, had a crowd of people around him ... no doubt there to support him during this tough time.

Niall Horan is still struggling to accept the death of his friend and former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne ... opening up about his grief in a new statement.

The Irish singer posted to Instagram Friday morning, 2 days after Liam died in Buenos Aires, Argentina after falling from his hotel balcony. In the note to fans, Niall reiterated how "absolutely devastated" he's feeling after the passing of his longtime friend ... a sentiment previously expressed in One Direction's joint message Thursday.

Niall remembered Liam for his "energy for life and a passion for work," adding LP was "the brightest" in every room they were in.

More superstars from the UK are showing their love for Liam Payne online ... with both Sharon Osbourne and Robbie Williams sending out messages to the late One Direction star.

Osbourne -- who was a judge on "The X Factor," though not when One Direction formed on the show -- posted to Instagram Thursday ... saying her heart goes out to Liam, and claiming the whole industry let him down.

She says LP was just a kid when he came up in the music world ... and, she doesn't think there was enough protection for him -- asking "Who was in your corner?"

Liam Payne's death is continuing to send shockwaves throughout Hollywood ... with countless celebrities taking to social media to pay tribute in the aftermath of his passing.

As you know, many A-listers posted online in the hours after news of the One Direction alum's death in Argentina broke Wednesday. As word of Liam's fatal fall spread across the globe, more and more stars are paying tribute to the late singer.

Halsey posted on her Tumblr Thursday, where she confirmed she was a devoted Directioner during 1D's heyday. She wrote ... "As a parent, a fellow artist, and a fan, i simply cannot fathom this untimely loss. my heart goes out to his family, friends, and the fans."

4:05 PM PT -- Harry Styles is also paying tribute to Liam Payne ... saying he's "truly devastated" by Liam's death.

Harry says Liam's "greatest joy was making other people happy" ... and he's remembering Liam for living "wide open, with his heart on his sleeve." Harry also says Liam "had an energy for life that was infectious" and he was "warm, supportive and incredibly loving."

HS adds his heart breaks for Liam's family ... including his son, Bear.

2:08 PM PT -- Zayn Malik has issued his own personal tribute to late One Direction member Liam Payne ... expressing his sadness in a heartbreaking Instagram upload.

Alongside a photo of himself and Liam seemingly napping during their 1D touring days, Zayn shared his regret for never thanking LP for helping him through "some of the most difficult times," including when he was homesick at 17.

As he continued, Zayn remembered Liam as being "head strong" and "opinionated," admitting they "butted heads" at times. Nonetheless, Zayn said he "secretly respected" Liam for his give "no f**ks" attitude.

Zayn signed off his note by expressing his love for Liam, who he praised as "the most qualified" musician.

Louis Tomlinson is sharing his grief following the death of former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne ... posting a poignant tribute to his social media.

In the wake of Liam's death in Argentina Wednesday, Louis posted to Instagram, where he shared he is "beyond devastated" by his peer's untimely passing.

He wrote ... "Yesterday I lost a brother. Liam was somebody I looked up to everyday, such a positive, funny, and kind soul."

Liam Payne died by an apparent suicide ... local law enforcement in Argentina now says the fall from his third-floor hotel room was intentional.

A police official in Buenos Aires told The Associated Press Liam "had jumped from the balcony of his room."

According to the preliminary autopsy issued by government officials, the fall resulted in multiple injuries including “internal and external hemorrhage." The toxicology report is still pending.

Liam Payne's family is sharing their grief in the aftermath of the One Direction alum's fatal fall in Argentina.

The late singer's loved ones issued a statement Thursday, a day after Liam fell from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina and died.

In a note shared with the BBC, Liam's family said they are "heartbroken" following the news of his passing, and are taking time to remember the pop star's personality and legacy.

Rita Ora's clearly feeling the loss of Liam Payne ... getting so emotional at her show last night, she couldn't even sing -- and straight-up walked off the stage at one point.

The singer-songwriter performed in Japan just hours after news of Liam's tragic death in Argentina broke ... and, she played her hit song "For You" -- the track recorded for "Fifty Shades Freed," which features Liam.

While the song plays, Rita walks around the stage looking at the audience and waving her hands in the air. She's letting her fans drive this one -- allowing them to lead the music.

Simon Cowell is taking a brief step back from the spotlight following the tragic death of former protégé Liam Payne.

"Britain's Got Talent," the long-running competition series created by Simon, canceled its Thursday taping after the One Direction star's passing in Buenos Aires, Argentina Wednesday.

This isn't surprising given Simon's long history with Liam and his band, One Direction. Remember, Simon formed the popular boy band on "The X Factor (UK)" ... another singing competition show created by the music mogul.

Liam Payne's girlfriend left Argentina without the singer days before his death ... saying she didn't want to stay in one place too long -- and, bailed after a 5-day trip turned into 2 weeks.

Kate Cassidy -- a social media influencer based in Miami -- posted a video chronicling her journey back to the States from Buenos Aires on Monday ... 2 days before Liam fell to his death at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel.

Cassidy starts the clip by saying she's leaving the country because she doesn't like sticking around in one place too long ... saying she'd originally planned to stay 5 days, but she'd stuck around for about 2 weeks -- and, she just needed to go home.

Liam Payne's beloved professional soccer club is addressing the singer's tragic death ... sharing a heartfelt message in his honor.

The former One Direction member was a passionate soccer fan, specifically of West Bromwich Albion F.C. of the EFL Championship ... and attended numerous matches over the years.

Shortly after the news broke of Payne's passing ... WBA released a statement on social media.

3:33 PM PT -- Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... Liam Payne and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy arrived in Argentina on September 30, posting several social media posts together showing them having fun on vacation. We're told she left Argentina on the 14th. Liam stayed behind, and checked into the CasaSur Palermo Hotel.

We're told someone at the hotel called 911 to report an "aggressive" male at the hotel today ... which lines up with what witnesses told us about Liam's behavior in the lobby.

Liam Payne is dead after a fall from his hotel balcony in Argentina ... TMZ has learned.

Simon Cowell is ready to get back into the boy band game ... and is already on the hunt for his next One Direction-esque success story.

Almost 15 years after making magic by bringing together Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik as a group on "X Factor," the record executive is searching for "future megastars" who are ready to put in the work to achieve international fame.

Simon announced his new project Tuesday, dropping recruitment billboards across London, which read ... "Simon needs you! Future megastars wanted for new boyband. No timewasters."

Harry Styles is the latest of Taylor Swift's exes to get shaded in a new vault track ... this according to fans who are convinced he's the "lying traitor" she's singing about.

On "1989 (Taylor's Version)," which dropped Friday, there's a new song -- "Is It Over Now?" -- and Swifties are convinced it's about her brief relationship with the former One Direction star.

Taylor and Harry dated from 2012 to 2013, and the original "1989" album came out in 2014, so the timeline's already telling ... but the lyrics are even a bigger clue, according to fans -- talking about a time her ex "lost control," resulting in "red blood" and "white snow."

Fans have started to connect the dots ... saying Taylor claimed in 2014 she got into a snowmobile accident with an ex. At the time, Harry was spotted with a bandage on his chin.

She sang about the accident in the track "Out of the Woods," also from 2014 -- “Remember when you hit the brakes too soon/Twenty stitches in a hospital room/When you started crying, baby, I did too.”

That's not all ... the new song talks about Taylor wearing a "blue dress on a boat," and a pic from 2013 showed her wearing exactly that while taking a boat ride away from the Virgin Islands, where she was vacationing with Harry.

Harry Styles es el último de los ex de Taylor Swift que está siendo despreciado, esto, de acuerdo con los fans, quienes están convencidos de que él es el "traidor mentiroso" al que hace referencia la nueva pista de su álbum remasterizado

En la nueva versión de "1989 (Taylor's Version)", que salió el viernes, hay una nueva canción "Is It Over Now?", y los Swifties están convencidos de que se trata sobre su breve relación con la ex estrella de One Direction.

Taylor y Harry salieron de 2012 a 2013, y el álbum original "1989" salió en 2014, por lo que la línea de tiempo ya es reveladora. Pero la letra de esta nueva canción da aún más pistas, según los fans. En ella se refiere a un momento en que su ex "perdió el control", lo que terminó en "sangre roja" y "nieve blanca".

Los fans han comenzado a conectar los puntos, diciendo que Taylor afirmó en 2014 que se metió en un accidente de moto de nieve con un ex. En ese momento, Harry fue visto con un vendaje en la barbilla.

Ella cantó sobre el accidente en la pista "Out of the Woods", también de 2014. La letra dice: "Recuerda cuando pisaste los frenos demasiado pronto/Veinte puntos de sutura en una habitación de hospital/Cuando empezaste a llorar, baby, yo también lo hice".

Eso no es todo, la nueva canción habla de Taylor usando un "vestido azul en un barco", y una foto de 2013 la mostró usando exactamente el mismo atuendo mientras daba un paseo en barco lejos de las Islas Vírgenes, donde estaba de vacaciones con Harry.