News | Entertainment
12 Jun 2025 13:45
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Simon Cowell was "absolutely devastated" by the death of Liam Payne, according to his close friend Sinitta

    The One Direction singer passed away at the age of 31 last October after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the 'So Macho' hitmaker - who first met Liam when he auditioned for 'The X Factor' at the age of 14 - has reflected on the moment she heard the news about the tragedy


    Sinitta told OK!: "On the night it happened I had gone to bed early but left my phone on in the other room. I kept hearing it clicking with new messages. In the morning, I saw the messages and was in complete shock. I literally couldn't speak. It was like living through a nightmare."

    The 61-year-old star contacted her former partner Cowell and admits that his heartbroken reaction has remained in her mind ever since.

    Sinitta recalled: "He was absolutely devastated. I hadn't heard him so upset since his mum died. He sobbed down the phone to me. He couldn't contain his emotions - it was hard to know what to say to him."

    The star explained that she "couldn't stop thinking" about Liam's former partner Cheryl and the couple's son Bear, eight, when she heard about his passing.

    She said: "All I could think about was Cheryl and Bear."

    Sinitta explained that she still thought of Liam as a "little boy" after meeting him as a teenager - two years before he was put together with his One Direction bandmates on the 2010 series of the reality show and propelled to global fame.

    She said: "To me, he was still that little boy who made it all the way to Barbados (for Judges' Houses) because he was determined to be on the show.

    "Simon and I loved him and begged him to come back. He did - and ended up being the lead singer in One Direction. You never expect anyone younger than you to suddenly die."

    Cowell, 65, attended Liam's funeral and consoled his parents Karen and Geoff and Sinitta felt that the act was testament to the character of a man she has known for more than 40 years.

    She said: "It was very brave of him to be able to go the funeral and comfort Liam's parents."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     12 Jun: Sydney Sweeney believes in the "ten-year plan"
     12 Jun: Brad Pitt craved the approval of motorsport fans while filming F1
     12 Jun: Justin Baldoni intends to keep going with his legal battle with Blake Lively
     12 Jun: Ciara had to get her daughter to "pull back" on copying her raunchy dance moves
     12 Jun: Glen Powell's ex-girlfriend "hoped" he'd end up with Sydney Sweeney
     12 Jun: Miley Cyrus' raunchy image caused her relationships to "fall apart"
     12 Jun: Addison Rae wants to ditch her second name
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Blues aren't preparing for a full 80 minutes of tough slog against the Crusaders in tomorrow night's Super Rugby semi-final in Christchurch...they're gearing up to play EVEN LONGER More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    New Zealand's reliance on coal and gas continues to reduce More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Sydney Sweeney believes in the "ten-year plan" 13:35

    Rugby League:
    Warriors second rower Kurt Capewell should be focusing on his State of Origin recall...but he's being bombarded with questions about his club's hot form 13:26

    Living & Travel:
    Pope Leo XIV appoints Bishop Joseph Lin Yuntuan to continue deal with China over appointments 13:06

    Business:
    New Zealand's reliance on coal and gas continues to reduce 13:06

    Entertainment:
    Brad Pitt craved the approval of motorsport fans while filming F1 13:05

    Entertainment:
    Justin Baldoni intends to keep going with his legal battle with Blake Lively 12:35

    Rugby League:
    Recalled State of Origin second rower Kurt Capewell has promised to help the Queensland forwards stand up to their New South Wales opposites 12:26

    Rugby:
    The Blues aren't preparing for a full 80 minutes of tough slog against the Crusaders in tomorrow night's Super Rugby semi-final in Christchurch...they're gearing up to play EVEN LONGER 12:26

    Entertainment:
    Ciara had to get her daughter to "pull back" on copying her raunchy dance moves 12:05

    Business:
    The Campaign for Wool group is crunching the numbers to see if it can make enough carpets 11:56


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd