AceShowbiz - On Wednesday evening, October 16, tragic news emerged that One Direction star Liam Payne had passed away at the age of 31 after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The circumstances surrounding his death are still under investigation.

Just hours after the news broke, singer Rita Ora took to the stage in Japan to perform "For You," a duet she recorded with Payne for the soundtrack of the film "Fifty Shades Freed." Overcome with emotion, Ora struggled to finish the song, her voice breaking as she turned away from the crowd and looked up to the sky.

In heartbreaking footage posted online, Ora, 33, was seen holding her head in her hands and saying, "I can't even sing this right now."

Following the performance, Ora posted a touching tribute to Payne on social media, writing, "I'm devastated [broken heart emoji] He had the kindest soul, I will never forget. I loved working with him so much - he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage. This tragic news breaks my heart. Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones. Our song For You takes on a whole new meaning for me now. R.I.P."

Payne's sudden passing has sparked an outpouring of grief from fans and industry figures alike. Former "The X Factor" judge Dermot O'Leary recalled Payne as a "joy" who "had time for everyone." Singer Olly Murs described him as "truly gutted and devastated," while The Backstreet Boys extended their condolences to "Directioners around the world."

Prior to his death, Payne had been in Argentina for two weeks with his girlfriend, Kate Cassidy. Cassidy had returned home to the United States on Monday, two days before Payne's passing. She has not yet commented on his death.

Payne rose to fame as a member of One Direction, which dominated the charts and shattered records worldwide. The group went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016, and Payne went on to pursue a solo career, releasing his debut album "LP1" in 2019. He had one son, Bear, with Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Cole.