Liam Payne and his fans grew up together. A look back at his life in the spotlight

Many One Direction fans are struggling to understand the death of the former group’s member, Liam Payne.

Many One Direction fans are struggling to understand the death of the former group’s member, Liam Payne. The 31-year-old singer died Wednesday after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, according to local police. Grief over an artist’s death can be a strange parasocial loss. They’re lives become part of ours through their work, the best of which lets us see ourselves reflected on screen, or in song, creating a sense of connection. Much of Payne’s fanbase grew up with him, magnifying the sense of loss over his sudden death. Video of what is believed to be Payne’s first television appearance was being shared widely on social media Thursday. The year was 2008, when the the- 14-year-old aspiring UK singer from Wolverhampton auditioned for “The X Factor,” a popular reality talent competition.