One Direction fans gather at High Park for Liam Payne’s memorial

A memorial for Liam Payne was held in the Hillside Gardens at High Park earlier this month.

Hundreds of fans across the GTA joined together to mourn the unexpected passing of the beloved singer.

Liam Payne was a part of the boy band One Direction for 10 years before embarking on a solo career. 

The shocking news came on Oct. 16 after Payne fell from the third story of a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. 

Humber alumni Andrene Pham says she organized the event so fans could say a proper goodbye to Payne. 

“Liam just meant so much to me, you know,” says Pham.

“I was feeling so alone at that time and I just wanted to meet other people feeling the same way so we could support each other and be there for one another.”

Pham says people spent hours gathered at High Park remembering Payne.

“At first we had a long period of quiet time just listening to songs by Liam,” says Pham.

“Then all the sudden we just began singing and dancing together and it just felt like that is how Liam would want us to celebrate his life.”

Pham says fans left cards, flowers, written notes, and bracelets near a tree dedicated to Payne.

“One fan even showed up with a Harry Potter teddy bear wearing glasses and holding a fork,” says Pham.

“Among everything there, I just thought the bear was something so sincere and just showed how much that person cared about Liam remembering little details about him from ages ago.”

Nadia Linares, a longtime One Direction fan, says she was in shock when she heard about Payne’s death.

“I remember just staring at my phone and it just did not feel real,” says Linares.

“I was devastated because Liam was such a huge part of my life.”

Linares says that the memorial made her realize how many people were feeling the loss the way she was.

“There are so many people who think it is weird for fans to grieve over someone they haven’t met, ” says Linares. 

“Seeing everyone at the memorial was so special because it let me know I was not alone and there are people who understand what I am feeling.”

Payne leaves behind his mom, dad, two sisters, and 7-year-old son Bear.