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.

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.