Steven J. Horowitz Senior Music Writer Rita Ora fought back tears while performing a tribute to Liam Payne, who died yesterday after falling from a three-story balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Ora was on stage at Zepp Namba in Osaka, Japan just hours after news of Payne’s death emerged. During the performance, she was singing “For You,” her 2018 collaboration with Payne off the “Fifty Shades Freed” soundtrack, when she gave an emotional tribute to the late musician. “I can’t even sing this right now,” she told the audience, burying her face in her hands.
As an image of her and Payne appeared behind her, she walked towards the crowd, encouraging them to sing for her. Rita Ora displays a photo of her and Liam Payne while performing their collaboration ‘For You’ in Japan:“I can’t even sing this right now” pic.twitter.com/deyqmYTSdU Later, she posted a remembrance on social media, sharing how much she appreciated the One Direction member and remarking on the tragedy of his sudden passing. “I’m devastated.
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