“He was one of the first major artists I got to work with,” Puth wrote, referring to Payne’s 2017 single “Bedroom Floor.” He added, “I can not believe he is gone.”
Before launching his solo career, Payne got his start on The X Factor in 2010 when he was grouped with the four other teens to form One Direction (though Payne’s dad Geoff Payne had suggested the name Unique Selling Point).
The British boy band went on to record the smash hits including “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Best Song Ever,” “Night Changes” and “Live While We’re Young,” selling 50 million records in total.
