Rita Ora Says She’s ‘Devastated’ by Collaborator Liam Payne’s Death: ‘He Was Just Such a Joy to Be Around’

Rita Ora is looking back on her time with Liam Payne.

Following the former One Direction member’s death at age 31 on Oct. 16, Ora — who previously worked with Payne on the 2018 song “For You” from Fifty Shades Freed — took to social media with a heartfelt post about their time together.

“I’m devastated,” wrote Ora, 33, alongside photos of herself and Payne in the studio and promoting their collaboration. “He had the kindest soul, I will never forget.”

The “Ask and You Shall Receive” singer added, “I loved working with him so much – he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage. This tragic news breaks my heart.”

“Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones. Our song For You takes on a whole new meaning for me now,” continued Ora’s tribute. “R.I.P.”

Released alongside the third Fifty Shades film in 2018,
“For You” became a massive hit for both Ora and Payne, charting at No. 8 in their native U.K. as well as No. 76 in the U.S. The song also appeared on both Ora and Payne’s respective albums, Phoenix and LP1.

Payne was pronounced dead on Oct. 16 after falling multiple stories at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Policía Federal Argentina confirmed to PEOPLE.

An investigation is currently underway to determine the circumstances surrounding Payne’s death, local police told PEOPLE, and an autopsy will be conducted.

In a statement translated from Spanish, Alberto Crescenti (the head of SAME, Buenos Aires’ public emergency medical services system) told TN that Payne fell into the hotel’s internal courtyard.

A SAME team arrived at the hotel and verified the death of the man, later identified as Payne, around 5:11 p.m. local time, Crescenti said, noting the musician’s injuries were so severe there “was no possibility of resuscitation.”

Payne is survived by his 7-year-old son Bear Grey, with his ex, Girls Aloud singer Cheryl.

After the “Strip That Down” singer’s death, his “Get Low” collaborator Zedd took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “RIP Liam… I can’t believe this is real…
absolutely heartbreaking ..”