Malik was set to kick off the U.S. leg of his tour next week, starting with a concert in San Francisco. However, the shocking news led him to postpone the dates. In a heartfelt message on social media, he expressed that he felt he had "lost a brother," prompting the change in plans.
The U.S. leg of Malik’s tour included stops in major cities like Las Vegas, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and New York. He assured fans that tickets already purchased would still be valid for the rescheduled dates.
Earlier this week, Malik shared a tribute to Payne, reminiscing about their close bond during their time in One Direction. He expressed his deep sorrow, stating, "I lost a brother when you left us. I can't explain what I would give to just hug you one last time and say goodbye properly."
Both Malik and Payne gained worldwide fame as part of One Direction, which was formed on The X Factor in 2010 alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan. Zayn left the group in 2015 to pursue a solo career, and the band ultimately disbanded in 2016.
Payne is survived by his family, including his parents, sisters, and his seven-year-old son, Bear, whom he shared with singer Cheryl.