Kate Cassidy, the heartbroken girlfriend of late One Direction star Liam Payne, has broken her silence about the relentless online abuse she endured following his tragic passing in October last year. The 25-year-old influencer revealed that she was forced to delete her social media due to an overwhelming wave of death threats and crude comments from some One Direction fans.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Kate addressed rumors accusing her of abandoning Liam before his death, firmly denying the claims. She explained that she had left Argentina early to return to their Florida home and care for their rescue dog, Nala, unaware of the devastating events that would soon unfold.
Despite being branded a 'gold digger' and facing constant online harassment, Kate credited Liam for teaching her resilience in the face of public scrutiny. "Liam would want me to be as strong as I can be and just have a thick skin," she shared. "He always told me, 'Dont let any hate get to you.'"
Liam Payne tragically passed away on October 16 after falling from a third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Reports later revealed that his hotel room contained drug paraphernalia and an opened champagne bottle. Five individuals, including the hotel manager and a friend of the singer, have since been charged in connection with his death.
Kate attended Liam's funeral at St Mary's Church in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, alongside his family, friends, and former One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik. However, even on this somber occasion, she faced criticism for her appearance, with some attacking her choice of outfit and makeup. Defending herself, she said, "I wanted to just look beautiful for my boyfriend one last time. The service was beautiful."
Kate, who met Liam in 2022, described him as the love of her life and her best friend. She dismissed claims that she was with the singer for fame and money, emphasizing the sincerity of their relationship. She also revealed that Liam had always been proud of his One Direction bandmates and hoped for a reunion in the future.
Now residing in New Jersey after leaving their shared Florida home, Kate continues to grieve and seek therapy to cope with her loss. She admitted that she still struggles to listen to Liam's music, saying, "Maybe one day, but not right now."
As the investigation into Liam's untimely death continues, Kate remains focused on preserving his memory while standing strong against the online hate. "I understand that some of the negative comments come from a place of love and concern for Liam," she said. "But at the end of the day, our relationship was nobody's business except for me and Liam."
Source: Daily Mail
