In her first sit-down interview since the heartbreaking death of her boyfriend, Liam Payne, Kate Cassidy has opened up about the grief, the shock,

and the emotional toll that followed the tragic passing of the former One Direction member.

Payne, 31, died in October 2024 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The influencer, 25, spoke candidly to *The Sun* about the ongoing pain she feels since his passing, sharing her raw emotions and remembering the deep bond they shared.

“I still can’t fully accept that he’s not here,” Cassidy said, her voice tinged with sorrow.

“It doesn’t feel real. I’m trying my best to stay strong, but my life has changed so much. I think about Liam every single day, every second.”

The couple had been together for two years before the tragedy struck. Cassidy revealed that Payne had planned to marry her, and she described their connection as nothing short of extraordinary. “From the moment I met Liam, I genuinely believed we were soulmates,” she shared. “He was the most humble, charming, normal person you could ever hope to meet. Honestly, he was one of the best people I’ve ever encountered in my life.”

Describing Liam’s death as a “tragic accident,” Cassidy reflected on how it has profoundly altered her life. The two were in Buenos Aires together for a vacation in the weeks leading up to the incident. However, Cassidy had to leave the trip early to return to Florida to care for their dog. Although this wasn’t the first time they had traveled separately, she mentioned that Liam had struggled with her departure. “He didn’t want me to leave. He begged me to stay,” she revealed, with sadness in her voice.

At the time, Cassidy had no inkling that anything tragic would happen. “We had our dog, and I never thought for a second that something like this would occur,” she said. “Love is optimistic, and you just hope everything will work out. Obviously, if I had known, if I could have seen the future, I would never have left Argentina.”

The moment she learned of Liam’s death was one she’ll never forget. Cassidy explained that she was scrolling through TikTok when she received a call from one of Liam’s friends, breaking the devastating news. “I feel blessed that I didn’t find out on social media. I don’t think I could have handled it that way,” she admitted. “I was scrolling through TikTok at the time, and when the call came, I went completely blank. I didn’t believe it at first. I thought it was just some rumor, something made up for views.”

However, as the call continued, Cassidy’s gut instinct told her it was real. “Then, instantly, I just had this horrible feeling in my stomach. I thought, ‘Why would someone make this up? Could it really be true?’” She recalled that she “blacked out” in the moment, overwhelmed by disbelief and grief. “It took me a while to process it. And even now, I still find myself wanting to call him.”

Payne and Cassidy had enjoyed a quiet life together outside of the media frenzy, and they had formed a close-knit, loving partnership. Their bond was so strong that Cassidy believed, as she had mentioned before, that they were soulmates. The devastation she feels over his loss is palpable in every word she spoke during the interview.

As she continues to navigate life without Liam, Cassidy has chosen to keep his memory close to her heart. She fondly remembers their moments together and cherishes the deep connection they shared. The world may have lost an iconic figure in Liam Payne, but for Cassidy, she will always hold onto the love and memories that shaped her life during their time together.

It is clear from Cassidy’s reflections that her grief is an ongoing journey, one that she will carry with her for the rest of her life. In the wake of such a tragic loss, she remains grateful for the time they had and the love they shared, even as she continues to process the reality of Liam’s absence.