Rita Ora has shared that she still feels Liam Payne‘s presence nine months after his death, as she described him as a ‘great friend’.
The How We Do singer, 34, spoke candidly about the One Direction star in an interview on Elvis Duran and the Morning Show.
Rita admitted she does still think about him from time to time, which keeps the memory alive, after he passed away in Argentina towards the end of last year.
She is currently in New York after headlining an exclusive concert on Friday to mark the start of Wimbledon‘s weekend-long US takeover for the fourth year running.
The star has been getting around the Big Apple on the subway, pictured making her way to Brooklyn over the weekend.
During her time in the states, she appeared on the radio show, where she was asked if she will watch an upcoming reality series that features the late singer.
Rita Ora, 34, has shared that she feels Liam Payne ‘s presence nine months after he tragically died as she described him as a ‘great friend’ (pictured in 2019)
The singer tragically passed away in Argentina towards the end of last year (pictured) and his friend Rita says she still thinks about him from time to time
Host Elvis asked whether she will watch Building the Band, a new show and Liam’s final project – which wrapped filming shortly before he passed away.
The first four episodes aired on Netflix earlier this week, with three more episodes due to drop on July 16.
Rita responded: ‘I 100% will watch it. That’s a really great friend of mine. I still sort of feel him anyway, so it’s fine.’
She continued: ‘I have the last song that I think we did together as a duo and I sing it all the time. And it just feels like he’s just right there. And we always do a cute little moment of a photo of him and it feels fantastic to just feel like he’s still around through music.
‘That’s why music is so powerful. It really does bring back a person, a memory, a feeling.
‘So yeah, I have this incredible memory with him, with For You, our song together, and I’ll always have that.’
Liam died aged 31 on October 16, 2024, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and was found to have alcohol and cocaine in his system.
Just a month after Liam’s death, Rita hosted the MTV EMAs and paid a special tribute to her friend.
Rita previously paid tribute to Liam at the EMAs, weeks after his death (pictured in 2018)
Rita is currently in New York, after headlining an exclusive concert on Friday to mark the start of Wimbledon’s weekend-long US takeover for the fourth year running (pictured Saturday)
Host Elvis asked whether she will watch Building the Band, a new show and Liam’s final project – which wrapped filming shortly before he passed away
Pop powerhouse Rita brought the energy to The Hill in New York on Friday night, headlining an exclusive concert
Bringing a slice of Britishness stateside to the iconic Brooklyn Bridge Park, she opened in style with an unforgettable performance
Rita showcased her toned midriff in a skimpy white top as she travelled on the subway while exploring Brooklyn earlier this week
In fun snaps she shared on Instagram, Rita playfully rummaged through her designer bag for some hand wipes, admitting in the comments she was reluctant to hold onto the subway’s pole
Fighting back tears, she emotionally said to the cameras: ‘I just want to take a moment to remember someone that was very, very dear to us.
‘We lost him recently, and he was a big part of the MTV world and my world, and I think a lot of yours at home and everybody in here tonight. Liam Payne was one of the kindest people that I knew.
‘And, you know, there were so many ways that we were talking about honouring him, and I think sometimes just simply speaking is enough.’
Rita showcased her toned midriff in a skimpy white top as she travelled on the subway while exploring Brooklyn earlier this week.
In fun snaps she shared on Instagram, while traveling around Brooklyn, Rita playfully rummaged through her designer bag for some hand wipes, admitting in the comments she was reluctant to hold onto the subway’s pole.
