Kate Cassidy, the girlfriend of the late Liam Payne, has revealed the relentless online abuse she has faced from some One Direction fans in the wake of the singer’s untimely passing.
The 25-year-old influencer opened up about receiving death threats and crude remarks
even about her attire at his funeral—forcing her to delete her social media accounts.
A Target of Online Hate
Cassidy shared with The Sun that the verbal attacks have ranged from accusations of being a “gold digger” to vicious blame for Liam’s death.
Despite the cruelty, she remains resilient, crediting Liam for teaching her to develop a thick skin 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 said. “That’s one thing he always taught me. He grew up in this life, and he was always so positive about it. He would say, ‘Don’t let any hate get to you.’”
Cassidy’s remarks highlight the darker side of fandom, where intense devotion to celebrities can sometimes manifest as online aggression toward those close to them.
Liam Payne’s Tragic Passing
The former One Direction star, 31, tragically passed away in October last year after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina. At the time, Payne was on holiday to support his former bandmate, Niall Horan, during a performance.
Cassidy, who had traveled to Argentina with Liam, had left early to return to their Florida home, where she was caring for their rescue dog, Nala. Following his passing, she faced hurtful accusations from some fans who suggested that she had abandoned him before his death—claims she strongly denies.
“I understand that some of the more negative comments come from a place of loving Liam, of caring for him,” Cassidy said. “I get that because I loved Liam too. But it’s still really hard because, obviously, any criticism will get to you.”
A Heartbreaking Tribute
One week after his passing, Cassidy broke her silence by posting a touching online tribute to Payne, describing him as “my best friend, the love of my life.”
She later revealed that before his death, Liam had written a note expressing his desire to marry her within a year. Reflecting on their relationship, she said she had loved him since she was 10 years old and believed they were always destined to meet.
“I knew we were soulmates from the first time we met,” Cassidy shared, recalling their first encounter in 2022 when she was working as a waitress in South Carolina.
Despite the heart-wrenching grief, Cassidy insists that Payne was one of the most humble and charming people she had ever met and rejects any suggestion that she played a role in his death.
Moving Forward Amid Grief
Following Payne’s passing, Cassidy left the multi-million-dollar Florida mansion they had shared and moved back to her home state of New Jersey. A report suggests she has been receiving a living allowance of approximately £20,000 ($25,000) per month to help her adjust in the aftermath of his passing.
Before meeting Liam, Cassidy had plans to pursue college but instead transitioned into a full-time influencer career, a decision Payne fully supported. With over 2.5 million followers, she continues to navigate the difficult process of grieving in the public eye.
The Dark Side of Super-Fandom
Cassidy’s experience sheds light on the darker side of celebrity culture, where intense fan devotion can sometimes spiral into harassment and abuse. Though some One Direction fans have expressed genuine sorrow and support, others have fueled a narrative of blame—a situation that has forced Cassidy to retreat from the online world for her own mental well-being.
As she continues to mourn the loss of the man she loved, Cassidy remains committed to honoring Payne’s legacy while protecting herself from the toxic side of fame.
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