Shawn Mendes stops live concert for paying tribute to Liam Payne, calls him 'beautiful soul'

BROOKLYN, NEW YORK: Shawn Mendes paused his live show at Brooklyn's Paramount Theater to honor Liam Payne whose untimely death shocked the music world.

The popstar, interrupted his performance to pay tribute to Payne who died at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires.

Shawn Mendes' emotional tribute to Liam Payne

Mendes described the death of Liam Payne as "completely devastating," sharing his heartfelt reflections with the audience.

The 26-year-old singer took a moment to recall his brief encounters with Payne, describing him as a "beautiful soul" whose eyes "gleamed."

Speaking into the microphone with a guitar slung around his body, Mendes told the crowd, "I got to meet Liam a couple of times, and he was a beautiful soul. It’s about grieving those we miss with tears, and it’s also about celebrating them and who they were."

“Liam, we love you. The world is crying for you, brother, and we’re all praying for your son and your family. I miss you. This one’s for you tonight, Liam, from all of us,” he continued.

Shawn Mendes' dedication with 'Heart of Gold'

Following his emotional tribute, Shawn Mendes dedicated his performance of the unreleased track Heart of Gold to Liam Payne.

The chorus echoed with poignant lyrics, "You had a heart of gold/You left too soon, it was out of your control/Underneath your skin and bone/You had a heart of gold," according to TMZ.

The heartfelt performance at the concert left many in the audience visibly moved as they joined Mendes in honoring the former One Direction member's memory.

Liam Payne's tragic death

Liam Payne died on Wednesday evening, October 16, after tragically falling from the third floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires.

Emergency responders confirmed his death at the scene at the hotel and an investigation is now underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the fall.

He had been in the Argentine capital to support his former bandmate, Niall Horan, who was on tour.

Following the news of his death, Payne’s family released a statement, stating, "We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts, and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny, and brave soul."

"We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time," they added.

Payne leaves behind a seven-year-old son, Bear, whom he shared with his ex-partner, singer Cheryl Cole.