Which song did Rita Ora and Liam Payne sing together? Singer breaks down on stage during tribute to One Direction star
After Liam Payne's unexpected death, singer Rita Ora was moved to tears as she paid a heartfelt homage to him on stage. Ora, a friend and fellow singer, performed live in Osaka, Japan, on October 17, only 12 hours after Payne's demise.
During her performance, at one point, she found it difficult to finish the song, For You, which she and Payne released in 2018 as the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack. While doing so, the singer posted a photo of herself on stage alongside the former One Direction member.
Liam Payne, aged 31, reportedly fell from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, on Wednesday, October 16. He was declared dead on the spot by the medical professionals.
Rita Ora and Liam Payne were friends who collaborated on one song
British vocalists Liam Payne and Rita Ora recorded the song For You as the soundtrack of the 2018 movie Fifty Shades Freed. Universal Studios and Republic Records released it as the film's lead single on January 5, 2018. Its music video was made public on January 26, 2018.
Additionally, the song appeared on Payne's first studio album, LP1 (2019), and Ora's second studio album, Phoenix (2018). As per Billboard, For You peaked at number seventy- six on February 24, 2018, in Billboard's Hot 100 list.
The hashtag "#FiftyShadesFreed" was used in a promotional photo of the two musicians standing together, that was shared on social media on December 21, 2017. The two shared the song's first teaser on YouTube the next day. The second teaser, a video showcasing the recording session, was posted on January 3, 2018, along with the song's release date.
Meanwhile, during her Osaka concert, Ora, 33, was seen burying her head in her hands as she turned away from the crowd and gazed up at the sky. She then said:
"I can't even sing this right now."
As per The Mirror's October 17 article, Rita Ora and Liam Payne were good friends. In 2021, Liam and his ex-fiance Maya Henry even moved into Rita's £3.25 million London penthouse.
Just before her performance, Ora took to X, and shared a monochromatic photo of her with Payne, and wrote:
"I'm devastated. He had the kindest soul I will never forget. I loved working with him so much - he was just such a joy to be around on and off stage. This tragic news breaks my heart. Sending all my love and prayers to his family and loved ones. Our song For You takes on a whole new meaning for me now. R.I.P."
Ora's performance came after Liam reportedly fell to his death. As per The Mirror's October 17 report, the emergency services received a distress call from the hotel, where Liam was staying. The hotel receptionist reported a guest who was "overwhelmed with drugs and alcohol."
Remembering that Liam's room had a balcony, the hotel receptionist informed the emergency dispatcher that they were worried that he might harm himself. Shortly after the call, the employees heard a loud sound from the hotel courtyard. Soon the singer was discovered dead.
