Liam Payne's family mourns One Direction star's death at 31: 'Heartbroken'

Liam Payne's family and his celebrity friends are reacting to the former One Direction member's death at 31.

The music world was left stunned Wednesday after Payne, who was one-fifth of the British boy band, was found dead after falling from his third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur hotel in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires.

In a statement Thursday, his family reacted to Payne's death, saying they are "heartbroken," according to BBC and PA Media.

"We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul," the statement read. "We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."

Payne rose to global fame as part of the since-disbanded pop band One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson. He was also father to a 7-year-old child, Bear, whom he shared with British singer Cheryl Cole.

Liam Payne, former One Direction member,dies at 31 after balcony fall in Argentina

Tributes poured in from members of One Direction's inner circle as well as Payne's "Strip That Down" collaborator Quavo, singer and producer Charlie Puth and more.

'Strip That Down' collaborator Quavo mourns loss of Payne

In 2017, Payne released his most popular solo single ever, "Strip That Down," with the assistance of rapper Quavo, who mourned the loss of the former boy band member on his Instagram story on Monday.

"Rest In Paradise," he wrote with a prayer hand emoji on his Instagram story alongside a screenshot of an ABC News article.

Harry Styles' mom, 1D's guitarist react: 'Just a boy'

Styles' mom, Anne Twist, took to Instagram to react to news of Payne's death. She screenshot a heartbreak emoji and captioned the image with, "Just a boy ... 💔."

Dan Richards, who played guitar for the band, expressed shock in his Instagram story.

"This all feels so surreal. Thanks to everyone reaching out, still trying to wrap my head around it all. My thoughts go out to (Liam's) family at this time," he wrote.

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Paris Hilton, Winnie Harlow, more stars react to Liam Payne's tragic death

Paris Hilton joined the memorials posted online following the news of the singer's death.

In a post on X, she wrote it was "so upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing😢" She continued: "Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. 🙏 RIP my friend."

Liam Payne,One Direction member, dead at 31 after balcony fall in Argentina

Winnie Harlow, the supermodel, called Payne a "kind angel" and said "I pray peace for your kind soul."

One Direction's former hairdresser Lou Teasdale also paid tribute, writing, "Sending you all so much love."

Zedd, who collaborated on Payne's "Get Low," mourned the British musician on X, writing: "RIP Liam… I can't believe this is real… absolutely heartbreaking."

Former British Vogue editor-in-chief Edward Enninful reacted to Payne's death, calling the singer "a true friend."

"One of the most loyal, sensitive, dynamic, funny and unique people I ever had the good fortune to meet," the creative director captioned a carousel of photos of him and Payne.

911 call made before Liam Payne'sdeath says he was 'breaking the whole room' before fall

'X Factor' network ITV mourns loss of Liam Payne

Payne first came to fame as a teen on "X Factor," the ITV music competition show where One Direction was formed. The series' television network, ITV, is now mourning his loss.

"Liam Payne's passing is a tragic loss to everyone who knew him personally, and to the global fanbase who took One Direction to their hearts," the British network wrote in a statement on Instagram. "Having worked closely with Liam on The X Factor and in more recent years on Soccer Aid, everyone at ITV sends their very deepest sympathies to Liam's family and friends at this immensely sad time."

Charlie Puth pays tribute to Liam Payne: 'I am in shock right now'

"I am in shock right now," Puth wrote on Instagram, recalling "Liam was always so kind to me."

"He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I can not believe he is gone...," he wrote. The 32-year-old singer-songwriter also shared a video of the two laughing together and wrote, "I'm so upset right now, may he rest in peace."

Payne auditioned twice for the U.K. reality program "The X-Factor" before being launched into superstardom. He advanced after auditioning in 2008 and 2010 and was cut both times.

However, in 2010, he was saved from elimination when Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh folded him into a band with fellow teen solo artists Styles, Horan, Tomlinson and Malik.

It's OK to grieve.Liam Payne's death is especially difficult for Gen Z and millennials.

After their first single "What Makes You Beautiful" became a worldwide hit, the group released their debut album "Up All Night." As they released four more records, they sold out arenas and stadiums around the world during the four headlining tours and scored Billboard Top 10 hits including "Story of My Life," "Best Song Ever" and "Drag Me Down."

The band took an indefinite hiatus in 2016 following the release of their fifth album, "Made in the A.M." All members, including Malik, who left the group in March 2015, went on to pursue solo careers.

More celebs react to Payne's death, including 'Fifty Shades' author E L James and Juicy J

Other celebrities expressing condolences on social media included Juicy J, Flavor Flav and several former "X-Factor" contestants, among others. See their posts below:

This story has been updated to include additional information and a video.

Contributing: KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY; Sarah Morland, Brendan O'Boyle and Anthony Esposito in Mexico City, Eliana Raszewski, Agustin Marcarian and Adam Jourdan in Buenos Aires and William James in London, Reuters

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.