Zayn Malik honors Liam Payne while performing in his hometown: 'Hope you're seeing this'

Zayn Malik honored his late friend, Liam Payne, in his birthplace of Wolverhampton, England.

As part of his Stairway to the Sky tour, the artist visited the English city and spoke with the crowd about Payne, who died on October 16 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Zayn Malik.

Getty Images for ABA

"So, at the end of each event, I've been doing something special for my brother Liam Payne. Rest in peace. I hope you're seeing this in your hometown tonight, Wolverhampton; this is for you, Liam," Malik stated in a fan video from the event on Friday, before playing "it's YoU."

The Room Under the Stairs artist already honored Payne in his Leeds show earlier this week, displaying the words "Liam Payne, 1993-2024." "I love you bro," he said on stage, holding a heart.

Prior to the gigs in England, Malik had postponed the U.S. portion of the tour due to the death of a friend and former One Direction member.

"Given the heartbreaking loss I experienced this week, I've made the decision to postpone the US leg of the STAIRWAY TO THE SKY Tour," he posted on his Instagram Story three days after Payne died. "The dates are being rearranged for January, and I will announce them as soon as they are finalized in the next few days. Your tickets will be good for the new dates; we love you all and appreciate your understanding."

He also paid homage to the artist in a lengthy essay published the day following his death, saying that they could have had so many more chats together and that he never got to thank him for his support during "some of the most difficult times" in his life.

"When I was missing home as a 17 yr old kid you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were my friend and that I was loved," he wrote. "Even though you were younger than me, you were always more smart than me; you were stubborn, opinionated, and didn't mind telling others they were wrong. Even though we had a few disagreements about this, I secretly admired you for it."

He lauded his vocal abilities and shared that he believed he was the "most qualified" of the lads in One Direction, adding that he "knew nothing" in contrast.

"I lost a brother when you left us and can't explain to you what I'd give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly," Malik concluded. "I will have all of my memories with you in my heart forever; there are no words to express or explain how I feel right now, other than crushed. I hope that wherever you are right now, you are happy and at peace, and you know how much you are loved. "Love you, bro."