Louis Tomlinson Says He's 'Immensely Proud' of One Direction Days and Knows Liam Payne Is Too

Mar. 15, 2025

Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne.Photo: Mike Marsland/WireImage

Louis Tomlinsonis clearing the air on any bad blood between him and his formerOne Directionbandmates.

The “Walls” singer, 30, shot down any implied “beef” between the British singers in an interview on the Australian talk showThe ProjectWednesday, and said that he’s certain his ex-bandmateLiam Payneis just as proud as he is of their time in the boy band.

Tomlinson jokingly accused host Peter Helliar of “fishing” after Helliar asked about a recent “bit of 1D beef” that stemmed from arevealing interview Payne didin June that criticizedZayn Malik.

“Oh, so the fishing’s begun already. Yeah, I see what you’re doing,” Tomlinson said. “No listen, I’m immensely proud, as I know Liam is. I’m immensely proud of those days, obviously. I mean, it was an incredible thing to do and especially at such a young age. Amazing memories, man, amazing.”

He also explained that he’s “more than happy” to talk about his One Direction days in every interview he does, as it remains a source of pride.

“It’s just when you mentioned the beef before it sounded like you were getting ready to stir some s— up, that’s all I’m saying,” he explained.

Payne, 28, made headlines in June thanks to an interview on Logan Paul’sImpaulsivepodcast, during which he spoke in-depth about his days in 1D and histumultuous relationship with Malik, 29.

“There’s many reasons why I dislike Zayn and there’s many reasons why I’ll always, always be on his side,” he said. “If I had had to go through what he went through — with his growth and whatever else… My parents are overly supportive to the point where it’s annoying at times. Zayn had a different upbringing in that sense.”

He added, “I can’t sit here and d— on him because of whatever. And listen, I don’t agree with any of his actions. I can’t commend some of the things that he’s done. I can’t be on his side for that. What I can say is I understand and your only hope is that at some point in their life, the person at the other end of the phone wants to receive the help that you’re willing to give them.”

One Direction in 2013.Kevin Mazur/WireImage

“He kind of started with my face and worked out around the rest,” Payne said.

Payne, Tomlinson and Malik, along with Harry Styles, 28, and Niall Horan, 28, released their debut album as One Direction in 2011. Malik left the group in 2015, and after releasing the albumMade in the A.M.as a foursome, the rest of the band announced an extended hiatus in 2015.

All five members have gone on to pursue solo careers.

source: people.com