Zayn Malik performs at the iHeartRadio Theater in New York City on March 25, 2016. Photo courtesy iHeartRadio.

Former One Direction member Zayn Malik was set to kick off a tour in San Francisco next week but has postponed the entire trek following the death of his former groupmate Liam Payne.

He announced the postponement via social media on Saturday, Oct. 19.

“Given the heartbreaking loss experienced this week, I’ve made the decision to postpone the US leg of the STAIRWAY TO THE SKY Tour,” Malik wrote. “The dates are being rescheduled for January and I’ll post them as soon as it’s all set in the next few days. … Love you all and thank you for your understanding.”

Payne, 31, died on Oct. 16 after reportedly jumping from a third-story balcony at a hotel room in Argentina, where he was staying. An investigation into his death was ongoing. Local authorities shared photos of a destroyed hotel room littered with drugs.

Payne and Malik were two-fifths of hit boy band One Direction, which also included Niall Horan, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson. A day after Payne’s death, Malik posted a heartfelt tribute to his friend online.

“Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so many more conversations for us to have in our lives,” he wrote. “I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my 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. Even though you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no fucks about telling people when they were wrong.

“Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, & I always secretly respected you for it. When it came to the music Liam, you were the most qualified in every sense. I knew nothing in comparison, I was a novice child with no experience and you were already a professional. I was always happy to know, no matter what happened on stage we could always rely on you to know which way to steer the ship next. 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. I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever, there is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are.”

Love You Bro ❤️ pic.twitter.com/shRQDW27bB

— zayn (@zaynmalik) October 17, 2024

Zayn’s tour opener at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium was sold out. Concert promoter Another Planet Entertainment is asking ticket holders to wait for the rescheduled date to be announced. Refunds are expected to be offered at the point of purchase. The tour is in support of his latest solo album, May’s Room Under the Stairs.