Kate Cassidy has sparked outrage amongst Liam Payne’s family and friends after posting synthetic intelligence–generated pictures of herself with the late singer final month.
What she known as a heartfelt tribute has been described by these near the One Course star as “distasteful” and “triggering,” reopening wounds as the primary anniversary of his dying approaches.
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Kate Cassidy’s AI Tribute To Liam Payne Causes Backlash
Final month, Cassidy shared a collection of AI-generated pictures that confirmed her and Liam Payne smiling collectively as if he had been nonetheless alive.
In a single picture, the musician wore a taupe swimsuit and lovingly held Kate by the waist as she posed in a mushy pink costume.
Liam beamed his acquainted smile, displaying off his £30,000 Rolex watch.
At first look, it regarded like a reminiscence from happier instances. However the reality was extra haunting as the photographs had been digitally created utilizing AI expertise.
Cassidy posted them to her Instagram tales, writing, “Thanks for making these. AI is such a blessing and a curse.”
The posts disappeared after 24 hours, however the injury was carried out. What she noticed as a artistic remembrance struck others as insensitive.
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Pals Slam Cassidy For Her Insensitive Publish
For a lot of who had been near Liam Payne, the influencer’s determination to share these AI pictures was deeply upsetting.
One in every of Liam’s former colleagues questioned her motives, calling the transfer “distasteful” and “unhelpful” to these nonetheless mourning.
“Who does this?” the buddy requested the Daily Mail. “In fact she is absolutely entitled to recollect Liam, however this all feels a bit a lot. It’s absolutely triggering for individuals who beloved Liam. There may be some sympathy for Kate however creating a photograph of them collectively so quickly after his dying is totally unusual and likewise upsetting for thus many who beloved Liam.”
The identical buddy defined that Liam’s mother and father, Geoff and Karen Payne, have chosen to grieve privately.
They described the duo as regular individuals who had no real interest in the “fame sport.”
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“They noticed what fame did to him they usually don’t need any a part of it. They are going to grieve their son ceaselessly, privately,” the buddy added.
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Liam Payne’s Household Plans Quiet Remembrance As Kate Cassidy Faces Scrutiny
October 16 marks one 12 months since Liam’s tragic dying in Buenos Aires after falling from a third-floor balcony.
Based on insiders, Geoff, Karen, and daughters Ruth and Nicola, plan to mark the day privately.
Nonetheless, there may be “full expectation” amongst these near them that Cassidy will submit tributes on-line as soon as once more.
The 26-year-old was Liam’s final girlfriend. Their two-year relationship adopted a number of of his previous romances, together with with dancer Danielle Peazer, mannequin Sophia Smith, and singer Cheryl Tweedy.
Regardless of what they shared and the way touching her tributes have been since his passing, sources are satisfied Cassidy’s posts will overshadow the quiet dignity with which Liam’s household continues to grieve.
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Inside Cassidy’s Relationship With Liam
Liam Payne met Kate Cassidy in late 2022 after ending his engagement to mannequin Maya Henry.
The pair went public quickly after, attending glamorous occasions collectively and turning into regulars on the crimson carpet.
They even adopted a canine, Nala, and moved right into a luxurious dwelling in Miami in 2024.
Sadly, tragedy struck in October 2024 when Cassidy left Liam in Buenos Aires to return to Miami, saying she wanted to care for his or her rescue canine.
Days later, the “Evening Modifications” singer tragically fell to his dying after taking a cocktail of medicine on the CasaSur Palermo Lodge.
“Kate has defined why she went dwelling,” a buddy shared. “However for Liam’s nearest and dearest, it’s nonetheless exhausting to get their head round. She wasn’t to know what would occur after she left, but when she had stayed, perhaps, simply perhaps Liam can be right here right now.”
5 individuals in Argentina had been later charged in connection together with his dying.
Three of them, the lodge supervisor, receptionist, and Liam’s buddy, have since had their costs dropped.
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Pals Say Liam Payne’s Reminiscence Deserves Respect
Those that knew Liam consider the singer’s reminiscence ought to be honored with care, not controversy.
“It will be a really unhappy day,” one affiliate stated. “His dying is completely tragic and within the eyes of his household was one that might have been prevented. There are such a lot of ‘what ifs’ about his passing and that may be a tough factor for all of those that beloved Liam to get their head round.”
Whereas Kate Cassidy continues to share her grief on-line, posting previous pictures and messages from Liam, buddies consider her actions usually cross emotional boundaries.
“No one has an issue with Kate being upset at Liam dying, however each time she shares an image or video of him it helps her model, will get her new followers,” one insider famous.
Total, they consider the anniversary of Liam’s demise ought to be “a day to respectfully bear in mind him” and never a day for a social media spectacle.
