Kate Cassidy has found herself the target of online trolls as she attempts to move forward following the tragic death of Liam Payne. The American influencer was in a relationship with the former One Direction star when he died in a fall in October 2024 at the age of 31.
Bikini Photos Without a Smile
Cassidy, 27, shared a series of photos from a luxury pool in Costa Rica, wearing a black bikini. However, fans noticed she avoided smiling in the images, raising concerns about her emotional state. Sources close to the influencer have also expressed worry. 'Her friends are really concerned because she is not herself,' an insider revealed.
Friends Speak Out
Speaking to The Sun, the source elaborated: 'She seemed to be improving after Liam's death, but recently things have started to spiral again. The worst part is the comments she receives—it is very upsetting for her to have people constantly remarking on how much weight she has lost.' The insider added that her friends are angry that so-called fans keep bringing it up, noting that 'she knows she has lost weight, and it does not help.'
The source also admitted that Cassidy is taking the photos because she knows it is necessary for her career as an influencer, 'even if she is not smiling on the inside or the outside.' She is currently traveling with her friend Derek Snook, who has been by her side since Liam's death, trying to lift her spirits and help her through the grieving process.
Moving On While Remembering Liam
Although Cassidy has recently indicated she is ready to move on and hinted at dating again, she has always been open about her enduring love for Payne. 'I will always love Liam, and that will never change, no matter who I meet or who comes into my life,' she stated. 'I will think about Liam on my wedding day; I will think about him every day for the rest of my life.'
In a recent TikTok clip, she shared a video of a man carrying her, captioning it: 'I love having a crush' and teasing: 'When you know you know.' However, she also acknowledged that she wants to have children and a family, and that Liam would want that for her. 'If the roles were reversed, I would want him to be happy and fall in love again,' she said.
Cassidy previously described Payne as 'f***ing hot, funny, kind, and generous,' admitting that she compares everyone to him. 'I compare literally everyone to my late partner. For anybody new here, I lost my partner a year and a half ago, and he hit every single box on the checklist,' she wrote in a heartfelt message.
