Kate Cassidy has faced online trolling as she attempts to move forward following the death of former One Direction star Liam Payne. The 27-year-old American influencer was dating Payne when he died aged 31 in October 2024.
Cassidy posed beside a luxury pool in Costa Rica, wearing a black bikini, but notably avoided smiling in the photographs. The lack of a smile has raised concerns among some of her followers and those close to her.
An insider told The Sun: 'Her friends are really worried about it because she’s not herself. She seemed to be doing better after Liam’s death, but recently things have started to spiral again. The worst thing about it all is the comments she gets – it’s really upsetting for her to have people commenting on how much she’s lost.'
The source added that Cassidy is taking photos as a necessity for her influencer career, 'even if she’s not smiling on the inside or the outside'. She is currently travelling with friend Derek Snook, who has been supporting her through her grief.
Despite her loss, Cassidy has expressed readiness to move on and hinted at dating again, but remains open about her enduring love for Payne. She stated: 'I will always love Liam and that will never change... I am going to think about Liam on my wedding day.'
