One Direction

Liam Payne had a major TV project in the works before his sudden death last week ... and now the series' fate is unclear, TMZ has learned.

Sources tell TMZ ... producers for "Building the Band" -- a singing competition series set to debut on Netflix -- were "shocked and saddened" to learn of the One Direction alum's unexpected death.

Liam -- along with AJ McLean, Nicole Scherzinger and Kelly Rowland -- had already wrapped filming the show ... though, the show's premiere date was never announced.

One small item found in Liam Payne's hotel room is getting a lot of attention from cops investigating his death, because it might unlock the mystery of who helped him score drugs ... TMZ has learned.

Law enforcement sources in Buenos Aires tell us ... authorities are now investigating the possibility a hotel employee delivered drugs to Liam, which has them focusing on a Dove soap box found in the room, and seen very clearly in a photograph taken after Liam's deadly fall.

The box was on the same table where cops also found drugs and paraphernalia -- tinfoil used to ingest drugs, as well as white powder.

Police in Argentina are moving full steam ahead in the Liam Payne death investigation ... raiding the hotel where the former One Direction singer plunged to his death.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... cops in Buenos Aires showed up at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel Wednesday night to review electronic and paper records following the October 16 tragedy in which Liam fell from the third-floor balcony of his room into a courtyard.

Our sources say Liam's initial autopsy results revealed he had "pink cocaine" in his system, a dangerous cocktail of various drugs such as meth, ecstasy and ketamine, as well as other narcotics.

Liam Payne’s heartbroken girlfriend, Kate Cassidy, shared an emotional tribute to the late star, revealing she and the “love of her life” were planning to tie the knot next year.

Kate dropped a carousel of pics of her and Liam on IG Wednesday, along with a heartfelt message saying just weeks earlier he had given her a note he told her not to open at the time -- declaring he hoped to marry her within a year.

Kate wrote, "Liam, I know we'll be together forever, but not in the way we planned. You'll always be with me. I've gained a guardian angel."

Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy is stepping back into the public eye after the tragic death of her pop star boyfriend.

The late singer's love has been spotted for the first time since the One Direction alum fell to his death in Buenos Aires, Argentina last week ... and the influencer appears to be keeping a low profile in the wake of the tragedy.

Kate, who had been dating Liam for about 2 years before his death, was seen out and about in Florida Sunday, where she ran an errand to grab some dog food not far from her Palm Beach abode.

Zayn Malik's still reeling from Liam Payne's death ... announcing moments ago he's postponing his "Stairway to the Sky" tour after the "heartbreaking loss" this week.

The singer-songwriter posted a short message to his Instagram story ... telling fans he needs to push off the U.S. leg of his tour -- and, he's rescheduling for January.

ZM says he plans to post the updated dates in the coming days ... and, he's thanking fans for their compassion and understanding during this time.

Liam Payne stayed in one other hotel before checking into the one where he died, and did party pretty hard while there -- but, despite reports, it wasn't enough to get him kicked out of the fancy spot.

Liam and his girlfriend Kate Cassidy were staying at the Palacio Duhau Park Hyatt in Buenos Aires during the week prior to his death, and a staffer there tells TMZ ... the couple was definitely in celebratory vacay mode.

We're told Liam did get "pretty drunk" on some nights, but he was never belligerent. In fact, he was, at least, trying to be entertaining ... as he would sometimes sing in the lobby.

Shawn Mendes was so overcome with emotion over the death of Liam Payne ... the singer paused his NYC concert Friday night to pay tribute to his pal.

Shawn was performing at the Brooklyn Paramount Theatre when he took a moment to tell the crowd that the One Direction star was a "beautiful soul" ... and the shocking news of his death was "devastating."

SM emotionally lamented ... “Liam, we love you. The world is crying for you, brother. And we’re all praying for your son and your family, and I miss you, man. So this one’s for you tonight, Liam, from all of us.”

Liam Payne's sister has broken her silence after the tragic death of the One Direction star ... and her message is absolutely devastating.

Ruth Gibbins posted a lengthy statement to her Instagram page along with several sweet photos of the siblings -- all to express how much she loved her brother and her unbearable pain, which included, "I'm sorry I couldn't save you."

She began with, "I don't believe this is happening. Many times have I poured my heart out publicly with pride about Liam but never much about life as his sister ... Liam is my best friend."

7:40 PM PT -- Although police say Liam's behavior sounds consistent with that of "cristal" users, they still don't know if that drug was present in the room. We're told they're still waiting for test results on the narcotics and medications they recovered.

Liam Payne was potentially under the influence of a potent drug, known to cause psychotic attacks and hallucinations, when he died ... according to police in Argentina.

Cops in Buenos Aires tell TMZ ... their operating theory is Liam was high on a substance called "cristal," which police say causes users to experience extreme highs and extreme lows, often making them aggressive.

Photos from inside Liam's hotel room show the place trashed ... his TV was smashed and there was drug paraphernalia in the room, which was littered with broken objects.

Liam Payne's father is sharing his grief with his son's fans in Argentina ... standing with them in an incredibly poignant moment right outside the hotel where Liam died.

The heartbreaking scene played out Friday evening in Buenos Aires ... Geoff Payne solemnly walked around the makeshift memorial fans have created on the sidewalk in front of the CasaSur Palermo hotel.

As Liam's dad looked at all the flowers, letters and candles ... fans observed a moment of silence in honor of the singer.

Liam Payne was seemingly in a good place with his sobriety months before his tragic death in Buenos Aires ... TMZ has learned.

Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the One Direction alum was very vocal about being sober in the late spring/early summer of 2024 ... telling people in his inner circle working with him that he was on the wagon.

We're told those around him saw no warning signs of either drug or alcohol abuse at the time.

Cheryl Cole is heartbroken in the aftermath of ex Liam Payne's death ... calling the tragic update an "indescribably painful time" for herself and their son, Bear.

The British singer posted on Instagram Friday, 2 days after the One Direction alum fatally fell from a balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina ... confessing she is grappling with her grief after "this earth shattering event."

She called on fans to be respectful in the wake of Liam ... reminding her followers that the late pop star was more than a celebrity.

Liam Payne's girlfriend Kate Cassidy is speaking out for the first time following the death of the One Direction alum ... thanking fans for their support during this trying time.

The influencer posted on her Instagram Stories 2 days after the singer fell to his death from the balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In her statement, Kate said she's "been at a complete loss" amid the tragedy, confessing the last several days have not "felt real."

She continued ... "I ask and pray that you'll give me the grace and space to navigate this in private."

Simon Cowell is speaking out for the first time since former protégé Liam Payne died ... issuing a poignant statement on social media.

"The X Factor" creator posted on Instagram, revealing he is "truly devastated" following the news about the singer -- who Simon tapped to join One Direction back in 2010.

Simon wrote to Liam directly in his statement, expressing ... "Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you."

Liam Payne's heartbroken dad made his first public appearance since his son's tragic death, after making the trip from the UK to Argentina.

Geoff Payne was spotted leaving his hotel Friday morning, on his way to the Buenos Aires Judicial Office.

Geoff, wearing a navy suit, had a crowd of people around him ... no doubt there to support him during this tough time.