Simon Cowell is remembering his former mentee, Liam Payne.

The music industry mogul, known for creating “X-Factor” and for his role with One Direction, described the late singer as “kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, and focused,” noting his deep love for his fans.

“Liam, I am completely devastated. Heartbroken. I feel empty,” Cowell expressed on Instagram on Friday. “I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Each tear I have shed is a memory of you.”

Payne tragically passed away after falling from his third-floor balcony at the Casa Sur hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was 31.

Payne’s journey began on the U.K. reality TV show where he auditioned twice before achieving fame. Despite being cut during his auditions in 2008 and 2010, he returned for a third try.

“When you were 14, I had to tell you that it wasn’t your moment,” Cowell reminisced. “We made a promise to each other that we would meet again. Many would have given up, but you persevered and soon the world knew who Liam was.”

In 2010, Cowell and other judges Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh chose to incorporate Payne into a band alongside other young solo performers: Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson.

The group, known as One Direction, eventually signed with Cowell’s label and sold over 70 million records worldwide. They took a hiatus in 2016 after the release of their fifth album, “Made in the A.M.”

Cowell reflected on a meeting with Payne last year, during which he met the singer’s 7-year-old son, Bear, saying, “He will be so proud of everything you have accomplished and how you got there.”

The former band members of “For You” have all issued statements regarding Payne’s passing. Cowell noted that their tributes affirmed his belief that the band members shared a brother-like bond.

“Liam, I see now the impact you had on so many lives,” he remarked. “You left us far too soon.”

According to Buenos Aires police, Payne sustained “extremely serious injuries” from the fall and was declared dead at the scene, as reported by The Associated Press.

On Thursday, Argentina’s National Criminal and Correctional Prosecutor’s Office No. 16 released a statement confirming that the One Direction singer died from “polytrauma” and “internal and external hemorrhage.” They are currently looking into the details surrounding his death, but initial reports suggest that Payne was alone during the incident.