Credit: Tyler Golden/NBC

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On the third night of The Voice Season 26 Playoffs, the show paid tribute to Liam Payne, who died last month. Find out how the late singer is connected to the show and, specifically, to one contestant’s Playoffs performance.

During the November 26 episode of The Voice, Michael Bublé’s team — Shye, Cameron Wright, Jaukeem Fortson, Sloane Simon, Sofronio Vasquez — battled for a spot in the Live Shows. Shye and Vasquez were selected to advance.

Among the song selections, Shye sang the One Direction song “Story of My Life.” The song had a special connection with The Voice since Niall Horan, who was a member of One Direction, served as a coach on the show during Seasons 23 and 24.

Bublé shared after Shye’s performance, “I met Niall Horan at close to about your age and he was electric already, so I wanted to do something where I felt like I was paying tribute to that potential and greatness. Some people just got it and we can’t explain it. There’s no way to articulate it. The lights turn on and they just glow. I’m so proud of you. Shye was absolutely perfect.

He noted, “Her voice is stunning. It’s unique. It is needed because in a world where so much is the same, we need Shye.”

The Voice filmed this episode in the summer, so it was before One Direction singer Payne’s death. He tragically died on October 16 after falling from the balcony of his third-story hotel room in Argentina. He was 31.

The show displayed a tribute card that read “In memory of Liam Payne” before the commercial break. Payne was Horan’s bandmate in One Direction.

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In an October 18 Instagram post, Horan shared a statement about the death of his “brother.” He wrote: “I’m absolutely devastated about the passing of my amazing friend, Liam. It just doesn’t feel real. Liam had an energy for life and a passion for work that was infectious. He was the brightest in every room and always made everyone feel happy and secure.”

Horan noted, “All the laughs we had over the years, sometimes about the simplest of things, keep coming to mind through the sadness. We got to live out our wildest dreams together and I will cherish every moment we had forever. The bond and friendship we had doesn’t happen often in a lifetime.”

He added, “I feel so fortunate that I got to see him recently. I sadly didn’t know that after saying goodbye and hugging him that evening, I would be saying goodbye forever. It’s heartbreaking. My love and condolences go out to Geoff, Karen, Ruth, Nicola and of course his son Bear. Thank you for everything, Payno. Love you brother, Nialler.”

One Direction fan comments on The Voice Instagram expressed their sadness over Payne’s death and how the One Direction song hits different now. “So beautiful and moving ❤️🙌👏,” one fan shared. “This song hits so hard after Liam Payne’s tragedy 😭🙏🕊️.”

Another noted, “Cried through the whole thing. Such a beautiful take. Liam Payne had to be smiling.”

Others wrote, “Liam would have been so proud and it made me tear up 😭,” “RIP Liam. You did this song justice,” “Literally started sobbing. Listening to 1D hurts so much rn,” and “Amazing 🤩 and great tribute to Liam Payne. @niallhoran will be so proud 🥲.”