By Zoe Papadakis | Wednesday, 24 June 2026 01:00 PM EDT
Influencer Kate Cassidy’s latest relationship ended after she repeatedly compared her new boyfriend to her late partner, One Direction member Liam Payne.
In a June 22 TikTok video, Cassidy, 27, revealed that her ex-boyfriend—whom she nicknamed “Joe”—abruptly broke up with her because her ongoing grief became overwhelming.
Cassidy had been dating Liam Payne for two years at the time of his death in October 2024. She admitted that internal struggles led to the split, saying she found herself questioning why “Joe” acted differently than Liam would have.
“He texted me yesterday and told me we should go our separate ways because it’s just too much,” Cassidy said. “I understand. I feel sad because I don’t like losing people… especially at the beginning of a relationship when you’re so excited to see where it goes.”
The breakup occurred three months after Cassidy soft-launched a new romance, though she did not confirm if “Joe” was the same man.
Reflecting on their early stages, Cassidy described Joe as “really sweet” and noted he was low-key with no social media. She said they met his family, went on trips, and things were progressing quickly.
Cassidy candidly acknowledged her role in the relationship’s collapse: “I f up.”
She also highlighted psychological hurdles: “Dating after losing someone you thought you’d spend your life with is really tough… I physically look for Liam in every guy I meet.”
“If they don’t hit all the check marks, I tend to back away or almost resent this person,” she added.
Court documents obtained recently revealed that Liam Payne’s 9-year-old son, Bear Payne, is the sole beneficiary of a $29,007,998 inheritance.
The singer died after falling from a hotel balcony and left no will. In May 2025, a U.K. court appointed his mother, Cheryl, and attorney Richard Mark Bray as estate administrators.
According to filings, the estate’s gross value was $38 million with a net worth of $32.2 million. Reports indicate that Cheryl and Bray will manage funds under limited authority, with most money held in trust until Bear Payne turns 18.
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazines, and websites.
