Payne died after falling from a third floor at a hotel in Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires, police have confirmed.
A spokesperson said: "Liam James Payne, composer and guitarist, former member of the band One Direction, died today after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Palermo".
Liam Payne burst onto the scene in 2010 alongside teenagers Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik in boyband sensation One Direction following their appearance on the X Factor.
The show was hosted by Dermot O'Leary, who led the tributes to Liam Payne, calling his death "the worst news".
"The worst news. I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing", O'Leary wrote. "He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble".
Other stars to pay tribute include The Wanted star Max George, who competed with Payne on The X Factor, also called his death "absolutely devastating news".
"Over the last few years I had the pleasure of getting to know him personally and spent some treasured time with him", George wrote. "He supported me a lot personally after Tom passed. I will never forget that".
Olly Murs who starred on The X Factor a year after One Direction, also paid homage to Payne.
"Liam shared the same passions as me, the same dreams so to see his life now end so young hits hard, I'm truly gutted and devastated for his family and of course his son Bear losing a dad", he said.
Charlie Puth who collaborated with Payne on on the singe, 'Bedroom Floor', wrote: "I am in shock right now".
"Liam was always so kind to me. He was one of the first major artists I got to work with. I cannot believe he is gone", he added.
Anne Twist, the mother of Payne's former 1D bandmate Harry Styles, also added a caption: "Just a boy..."
"Sending love and condolences to his family and loved ones", Paris Hilton wrote
