The former “One Direction” crooner teased his new single, a collaboration with Steve Aoki, and wowed the X-Factor judges and audience in the same stage where his talent was discovered six years ago.
“Oh, until it’s all been said, it’s not over until your dying breath,” Tomlinson recited. “So what do you want them to say when you’re gone? That you gave up or that you kept going on?”
His performance received a standing ovation from the show’s panel of judges that included his former manager, Simon Cowell, who praised Tomlinson. “I respect you as an artist, I respect you as a person,” Cowell said. “Your mom was proud of you, Louis, and she was looking forward to tonight.” Tomlinson is grieving over the death of his mother, 43-year-old Johannah Deakin.
On Twitter, he thanked his family and supporters for their non-stop encouragement. “This was harder than I imagined. I want to thank everyone around me and all of the amazing fans out there that made me so special,” he said. Daily Mail reported that Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Niall Horan were present at the show to cheer for their former band mate. Though absent, Zayn Malik shared his support through a Twitter post on Friday.
@Louis_Tomlinson love you bro! All of your family is in my prayers. proud of your strength and know your mum is too x
