Nicole Scherzinger said she would “forever cherish the time” she spent with Liam Payne in tribute to the late singer.

“It was so hard to process that you are gone, but I am grateful to have gotten to know your kind heart, sweet soul and character,” Scherzinger wrote on Instagram.

Scherzinger, of course, famously played a role in the formation of One Direction X Factor UKwhere she served as judge. In footage released a few years ago to mark the band’s 12th anniversary, Scherzinger and Simon Cowell are seen scrolling through photos of potential members. At one point, Cowell even suggested Payne go into another possible group, a move Scherzinger rejected.

“He might be the leader,” she said at the time.

In her tribute, Scherzinger recalled the moment “fifteen years ago when One Direction was born,” as well as the pair’s recent work “just a few weeks ago” on the Netflix series, Building the bond.

“It was such a blessing to work with you recently,” said Scherzinger. “We shared the same love and passion for music and I will forever remember the meaningful and joyful conversations we had.”

Scherzinger concluded her note by saying, “You brought so much joy, light and laughter into the lives of those who truly knew you. I will miss you my friend and carry you in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.”