Former "X Factor" judge Nicole Scherzinger broke her silence Thursday about the unexpected death of One Direction alum Liam Payne. In a missive addressed to Payne, who died Oct. 16 after plunging from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires,

I will forever cherish and treasure the time we shared together, from fifteen years ago when One Direction was born, right up until just a few weeks ago.”

The former Pussycat Dolls singer is credited as being responsible for the formation of the best-selling band during the 2010 season of 'The X Factor' alongside Simon Cowell.