Sophia Smith, the former girlfriend of the late Liam Payne, has announced her engagement to her boyfriend, James Bridgwood, just two months after the tragic passing of the One Direction star.
The influencer, 30, shared the happy news on Instagram on Friday with a heartfelt black-and-white video of the proposal. Surrounded by rose petals and champagne, James proposed to Sophia on Christmas Day, a moment she captioned: “Yes a million times over 25.12.24.”
The couple shares a daughter, Angelina, born in April 2023, and celebrated the joyous occasion as a family.
Sophia and Liam’s History
Sophia and Liam, who had known each other since their schooldays in Wolverhampton, dated from 2013 to October 2015. Their split, Liam revealed at the time, was to ensure both could pursue their own paths.
“I’m absolutely devastated to have split with Sophia, but in order to do right by somebody, sometimes it’s better not to do what your heart wants, but to do what’s better for them,” Liam told The Sun on Sunday at the time.
Their relationship had seemed serious, with Liam even discussing the possibility of marriage shortly before their breakup.
Liam Payne’s Tragic Death
Liam Payne died at age 31 on October 16, 2024, after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires. The autopsy revealed multiple injuries and external bleeding as the cause of death, with traces of alcohol, cocaine, and a prescribed antidepressant found in his system.
The tragedy has led to three people being charged in connection with his death, including a hotel staff member who allegedly supplied Payne with cocaine and a drug dealer. They face charges of “abandonment of a person followed by death” and “supplying and facilitating the use of narcotics.”
Sophia’s New Chapter
While Payne’s death shocked the world and left fans grieving, Sophia’s engagement marks a new chapter in her life. Supporters have shared their congratulations on social media, with many praising her strength during a challenging time.
Sophia’s announcement comes as she and her fiancé, James, continue to focus on their future and raising their young daughter, Angelina.
