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On Christmas Day 2024, Sophia Smith, former girlfriend of the late One Direction star Liam Payne, shared the heartwarming news of her engagement to James Bridgwood. The intimate proposal, captured in a black-and-white Instagram video, featured the couple surrounded by rose petals, their one-year-old daughter Angelina joyfully joining the moment.
The announcement comes just two months after the tragic passing of Liam Payne, adding an emotional layer to Smith's milestone. "Yes a million times over ❤️💍 25.12.24," Smith captioned the video, drawing support from friends and fans. Among those offering congratulations were Lou Teasdale, One Direction's former makeup artist, and Louis Tomlinson's sister Lottie.
Smith, 30, and Bridgwood began their relationship in June 2022, officially announcing their romance on Instagram.
In December of the same year, Smith revealed her pregnancy, and the couple welcomed Angelina in April 2023. The engagement, set against a festive backdrop, symbolizes a fresh chapter for Smith and her family as they navigate a year marked by profound personal loss.
Sophia Smith's connection to Liam Payne dates back to their childhood in Wolverhampton, England. The two rekindled their friendship and dated from 2013 to 2015.
Liam Payne once shared in an Attitude magazine interview how their bond began: "I asked her sister for her number. She was shy, and I never thought I stood a chance." Their romance ended amicably, with Payne citing the challenges of long-distance relationships and career pressures.
The shadow of Payne's untimely death in October 2024 looms large over Smith's joyous announcement. Payne, 31, fell from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires while under the influence of substances. At the time, he was dating Kate Cassidy, who later memorialized him with angel wing tattoos.
