India, Oct. 20 -- Kate Cassidy's close friend has spoken out about how deeply she struggled following boyfriend Liam Payne's sudden death in Argentina last year. "There were months where I literally didn't see her smile, and I was seeing her every day," a friend told the Daily Mail on Sunday. "It was so concerning. She didn't even seem like herself. She canceled a lot of hangouts and just was almost a recluse."

Cassidy, who began dating the former One Direction singer in 2022, reportedly withdrew from social life after his passing. The friend said she's "doing better now," adding that she's been "hanging out with friends" and is "open to dating again," though "she's not quite there yet."

"There was a point where she was definitely not O...