Liam Payne Had The Perfect Response To Harry Styles' Vogue Cover

    "He's free to do as he wishes."

    Remember when Harry Styles wore a bunch of dresses for Vogue, and conservative pundit Candace Owens set off a whole bunch of controversy with an insensitive tweet? It was only a month and a half ago, but it's been a long year.

    Of course, tons of people were on Harry's side — and now former One Direction bandmate Liam Payne has joined the crowd.

    Liam Payne poses on the red carpet prior to the 2020 Laureus World Sports Awards ceremony

    During a recent interview on Capital Breakfast With Roman Kemp (via Entertainment Tonight), Liam said that his former 1D mate's shoot was "great."

    "I think he's enjoying himself and he's free to do as he wishes," Liam said. "And, you know, I just think that people don't need to be so bothered about stuff."

    He added, "There's been a lot more stuff going on this year than whether or not he’s wearing the right clothes in someone else’s mind."

    Liam continued to testify to Harry's ever-present streak of individuality: "He's never really lost himself, even in spite of everything."

    Liam said, "After the band, we didn't speak for a long time, actually, and then I remember seeing him — it was actually at a Jingle Bell Ball — backstage for the first time in a long time."

    He added, "He's still the same guy he always was when we left each other in that dressing room as the band kind of stopped for a little bit."

    And who would want it any other way?