The dedicated team behind Netflix’s Building the Band is grappling with the profound loss of Liam Payne, especially poignant this week as the show premieres on Wednesday, July 9. This release comes just nine months after the tragic passing of the beloved One Direction star, which has cast a shadow over the show’s debut on the popular streaming platform.
In the very first moments of the competition series’ inaugural episode, host AJ McLean pays heartfelt tribute to his late friend, Liam Payne. “When we came together to film Building the Band, we never imagined we’d soon be saying goodbye to our friend Liam Payne,” the member of The Backstreet Boys shares directly with the audience, setting a reflective tone for the series.
“Liam is featured as a guest judge in later episodes, and through his appearances, we can witness his profound love for music and his unwavering commitment to empowering others to discover their unique voices,” McLean adds as a touching montage of Payne’s moments on the show unfolds. “It’s with that spirit of camaraderie and passion that we dedicate this series to Liam and his family,” he expresses, showcasing the emotional depth behind the series.
Building the Band was one of the final creative endeavors Liam Payne engaged in before his untimely death last October. Just two months after completing filming in August, he tragically fell from the fourth-floor balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires. Subsequent toxicology reports revealed that high levels of alcohol and other substances were present in his system at the time of his passing, adding a layer of complexity to the narrative surrounding his legacy.
Throughout their time working together on the show, AJ McLean and Liam Payne forged a bond over their shared experiences in the world of boy bands. Both of these talented musicians have been candid about their battles with sobriety, with McLean noting that they shared “a lot of parallel life experiences” during a recent interview with Today. This connection not only highlights their personal struggles but also emphasizes the importance of support within the music industry.
In that same enlightening interview, AJ McLean disclosed that he had the privilege of hearing some of the unreleased music Liam Payne was working on while they filmed Building the Band. “I thought it was really sweet that he would entrust someone that he’s still getting to know to provide their feedback,” he shared with the long-running NBC morning show. “I believed it was a remarkable body of work, and I genuinely hope that the world and his fans will get the chance to hear it in the future. It’s truly beautiful, beautiful music,” he expressed, underscoring the artistic quality of Payne’s work.
Featuring the talents of Nicole Scherzinger and Kelly Rowland as judges, Building the Band introduces aspiring singers who are placed into isolated pods, where they embark on the journey of forming a musical group without ever seeing one another. The anticipation builds as the first four episodes are currently available for viewing, while the subsequent groups of episodes are slated to be released on July 16 and July 23, respectively, keeping audiences engaged and excited.
Following Liam Payne’s tragic death, Netflix secured the blessing of his family to proceed with the show, demonstrating a commitment to honoring his legacy. After a trailer for the series premiered in June, Payne’s sister, Ruth Gibbins, expressed her thoughts on how meaningful it was to witness her brother shine on screen, reflecting the emotional impact of the series.
“I’m heartbroken he never got to see how great he is in this show,” she shared on Instagram Stories at the time. “He knew he had done an excellent job; we all told him this during filming, but seeing it back, wow!” Her heartfelt sentiments resonate with fans and viewers alike, emphasizing the profound loss while celebrating Liam Payne’s contributions to the music world and his lasting impact on those who loved him.
