Godwin ObajeLiam Payne to Make Final On-Screen Appearance in Netflix Talent Show ‘Building the Band’
The late Liam Payne will return to screens for one final time next month in Netflix’s upcoming talent competition Building the Band, airing with the full support of his family.
Best known for his role in One Direction – one of the most successful boybands in music history – Payne features as a guest judge on the series, which brings together young, aspiring singers in the hopes of forming the next global supergroup.
Hosted by Backstreet Boys star AJ McLean and featuring mentors such as Nicole Scherzinger and Kelly Rowland, the series aims to replicate the magic that made groups like One Direction and Destiny’s Child global sensations.
“Titled Building the Band, the show brings together aspiring singers with the aim of forming a new supergroup,” the show’s official synopsis explains. “All they have to go on is musical compatibility, connection, chemistry and merit. What will happen when the bands finally meet, and looks, choreography and style come into play?”
Payne appears alongside Rowland as one of the show’s rotating guest judges. Though he does not appear in the official trailer released on June 11, anticipation surrounding his appearance is already generating emotional reactions from fans.
“Watching to see Liam for the last time,” one user commented beneath the trailer. Another added: “So we’re all here for the same thing.”
The series will debut less than a year after Payne’s tragic death in Buenos Aires. His family, who were consulted during production, have given their approval for his inclusion in the final cut.
In a press release issued by Netflix, the platform stated that the singer’s family had “reviewed the series and [was] supportive of his inclusion.”
The show itself puts an original spin on the traditional band formation format. Contestants begin by recording vocals and choosing fellow musicians based solely on their sound, without seeing their faces. Bands are only brought together later, when visuals, choreography and group chemistry come into play. It’s a concept that echoes the roots of One Direction, who were famously formed on The X Factor based on potential and performance, rather than image alone.
Payne’s career – first as a band member and later as a solo artist – left a significant impact on modern pop. While he achieved global fame and success, he was also open about personal struggles, including mental health and substance issues. His unexpected death at the age of 31 shocked fans worldwide and sparked an outpouring of tributes across the music industry.
Building the Band is set to premiere on Netflix on July 9, marking a bittersweet farewell to a star whose talent and charisma helped define a generation of pop music.
Godwin Obaje
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