Godwin ObajeLiam Payne’s sister, Ruth Gibbins, has shared an emotional tribute to the late One Direction star ahead of the release of his final TV appearance on Netflix’s upcoming music competition series, Building The Band.
The new series, which debuts on 9 July, features Payne as a guest judge and mentor, joining Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland and Pussycat Dolls frontwoman Nicole Scherzinger. The show brings together 50 musicians who must form bands without ever seeing one another, relying solely on musical connection and chemistry.
Payne, who tragically died at the age of 31, filmed the series just months before his passing. Netflix has confirmed that his family has reviewed the series and fully supports his inclusion in the programme.
Ruth Gibbins took to social media to express both her pride and heartbreak. “I didn’t know whether to share this, but it felt weird when I’ve raved about Liam’s work and achievements for the last 15 years,” she wrote.
“I’m heartbroken he never got to see how great he is in this show. He knew he had done a good job, we all told him this when we were at filming, but watching it back, wow!”
“You’re a star Liam, you always were and always will be,” she added. “There are a range of emotions I felt watching this, but one of the main ones is immeasurable pride, always. Miss you more every day.”
In the second official trailer released by Netflix this week, Payne is seen mentoring contestants and offering heartfelt advice. “I need to feel that connection between you guys,” he says in one scene during rehearsals. In another, he tells a contestant: “How these bands are put together is not normal. We weren’t put together that way,” reflecting on his own journey on The X Factor, where he was placed into One Direction in 2010.
The show is hosted by AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys and spans three weeks, with four episodes launching on 9 July, and subsequent episodes arriving on 16 and 23 July.
Fans have taken to social media to react to the trailer, expressing a mix of joy and sadness. “Snippets of Liam from Building The Band trailer, felt emotional watching it. Seeing Liam all beautiful and happy made me forget the last nine months,” one fan wrote on X. “He would have been so happy to share these moments with us,” said another.
“Heartbreaking to see Liam Payne in this posted. It’s going to be his final project forever. I’m going to be crying my eyes out watching this show,” a third wrote.
Payne’s presence in Building The Band now stands as a powerful tribute to his legacy – not only as a global pop icon but as a mentor and musician dedicated to helping the next generation of artists find their voice.
Godwin Obaje
