Godwin ObajeAs Netflix premieres Building the Band, the bittersweet reality of Liam Payne’s final TV appearance is hitting home for Cheryl and their son, Bear.
The new 10-part music competition series marks one of Liam’s last public projects before his untimely passing eight months ago. While fans welcome the chance to see the former One Direction star on screen again, those closest to him—especially Cheryl—are still grappling with grief and difficult choices.
According to sources close to the singer, Cheryl has been deeply conflicted about whether or not to watch the series with Bear, now eight.
“Cheryl has been feeling very conflicted. After a lot of thought, she decided the show was something she should watch, but she’s still really torn about whether Bear should see it,” an insider tells heat. “Cheryl is so protective of him, but she also wants Bear to be proud of his dad. She’s trying to focus on the positive aspect of it. She wants to show Bear how talented his dad was, but she doesn’t want to overwhelm him.”
Building the Band features aspiring musicians auditioning in soundproof booths, selecting each other for new bands based solely on vocals. Liam appears as a guest judge in the final episodes alongside Destiny’s Child star Kelly Rowland. Nicole Scherzinger, who helped form One Direction in 2010, leads the judging panel, while AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys hosts.
The series opens with an emotional tribute from AJ: “When we came together to film Building The Band, we never imagined we’d soon be saying goodbye to our friend Liam Payne. Liam is a guest judge in later episodes and through his presence, we see his deep love for music and his unwavering commitment to helping others find their voice. It is through that spirit that we dedicate this series to Liam and his family.”
Though the show was filmed just weeks before Liam’s tragic death, Cheryl has found comfort in seeing his enduring passion.
“The show was filmed so close to Liam’s passing, but Cheryl can see from the trailer that he still had that spark in his eye and was passionate about what he was doing,” the source adds. “The whole thing is incredibly bittersweet. When someone dies suddenly, it leaves a huge hole, but with this show, it almost feels like she’s learning something new about Liam.”
Liam’s pride in the project was clear. “This is something that Liam put his heart and soul into and wanted to be a success,” the insider says. “He was genuinely looking forward to it as the next chapter in his career.”
While Cheryl continues to navigate her own grief, her focus remains on Bear. “The arrival of this show has been hugely triggering for Cheryl, but she is also being pragmatic,” the source explains. “She’s seeing it as a celebration of Liam – she wants Bear to be proud of him.”
And in the quiet moments between heartbreak and healing, that may be the most important legacy Liam leaves behind.
Godwin Obaje
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