Godwin ObajeLiam Payne’s sister, Ruth Gibbins, has spoken movingly about her late brother’s appearance in the upcoming Netflix series Building The Band, expressing deep pride and emotion at seeing the singer’s final project come to life.
The former One Direction star, who died in October last year at the age of 31, is set to appear posthumously as a judge on the new music competition series alongside Kelly Rowland and Nicole Scherzinger. The show, which focuses on forming music groups based on connection and talent rather than image, marks Payne’s final on-screen appearance.
In a heartfelt message shared to her Instagram story earlier this week, Gibbins reflected on the emotions she felt while watching the show’s trailer.
“I didn’t know whether to share this,” she began, “but it felt weird when I’ve raved about Liam’s work and achievements for the last 15 years.”
Recalling their time during filming, she added: “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!”
She concluded her message with a poignant tribute: “You’re a star Liam, you always were and always will be. 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.”
Payne’s participation in Building The Band had been announced prior to his passing, and despite his death, the project has continued with the full support of his family. A Netflix spokesperson confirmed earlier this year that Payne’s loved ones had “reviewed the series” and backed its release.
The series is hosted by AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys, with Rowland and Scherzinger also serving as mentors. The show’s format sees aspiring singers paired based on musical compatibility, chemistry, and performance merit.
The first four episodes of Building The Band are set to premiere on Netflix on July 9, with the remaining instalments to be released on July 16 and 23.
This isn’t the first time Gibbins has shared her grief publicly. In April, six months after Payne’s passing, she wrote a raw and emotional tribute on social media: “6 months, half a year without you?! My head is still screaming for you. Each morning on waking, I feel like I am plunged underwater, gasping for air that never comes to relieve me.
“Living without you is impossible, so for now, I exist,” she continued. “I’m learning to laugh or smile in the right places, but mate, it’s exhausting when all I want to do is speak to you… memories are always tinged with sadness at how unfair it is we can’t make new ones.”
Building The Band will serve as both a celebration of Payne’s legacy and a powerful reminder of the talent and heart he brought to everything he did.
Godwin Obaje
