Netflix’s Building the Band Opens with a Heartfelt Tribute to Late One Direction Star Liam Payne

9 July 2025

NBC | Credit: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Netflix’s newest reality competition series, Building the Band, premiered on July 9, 2025, with a poignant opening that set a tone of respect and remembrance. Host AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys who guided the show alongside judges Nicole Scherzinger and Kelly Rowland gave a heartfelt dedication to the late Liam Payne, the former One Direction star who passed away at age 31 last October. McLean recalled how the crew never imagined Payne would not be there to see the project to completion and praised his love for music and commitment to helping aspiring artists find their voice, noting that the entire series is dedicated to Payne and his family.

Payne had finished filming his role as a guest judge before the tragedy, and viewers will see him in later episodes where he supports contestants. McLean emphasized that through Payne’s presence on-screen, audiences witness his unwavering passion and dedication to mentoring emerging talent. The inclusion of Payne, instead of editing him out, highlights how much his insight and spirit meant to the show’s creators. Executive producer Cat Lawson added that his contributions were invaluable and that he was ‘amazing’ in his role, which made deciding to include him in the final cut an easy decision.

The series casts 50 aspiring singers into isolated sound booths for auditions, with groups formed based solely on vocal compatibility. As talent gets revealed, Payne’s judging style and guidance shine through in later rounds. Some critics have already reacted sensitively to the emotional weight his participation carries, debating whether airing his performance is respectful or unsettling. Nonetheless, Payne’s family gave their blessing, and host McLean emphasized that honoring his legacy felt fitting.

This tribute becomes particularly powerful considering Payne’s personal journey and his generous off-camera character. His sister, Ruth Gibbins, previously shared via Instagram that she felt immense pride watching him do what he loved one last time and called him a “star” who always was and always will be. Payne’s colleagues remember him not just for his artistry but for his camaraderie. McLean described the bond he and Payne forged on set, especially around their shared experiences with sobriety, noting that the show exemplifies Payne’s gentle spirit and positive influence.

For viewers, Building the Band presents dual narratives: the high-stakes music competition itself and a retrospective celebration of a beloved artist. Payne mentors hopefuls in crafting vocal harmony and group dynamics, drawing from his own experience with One Direction, which famously formed through blind auditions on The X Factor. His final television role now serves as a final bow, showcasing his lifelong devotion to music and mentorship.

The show’s format combines elements of The Voice, Love Is Blind, and earlier reality programs, aimed at forging fully formed pop ensembles instead of solo artists. But its premiere will be remembered as much for the tribute to Payne as for its fresh competition model. His posthumous presence amplifies that the series is more than another reality contest it is a celebration of his legacy.

Although some viewers find the concept emotionally charged and even unsettling, critics recognize that Payne’s inclusion is sincere, crafted to honor rather than exploit. The show avoids any overt sentimentality, instead offering genuine glimpses into Payne’s guidance. McLean’s introduction is framed as a tribute, not a memorial, and that distinction resonates throughout the season.

As the first four episodes drop, audiences are invited both to discover new musical talent and celebrate Payne’s lasting imprint. His critiques, mentorship, and encouragement live on in moments that range from technical feedback to heartfelt advice. Fans of Payne and music lovers alike may find solace in seeing him enact the passion that defined his career one final time .

In the end, Building the Band transcends the genre of a conventional singing show. It is both a platform for untested talents and a final stage for a beloved musician whose voice continues to shape new stories. It asks viewers to witness the merging of past and present to see Payne’s spirit echo through the next generation of performers. Whether the audience comes for the music or the tribute, Building the Band makes clear that some voices, once heard, never truly fade.