Liam Payne is set to appear in a new Netflix talent competition series, Building The Band, just months after his tragic passing in Argentina. The former One Direction member will join former Destiny’s Child star Kelly Rowland as a guest judge on the show, which aims to unite singers to form bands in “booths” without prior interaction.
The announcement of the series came in September, shortly before Payne’s untimely death at the age of 31, following a fall from a hotel balcony. Netflix has now confirmed that the show will premiere this year as part of their 2025 programming slate.
AJ McLean from the Backstreet Boys will host the series, while Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls will serve as a mentor and judge. Scherzinger was a judge on The X Factor when Payne auditioned in 2010, playing a pivotal role in the formation of One Direction.
Building The Band represents one of Payne’s final projects, alongside his collaboration with North Carolina singer Sam Pounds on the track “Do No Wrong.” Pounds has since postponed the release of the song, expressing a desire for Payne’s family to have time to grieve peacefully.
Payne’s funeral in Buckinghamshire in November was attended by notable figures, including singer Cheryl, the mother of his son Bear, and fellow One Direction members Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office in Argentina is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding Payne’s death at the Casa Sur Hotel. Five individuals have been charged in connection with the incident, including Payne’s friend Roger Nores, the hotel manager, and a receptionist, all facing manslaughter accusations. Additionally, two others, a hotel employee and a waiter, have been charged with supplying cocaine.
A hearing was conducted by Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court in December to determine the details of Payne’s death, which has been adjourned until a pre-inquest review scheduled for November 6. The release date for Building The Band has yet to be announced.
