Joshua Goldman
Joshua Goldman
min read · July 1, 2025 · Entertainment

Liam Payne's Heartfelt Legacy: A Tribute in 'Building The Band'

Liam Payne is given a heartbreaking tribute at the start of new Netflix series Building The Band which was filmed before his tragic death

SHOCKING TRIBUTE: Liam Payne's Final Act on Netflix's "Building The Band" Leaves Fans Reeling!

In a stunning turn of events, the late singer Liam Payne will make a posthumous appearance as a judge on Netflix's new reality show "Building The Band", a talent competition that was filmed before his tragic death at just 31 years old.

The 10-part series is set to premiere on July 9, with new episodes dropping every Wednesday. But before the music begins, hosts and judges will pay tribute to Liam in a heartfelt segment that will leave fans emotional.

Before the competition starts, show host Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean (left) appears on screen with the tribute

According to sources close to the show, Liam's family was shown the entire series prior to its release and has given their blessing for his inclusion. The show's host, AJ McLean of Backstreet Boys fame, will appear on screen with a touching message to Liam and his loved ones.

"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," AJ says. "It is through that spirit that we dedicate this series to Liam and his family."

But the drama doesn't stop there! The show, which pits talented singers against each other in a bid to form the next great band, will have viewers on the edge of their seats as contestants audition for each other in individual booths - without seeing each other!

The singer will make a posthumous appearance as a judge in the talent show, filmed before he died aged 31 in October, after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires

With judges Nicole Scherzinger from Pussycat Dolls and Kelly Rowland from Destiny's Child joining Liam, fans can expect some serious music-making magic. But behind-the-scenes drama and catty catfights are also sure to ensue as contestants vie for the top spot.

So, what really went down during filming? Insiders claim that Liam was in great form at the time of filming, but there were rumors of partying and substance use on set. In fact, a toxicology report later revealed that Liam had a staggering BAC of 2.7 grams per liter - more than three times the legal limit!

And if that wasn't enough, the same report found traces of cocaine metabolites, methylecgonine, benzoylecgomine, cocaethylene, and the antidepressant sertraline in his system. Yikes! It's clear that Liam's family is still reeling from the shock of his sudden passing.

The 10-part series will see talented singers vie for a chance to form the next great band, unseen in a similar vein to The Voice

The question on everyone's mind: what did Liam's loved ones think when they watched the finished product? According to sources close to the show, Liam's family was shown the entire series and gave their blessing for its release. They're said to be pleased that fans will get to see the "real" Liam one last time - bittersweet indeed!

Tune in: Don't miss the premiere of "Building The Band" on July 9, as Liam Payne's posthumous appearance is sure to leave you breathless!

And joining Liam on the judging panel is Pussycat Dolls' Nicole Scherzinger and Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland, while Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean will host

Last month, a source told The Sun that his family were shown the entire series in advance and have 'given it their blessing' before adding that Netflix worked 'very closely' with Liam's family to ensure the tone of the final cut was right

The celebrity mentors will bring their 'unparalleled expertise and personal band experience to the competition'