How ‘Building the Band’ honors guest judge Liam Payne after his death

Building the Band is paying tribute to its late guest judge, Liam Payne. 

The premiere of Netflix’s reality singing competition opens with a short message from host AJ McLean honoring the One Direction singer, who died unexpectedly at 31 last year. 

“When we came together to film Building the Band, we never imagined we’d soon be saying goodbye to our friend, Liam Payne,” McLean says. “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.” 

The Backstreet Boys member continues, “It is through that spirit that we dedicate this series to Liam and his family.”

Payne had already completed filming on Building the Band prior to his death last October, when he fell from a third-story balcony while staying in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The series marks his final television appearance. 

The competition — which will drop multiple episodes every Wednesday over the next three weeks — follows a collection of aspiring singers as they attempt to form their own successful pop groups without meeting face-to-face. 

Payne is featured as a guest judge in later episodes of the show, joining Destiny’s Child alum Kelly Rowland and Building the Band mentor Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls to help guide the fledgling groups to stardom.

In the aftermath of Payne’s death, Netflix confirmed that the “Strip That Down” singer would still be featured in the series’ final cut and that all of the judges would bring “their unparalleled expertise and personal band experience to the competition.” 

Payne’s sister Ruth Gibbins praised her brother’s star factor in an emotional Instagram Story following the release of the Building the Band trailer last month. 

“I didn’t know whether to share this, but it felt weird when I’ve raved about Liam’s work and achievements for the last 15 years,” she wrote at the time. “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!”

Gibbins continued, “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.”