**Liam Payne Appears Posthumously as Guest Judge in New Netflix Music Competition Series**
Fans of music television are set for a poignant moment this summer with the forthcoming Netflix release of “Building the Band”, which features the late Liam Payne as a guest judge. The new trailer for the highly anticipated competition has just been unveiled, offering the first public glimpse of Payne’s final television appearance, filmed shortly before his untimely death.
Payne, who gained international fame as a member of the hugely successful boy band One Direction, makes a significant appearance in the series as a guest judge. This role, now taking on a particularly poignant resonance, sees the singer lending his musical expertise to a group of aspiring performers striving to launch their own careers in the industry.
Tragically, Payne passed away in October at the age of 31, following a fall from a balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. A post-mortem report indicated the cause of death was multiple injuries, including both internal and external haemorrhaging. His sudden passing shocked both fans and fellow artists, sparking an outpouring of tributes from across the musical world.
“Building the Band” stands out among music reality TV shows by presenting an unusual format. Rather than meeting face-to-face, the 50 competing singers begin their journey isolated from each other, performing unseen in individual sound booths. From these performances, only six bands are eventually formed. At this point, participants finally meet their fellow band members in person, introducing a new set of challenges as they navigate group dynamics, develop choreography, and create a coherent style ahead of live performances.
Payne’s presence in the programme is accompanied by several other figures from the pop world. The judging panel includes Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland, while host duties are handled by AJ McClean. Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls takes on the role of mentor, guiding the fledgling bands as they negotiate the pressures of the competition and the demands of the music industry.
During the newly released trailer, Liam Payne can be seen delivering feedback to contestants with his trademark combination of candour and encouragement. In one heartfelt moment, he advises the aspiring musicians: “I need to feel that connection between you guys.” His words exemplify the emphasis the programme places on genuine musical chemistry and collaboration—qualities Payne once embodied as part of his own group.
Liam Payne first came to prominence in 2010 when he joined Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson to form One Direction during the UK’s X Factor series. From those beginnings, the group went on to become a global phenomenon, producing five chart-topping albums and completing four sell-out world tours. The group ultimately went on hiatus in 2016, with each member pursuing individual musical ventures.
Following his years with One Direction, Payne achieved solid success as a solo artist. His debut album, “LP1”, was released in December 2019 and included singles such as “Polaroid” featuring Lennon Stella and Jonas Blue, as well as “Strip That Down” with Quavo. He also collaborated with Rita Ora on the hit single “For You”, further establishing himself as a solo act in his own right.
Despite his solo achievements, Payne’s love of collaboration and group performance never faded—qualities reflected in both his work on “Building the Band” and in his judging style. His unforeseen death leaves the music community with a sense of what more he might have accomplished.
The release of “Building the Band” on Netflix on 9 July is likely to attract significant viewership as fans and music enthusiasts tune in to witness what is set to be Payne’s final television project. The programme’s unique approach and star-studded line-up promise an engaging viewing experience, but for many, the real draw will be the chance to see Liam Payne once again offering encouragement and insight to a new generation of aspiring talent.