One Last Time: Liam Payne’s Final On-Screen Appearance to Air on Netflix Series

May 17, 2025: Netflix has officially announced that Building the Band, its upcoming music competition series, will premiere this summer — and it will feature the late Liam Payne in one of his final professional appearances.

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The former One Direction star had completed filming for the show prior to his tragic death in October 2024. The streaming platform recently released never-before-seen footage of Payne serving as a judge, confirming his presence in the series and offering fans an emotional glimpse of the singer’s final project.

A Unique Musical Journey — and a Heartfelt Goodbye

Building the Band brings together aspiring musicians who are tasked with forming a band — without ever meeting face-to-face. Liam Payne was joined on the judging panel by Nicole Scherzinger, AJ McLean, and Kelly Rowland.

According to PEOPLE, Payne brought warmth and humor to the set. “I didn’t know how funny he was,” Kelly Rowland shared in an interview from August 2024. “I’m getting to know me,” she quipped, referring to the surprisingly goofy side of the late star.

Liam Payne’s Tragic Passing

Liam Payne passed away in October 2024 during a vacation in Argentina. Reports confirmed that he fell from the balcony of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires. An autopsy cited severe internal and external injuries as the cause of death. Toxicology reports later indicated the presence of alcohol, cocaine, and prescription drugs in his system.

The tragic news sent shockwaves across the music industry and among millions of fans worldwide. Following his death, heartfelt tributes poured in from Payne’s Building the Band co-judges and industry peers.

Nicole Scherzinger, who had also judged a young Liam during his X Factor debut in 2010, shared a moving message on Instagram:

“I will forever cherish and treasure the time we shared together, from fifteen years ago when One Direction was born, right until just a few weeks ago,” she wrote, praising Liam’s “kind heart, sweet soul, and character.”

A Show Dedicated to Liam Payne

Fellow judge AJ McLean confirmed that the show will be dedicated to Liam. “This one’s for you, brother,” he said in a statement, remembering Liam’s contributions and spirit on set.

Netflix has not yet revealed the exact release date for Building the Band, but the emotional weight behind the show has already made it one of the most anticipated reality series of the summer.