Liam Payne to Still Appear on Singing Competition Series 'Building the Band' After His Tragic Death, Confirms Netflix

Yahoo

17-05-2025

Liam Payne will appear on Netflix's Building the Band following his tragic death at age 31 in October 2024, the streaming platform confirmed on May 14
Sources previously told PEOPLE the singing competition show's fate was unclear
The series will premiere later this summerThe late Liam Payne will remain on Building the Band.
After the "Strip That Down" singer's tragic death at age 31 in October 2024, sources told PEOPLE the fate of Netflix's Building the Band — which features Payne as a judge — was unclear. Now, the streaming platform has confirmed he will still appear on the singing competition series.
According to an article published May 14 on Netflix's Tudum platform, footage of the One Direction alum serving as a judge will remain in the upcoming show, which premieres later this summer.
The judging panel also includes Nicole Scherzinger and Kelly Rowland, while AJ McLean will host the program.
Building the Band will follow contestants as they attempt to form a music group without ever meeting face-to-face.
Prior to Payne's death, Rowland told PEOPLE he was "absolutely hilarious" during their time working on the show. "I didn't know how funny he was, so I'm getting to know him, and he is so cool," she said in August 2024.
The "For You" artist died in October 2024 after falling from the CasaSur Palermo Hotel's balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
A preliminary autopsy revealed that he died of multiple injuries and 'internal and external' hemorrhages.
According to his toxicology report, which was released in November, Payne had "alcohol, cocaine and prescription antidepressants" in his body.
Earlier this year, Payne's cause of death was confirmed by an inquest in the UK as "polytrauma," according to a hearing in December at Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court, per the BBC.
Following his death, Scherzinger — who is credited alongside Simon Cowell with creating One Direction when Payne was a contestant on The X Factor in 2010 — paid tribute to him on Instagram.
'Dear Liam, I will forever cherish and treasure the time we shared together, from fifteen years ago when One Direction was born, right up until just a few weeks ago,' she wrote. 'It was such a blessing to get to work with you recently. We shared the same love and passion for music and I will forever remember the meaningful and joyful conversations we had.'
'It's been so hard to process that you're no longer here, but I am grateful to have known your kind heart, sweet soul and character,' the former Pussycat Dolls star continued.
'You brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the lives of those that truly knew you,' she wrote before concluding with, "I will 'miss you' my friend and carry you in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. 🙏🏽♥️.'
Read the original article on People