Liam Payne: He remains part of Netflix show "Building the Band"

Just a few months before his sudden and tragic death in October 2024, singer Liam Payne (1993-2024) was still in front of the camera for the new Netflix talent show "Building the Band." The former One Direction star was part of the star-studded panel as a judge. For a long time, it was unclear how the already filmed material would be handled – now the streaming provider has clarified: Payne will remain part of the show.

In a post on the website Tudum, Netflix announced that "Building the Band" will premiere this summer. In addition to Payne, Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger (46) and Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland (44) will serve as judges. Backstreet Boys star AJ McLean (47), who also boasts a long career in music, will host the show.

The show's concept differs significantly from traditional talent shows: 50 talents are to be combined to create a new band – without the participants seeing each other during the selection phase. The candidates must find each other based purely on their voices, performance, and musical chemistry. Only once a lineup has been finalized will the "blind" band project be revealed. With this, Netflix aims to focus entirely on the musical talent and the hidden dynamics – a modern reinterpretation of the talent show genre.

The show was announced by Netflix in August 2024 and was originally scheduled to be released shortly thereafter. However, on October 16, former One Direction star Liam Payne died at the age of 31 after falling from a third-story hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Argentinian authorities launched a comprehensive investigation and charged several people in connection with the singer's death. According to prosecutors, forensic experts believe it is likely that he passed out while attempting to climb over the balcony railing. An autopsy revealed large quantities of alcohol and cocaine in his body. Investigators believe the fatal fall was not a suicide.

SpotOnNews