Liam Payne, the beloved singer, is set to feature in Netflix’s upcoming talent competition, “Building the Band,” but reports suggest his family was taken aback by the announcement of its release. The series, which was filmed prior to Payne’s tragic passing at 31 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, will include the singer as a guest judge alongside Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child. This posthumous appearance has reportedly caused surprise within the Liam Payne Family circle, as discussions regarding the show’s direction were still ongoing from their perspective.
Netflix had initially paused the launch of “Building the Band” following Liam Payne’s death, prompting considerations about the most respectful way to proceed. However, recent statements indicate the show is moving forward, even though it’s believed final approval from the Liam Payne family hadn’t been formally given. A source close to the situation revealed, “They spoke with Liam’s family as they didn’t want to progress the project without taking their feelings into consideration.” This communication led the family to believe the show would be a positive commemoration of Liam Payne.
However, speaking to The Sun, the same source clarified the Liam Payne family’s position, stating, “But they hadn’t given it a final stamp of approval and as far as they were concerned were still discussing what the show would look like. So they were surprised by the announcement.” This indicates a disconnect between Netflix’s plans and the family’s understanding of the situation.
Brandon Riegg, Vice President of Netflix’s unscripted series, acknowledged the ongoing dialogue with the Liam Payne family. “So Liam was part of Building The Band and we have been in touch with his family to discuss what role that will play,” he stated, emphasizing that conversations were still in progress. While no definitive announcements have been made, Riegg confirmed Netflix’s engagement with the family regarding Liam Payne’s involvement in the show.
The concept of “Building the Band” is described by Netflix as a unique approach to forming pop groups. Aspiring artists connect and form bands in isolated “booths” based purely on musical chemistry, without seeing each other. The show then explores what happens when these bands finally meet face-to-face, introducing elements of visual presentation, choreography, and style into the mix. Netflix highlights “incredible performances, compelling drama,” and the overarching aim to “find the next great music band” as key components of the series, promising viewers an “unforgettable experience.”
The initial postponement by Netflix came with a statement from a source noting, “It is too soon to make a decision, but the show has definitely not been shelved.” Filming had concluded the previous summer, and the intention was to engage with the Liam Payne family “when the time is right to speak about the series and when it could be released.” This period of sensitivity reflects the deep respect and sadness felt by everyone involved in the project. The source further suggested that releasing the series could serve as “a beautiful tribute to Liam and capture him at his best in the months before his death,” framing it as a potential positive outcome amidst the grief.
As “Building the Band” moves towards its release, the focus remains on how Netflix will navigate the sensitivities surrounding Liam Payne’s posthumous appearance and ensure the project honors his memory in a way that resonates with both fans and the Liam Payne family. The coming months will reveal how these discussions unfold and what the final presentation of the series will entail.
