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Liam Payne may no longer be with us, but his legacy continues to resonate, especially among people who admired his energy, gift, and heart. Nine months following his tragic passing, the premiere season of Netflix's new reality series, Building the Band, which debuted on July 9, 2025, included the singer's footage, making room for a posthumous appearance of Payne, most famously known for his time in One Direction.
Hosted by Backstreet Boys musician AJ McLean, the premiere opened on July 9 with an emotional tribute to Liam. McLean welcomed fans with a heartfelt speech, honoring Liam's love for music and his desire to inspire others. The tribute struck a chord with fans and sparked an outpouring across social media platforms.
Building the Band Liam Payne Tribute Goes Viral
From the moment AJ McLean paused to pay tribute to Liam Payne during the premiere of the show, clips of the emotional segment immediately caught on social media. Montages of the tribute alongside older photos of Liam clogged up timelines. The death of the 31-year-old star remains a fresh wound for many, and the Netflix show created a platform to remember him not only as a pop star but also as an individual passionate about mentoring and nurturing young artists.
Liam served as a guest judge alongside music legends Kelly Rowland and Nicole Scherzinger. In scenes filmed just two months before his death last year, Liam delivered a mix of honest critique and heartfelt encouragement. Basing his opinion on his own experience with One Direction, which itself was formed on a TV talent competition, he urged contestants to prioritize connection, companionship, and staying their authentic selves.
His words now feel especially profound, knowing they were among his final moments on camera. Fans noted how present and invested he seemed during filming, making the tribute feel all the more bittersweet.
The show’s premise, where 50 contestants form bands without seeing each other first, echoes Liam Payne’s own beginnings. It is no surprise that he related so closely to their journey and wanted to help shape their path.
Liam passed away in October 2024 after a fall from the balcony that proved fatal during his stay in Buenos Aires. His passing shocked fans and members of the music fraternity. Being reunited with him once more, even though posthumously, Building the Band has become an opportunity for fans to see Liam once more, still full of energy and ambition, doing what he loved.
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His sisters Nicola and Ruth consented to Netflix's decision to air his final appearance. Nicola spoke about how watching the tapes gave their family a way to stay connected to him, while Ruth expressed how emotionally affected she was to see Liam get his one last moment in the limelight.
Liam Payne's legacy lives on not just through his music, but through the people whose lives he touched on and off stage. Building the Band is one final testament to who he was: gifted, kind-hearted, and always ready to teach the next generation. The tribute is not a goodbye, it's a celebration of all he gave and the light he leaves behind.
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