Liam Payne fans have been left in tears just moments into Netflix’s Building The Band, his final project, which he filmed in the weeks leading up to his tragic death
Liam Payne fans have been left inconsolable as his final Netflix project has been released. Building The Band, which Liam filmed for Netflix just weeks before his death, has finally been released on the streaming platform.
The programme will show Liam at his best, helping other emerging musicians discover their talent and helping them navigate life in a band. But following his heartbreaking death in October last year, there had been speculation as to whether the show would still air.
Netflix later confirmed that they had shown the programme to Liam’s family, who had given their blessing and had watched the entirety of the show. On the programme, Liam sits alongside pal Nicole Scherzinger, who helped create mega-band One Direction when she was a guest judge on The X Factor, as well as former Destiny’s Child singer, Kelly Rowland.
As the show opened, host and Backstreet Boys star AJ McLean shared a very moving tribute to Liam. He said: “When we came together to film Building The Band, we never imagined we’d soon be saying goodbye to our friend, Liam Payne.
“Liam is a guest judge in later episodes and through his presence, we see his deep love for music and his unwavering commitment to helping others find their voice. It’s through that spirit that we dedicate this series to Liam and his family.” Since the first episode dropped earlier today, fans have taken to social media to share their heartbreak and tears.
One said: “I’m already broken.” A second went on to add: “I’m not strong enough to watch the show. The last work, the last performance, the last smile… I can’t do it, not yet. My mind keeps dragging me back to the pain, to the brutal truth that he’s gone. Maybe one day I’ll be brave enough but right now I just can’t.”
“I miss you so much, my love, wherever you are. I hope you’re being free and happy,” said another. Meanwhile, a fourth devastated fan typed: “You’re so deeply missed Liam.” Another commented: “Ahhh… I don’t think I can bring myself to watch Building The Band just yet. The trailer alone broke me, and I can’t even imagine how much harder the full show will hit. I’m sorry, Liam. One day, I promise. I’m so proud of you, and I know you were proud of it too.”
But in the first four episodes of the series, this is the only mention of Liam. As the credits rolled, the only judge who was named was Nicole Scherzinger.
As the fourth episode came to an end, host AJ revealed that the winning band would receive $500,000 as the cameras panned to Nicole and Kelly Rowland, with Liam being absent from the shot.
In October, Liam sadly died aged just 31, after falling from the third-floor balcony of his hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina. In the weeks leading up to his death, he had been in Manchester filming the series. Netflix had ensured that Liam’s legacy will be cemented on the programme and he will remain a firm key feature on the show.
A source said: “Even though Liam had filmed a substantial amount of material for the show, the decision was made shortly after his passing to continue the project, honour his legacy and amazing story as a One Direction member and bring this series to audiences.”
Building The Band episodes one to four are available to stream now on Netflix.
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