Liam Payne will feature in a new Netflix talent competition series recorded before his tragic death.
The One Direction star died aged 31 on October 16 last year after falling from the balcony of his third floor hotel room in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Liam died from multiple injuries sustained from the fall and suffered "internal and external bleeding".
The singer will appear in the show - titled Building The Band - alongside Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger and Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland. Netflix confirmed Scherzinger will take on the mentor and judge role, and Payne and Rowland will be guest judges.
The programme, which aims to find the "next great pop group", has a similar concept to Love Is Blind with contestants are kept in separate booths. It will bring together singers to form bands without seeing each other.
Netflix confirmed the release as it announced its 2025 slate of releases across TV and film. Kelly and Nicole both spoke about what it was like working with Liam before he died.
Kelly told People: "Liam is absolutely hilarious. I didn’t know how funny he was, so I’m getting to know him, and he is so cool."
Nicole shared snaps of her and Kelly with Payne and paid a heartfelt tribute to the singer. She wrote: "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.
"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. You brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the lives of those that truly knew you. I will “miss you” my friend and carry you in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with your family."
Scherzinger was a judge on The X Factor when Payne auditioned in 2010 and, she played a key part in forming One Direction. Building The Band was one of Liam's last projects, along with the track Do No Wrong with North Carolina singer Sam Pounds.
Pounds later delayed the release of the track as he wanted Payne’s “family to mourn in peace and in prayer”. In November, Payne’s funeral in Buckinghamshire was attended by Cheryl, mother to their son Bear, and Liam's fellow One Direction stars Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson.
The circumstances around Payne’s death at the Casa Sur Hotel is being investigated by the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Argentina. Five people have been charged in connection with his death.
This included the singer’s friend Roger Nores, the hotel’s manager, and a receptionist – who were all accused of manslaughter. Two others, a hotel employee and a waiter, were charged with supplying cocaine to the singer.
A hearing was held by Buckinghamshire Coroner’s Court in December to determine how Payne died. It has been adjourned until a pre-inquest review on November 6.
Nores, who says he is innocent, has made a legal complaint against Payne’s father, Geoff Payne – claiming “false” sworn declarations to Argentine officials. Court documents filed in Florida in January claim Nores and Payne had a “dear mutual friendship” but insisted he “never had a legal duty of care” towards him.
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