The new Netflix competition series “Building the Band” is dedicated to the guest host Liam Payne, who died in October. In the premiere episode of the series, host AJ McLean honors the One Direction member,

Now streaming on Netflix, the series marks the first posthumous appearance from the One Direction member who appears as a guest judge

Netflix’s “Building the Band” paid tribute to Liam Payne during episode 1. Payne, who died at age 31 in October 2024, posthumously appears as a judge on the reality competition series. At the start of the premiere episode, host AJ McLean acknowledged Payne’s death.