Netflix has confirmed that it will release a talent show judged by One Direction star Liam Payne later this year.
"Building the Band" was one of Payne's final projects before his passing at the age of 31 last October. In the series, he appeared as a judge alongside Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland and Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger.
The show, which has not yet announced a specific release date, is part of Netflix's lineup for 2025. Building the Band follows singers aiming to create their own group, with a format reminiscent of Love is Blind, keeping them separated in booths based on musical compatibility, connection, chemistry, and merit.
AJ Mclean from the Backstreet Boys will host the series, with Nicole Scherzinger as a mentor and judge, while Payne and Rowland will feature as guest judges.
Scherzinger, who previously judged Payne on The X Factor in 2010, was instrumental in forming the band One Direction, where he found fame alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson.
After Payne's tragic passing, attended by his son Bear's mother Cheryl and his former bandmates, investigations are ongoing in Argentina. Five individuals, including Payne's friend Roger Nores, hotel staff, and a receptionist, have been charged in connection with his death.
The investigation includes allegations of drug involvement, with hotel employees accused of supplying cocaine. A hearing to determine the circumstances surrounding Payne's death has been adjourned until a later date at the Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court.