“I didn’t know whether to share this, but it felt weird when I’ve raved about Liam’s work and achievements for the last 15 years,” Gibbins wrote on her Instagram Stories on Tuesday, alongside the trailer for the Netflix singing competition, which finished filming before Payne’s tragic death in October. He was 31.
Added Gibbins: “Im heartbroken he never got to see how great he is in this show. He knew he had done a good job, we all told him this when we were at filming, but watching it back, wow!”
“You’re a star Liam, you always were and always will be,” Gibbins concluded. “There are a range of emotions I felt watching this, but one of the main ones is immeasurable pride, always. Miss you more every day.”
Per a Netflix synopsis, Building the Band “brings together talented singers for a truly unique competition show where building the perfect band is all about chemistry. The singers are in complete control as they seek to form their very own bands in individual ‘booths’ without ever seeing each other. All they have to go on is musical compatibility, connection, chemistry, and merit. What will happen when the bands finally meet, and looks, choreography, and style come into play?”
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The series will be hosted by one-fifth of the Backstreet Boys, AJ McLean, while former Pussycat Dolls singer (and newly minted Tony winner) Nicole Scherzinger will act as a mentor and judge. Payne and Kelly Rowland, of Destiny’s Child fame, will appear as guest judges.
Building the Band marks the final TV appearance from the former One Direction singer. Of his posthumous inclusion in the show, Netflix said in a release, “Liam Payne’s family reviewed the series and is supportive of his inclusion.”
Payne’s costar McLean fondly remembered their time working on the series together in an interview with Entertainment Weekly at the iHeartRadio Music Awards in March.
“This was one of the final things that Liam did before his tragic passing, and I’m hoping that the world embraces seeing him the way he really is and really was: just a light of joy and laughter and comedy and fun and sincerity,” the Backstreet Boys singer said of the late musician. “It was an honor getting to share a stage with him, to get to know him the way I did, and he will be missed, but I know he is in a much better place, and he’s much happier and safer where he is now, and he’s no longer in pain.”
Building the Band will be released in three batches of episodes on July 9, 16, and 23.
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