The former One Direction singer shot his scenes in August 2024—just weeks before his untimely death that October—making the upcoming premiere both a celebration of his talent and a poignant farewell for fans.
Payne’s family reviewed the footage and gave their blessing for it to air, allowing the show to contextualise his guest-judge role as a tribute rather than a post-humous gimmick. At 31, Payne had been embarking on a fresh creative chapter; now these segments stand as a time-capsule of the confidence and wit that first propelled him to global fame on The X Factor nearly 15 years ago.
The series itself leans into a “chemistry-first” format: solo singers audition from sound-proof booths, then assemble bands based purely on how their voices blend before they ever lay eyes on one another. Guiding (and occasionally grilling) them are lead mentor-judge Nicole Scherzinger, fellow guest judge Kelly Rowland, and host AJ McLean—each plucked from legendary groups the Pussycat Dolls, Destiny’s Child and the Backstreet Boys. Payne’s seat on the panel adds a fourth perspective drawn from One Direction’s meteoric rise.
Netflix is staggering the season across three weeks: the first four episodes debut July 9, episodes 5-7 arrive July 16, and the final trio lands July 23, giving viewers time to dissect every rehearsal mishap and backstage confession. Ten episodes in total promise a roller-coaster arc from blind auditions to fully-formed bands battling it out for a recording deal.
For Directioners—and really anyone who watched Payne grow from a shy Wolverhampton teen into a polished pop performer—his presence will likely overshadow the competition’s usual drama. Early clips show him offering kind-but-candid feedback and even slipping in self-deprecating humour, moments that are bound to resonate now with extra emotional weight. Expect social-media timelines to light up with tributes, reaction videos and, yes, a few tears.
Ultimately, Building the Band is poised to be more than just another talent show. It’s a rare opportunity for fans—and Payne’s colleagues on the panel—to celebrate a life defined by music, camaraderie and the transformative power of a well-chosen harmony. When the curtain lifts on July 9, the performances will matter, but the legacy will echo even louder.
