Liam Payne's Final Performance: One Direction Member Lives On With Netflix's 'Building the Band'

Liam Payne's final TV appearance features in Netflix's Building the Band, which premiered on 9 July 2025 and was filmed before his death in October 2024. The music competition sees Payne mentoring aspiring artists in his last on-screen role, drawing renewed attention during the One Direction anniversary.

Hosted by AJ McLean and Kelly Rowland, the show follows 50 contestants forming bands through blind audio auditions, with a £390,000 ($528,229) prize at stake. The finale airs on 23 July 2025.

Liam Payne's Last Performance: Emotional Moments from 'Building the Band'

In episode 7, Payne appears as a guest mentor, offering feedback and encouragement to contestants during a critical showcase round. Viewers see a relaxed and joyful Payne dancing, laughing and offering performance tips.

One viral and unforgettable moment captures him singing along to One Direction's 'What Makes You Beautiful' with contestants and audience members. Dressed in a suit and smiling throughout, Payne danced and sang with the crowd, saying: 'That was so fun,' according to Rolling Stone, which highlighted the performance as a poignant reminder of his stage presence.

One of the standout interactions comes from a boy band named Midnight 'til Morning. Contestant Mason revealed that One Direction's 2012 performance at Madison Square Garden had inspired his dream of joining a band.

Payne responded warmly: 'I feel all warm,' visibly touched by the tribute, as reported by Entertainment Weekly. He praised the band's subtle yet commanding stage presence and encouraged them to keep their performance organic. 'Subtle goes a long way,' he told the group, highlighting the importance of chemistry over choreography.

Netflix Cast Pays Tribute to Liam Payne on 'Building the Band'

AJ McLean opened the episode with a heartfelt tribute to the late performer, thanking the Payne family for allowing the footage to air. He called seeing Payne's authentic passion on screen 'just a beautiful thing', as reported by the Associated Press.

Nicole Scherzinger, who also appears in the series as a guest mentor, described the season as 'bittersweet' and reflected that 'we're grateful his family let this be shared. He was magic in that room,' according to People.

Kelly Rowland revealed that Payne stayed in contact with several of the contestants after filming, showing how invested he was in their growth, as reported by the Associated Press.

Payne's Family and Fans React to Netflix Appearance

Nicola Payne, Liam's sister, shared an emotional tribute on the day of the show's release. She wrote on social media that she was proud to see her brother shine as a mentor and role model.

Clips of Liam singing and interacting with contestants quickly went viral. The Netflix series has triggered a resurgence in One Direction streams across Spotify and Apple Music, especially ahead of the band's upcoming anniversary.

'Building the Band' Finale Airs 23 July Featuring Liam Payne's Legacy

Building the Band concludes its first season with the final episode airing on 23 July. Liam Payne's performance and mentorship remain central to the series' central impact, offering viewers one last look at the beloved artist whose legacy continues to shape pop culture long after his death.