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‘Building the Band’ Dedicates Debut Series to Liam Payne in Season Premiere

'Building the Band' premiered on Netflix on July 9 with host AJ McLean paying tribute to Liam Payne by dedicating the season to the late guest host.

But while the cast, crew, and contestants revel in the release, they also feel the noticeable absence of guest host Liam Payne, who died in October 2024, months after filming began. “Liam is a guest judge in later episodes, and through his presence, we see his deep love for music and his unwavering commitment to helping others find their voice. Earlier this year, McLean told Rolling Stone that he “immediately connected” with Payne on “not only a music level but a human level.” They spent hours together for weeks at a time while filming the show.

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