What Liam Payne Leaves Behind

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Fifteen years ago, One Direction didn’t emerge victorious on X Factor. It can be easy to overlook this fact. Liam Payne, a member of the band, points out to the third-place contestants of Building the Band (formerly known as Soulidified), Iconyx, that they too were winners, even though they didn’t win the competition.

In Netflix’s series “Building the Band,” Payne frequently references his past with One Direction, which adds relevance and poignancy. He represents one of the remaining links to a specific period marked by producer-controlled band formation. The members of One Direction were selected individually and later combined into a group by judges Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger (the details are quite intricate). The goal of “Building the Band” is to give up control over which individuals form bands, allowing them to choose their own future group. The contestants in this show used a method similar to “Love is Blind,” where they heard each other’s voices before deciding who they wanted to collaborate with freely. As a judge on “Building the Band,” Payne emphasized the importance of unity and loyalty, often recognizing when the bands seemed genuinely supportive of one another. He can be touching, as seen when he jumps up to hug a contestant’s mother, and humorous, with his dry British humor providing a refreshing twist in an otherwise intense show. Payne demonstrates expertise and quickly builds rapport with the contestants.

While being in One Direction didn’t directly cause Payne’s death, he acknowledged that the pressures of the band’s lifestyle contributed to his substance abuse issues. On the Diary of a CEO podcast in 2021, he said, “We were kept in our rooms and the minibar was always there.” Building the Band, a reality competition show, didn’t explicitly discuss the potential dangers of the industry, but it did give contestants some control over their collaborations. The show had a gentle atmosphere, implying that the bands wanted to work together and care for each other. However, drama was minimal and not a main appeal, instead being distracting and out of place. After Payne’s death, there’s a sense that the industry could be more nurturing and supportive.

Among all aspects, what’s most captivating when watching Payne in Building the Band is the evident joy he exudes. He dances and grooves during band performances. He interacts playfully with fellow judge Scherzinger, often seen perched on her arm rest whenever they and third judge Kelly Rowland need to decide who advances. In the final episode, Payne expresses his dislike for the decision-making part, a sentiment that comes from experience, to which Scherzinger humorously responds, “we’ll blame you.” Last week, Scherzinger told Seth Meyers that they were incredibly proud of him and had a great time working on the show together. They admired his beautiful, kind spirit.

The sadness surrounding Payne’s death stemmed from the complex legacy he left behind – he was reportedly both a victim and perpetrator of harmful behaviors. In such situations, distinguishing the art from the artist can be challenging. However, Building the Band offers a graceful swan song because it brings Payne back to the art he cherished. On that stage, he remains as much Payno as ever. As the season concludes, a clip is shown of him joining the audience for a performance of “What Makes You Beautiful.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=edWfUP9Cb_Y

It’s tough not to envision a future for Payne within this series, given his profound portrayal – one where he strives to improve a system he initially found himself lost and unsure in. His performance is deeply moving, considering the immense potential he possesses amidst his struggles. As a judge, Payne may not claim to know it all, but he certainly understands this world – the realm of pop music, band dynamics, whether or not a group should learn to dance. The episodes he graced with his presence showcase an abundance of charisma, concern, and the feeling that he recognized his own worth.

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2025-07-23 20:54