Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean Shares How Netflix’s ‘Building the Band’ Will Honor Late Judge Liam Payne

Backstreet Boys singer and Building the Band host AJ McLean recently shared how Netflix’s upcoming music competition will honor late judge Liam Payne.

“We’re dedicating the show to him and his family,” the boyband member, 47, told Parade on the iHeart Radio Music Awards red carpet on Monday, March 17. “And it’s a great way for fans to remember him as he truly was — just witty and fun and so outspoken and so supportive of the talent on this show.”

AJ continued, “It’s just very sad. It really is, but I know he’s safe where he is now and he’s no longer in pain. Hopefully, we can make him proud.”

Before his death in October 2024, Liam was set to be one of the judges on Building the Band, which will see contestants grouped with bandmates based on “compatibility, connection and, most importantly, merit” as they attempt to put on unforgettable performances, according to Netflix’s Tudum. The One Direction alum had already filmed some of the show alongside fellow judges Nicole Scherzinger and Kelly Rowland, but he also bonded with AJ, the “Everybody” singer revealed.

“Liam and I got very close. He was just a dream to work with. He was a light, so talented, so funny, so genuine, but I get it,” AJ, who has opened up about his addiction struggles in the past, told Parade. “I still have the last text conversation we had. I refused to delete it.”

AJ also said that he didn’t notice any signs of distress in Liam when they were working together.

“There [were] no signs of anything, again, you know, we as addicts can hide it pretty well, but everything seemed to be fine, but again, you don’t know,” he noted. “You don’t live with that person’s mind 24/7. You don’t know.”

Liam died at 31 years old when he fell off a balcony at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He fractured his skull and sustained “very serious injuries” from his fall, In Touch confirmed at the time.

A toxicology report later revealed that the former boyband member had cocaine, benzodiazepine and crack in his system at the time of his death, as well as “pink cocaine,” which is a mix of ecstasy, ketamine, caffeine and a psychedelic drug called 2-CB.

Five people were charged in connection to Liam’s death in December 2024, including hotel manager Glida Martin, receptionist Esteban Grassi, Liam’s friend Roger Nores, hotel employee Ezequiel Pereyra and waiter Braian Nahuel Paiz. Nores, Paiz and Pereyra denied that they had any involvement in the “Strip That Down” singer’s death.

The manslaughter charges against Nores, Martin and Grassi were dropped in early March. However, Paiz and Pereyra are still behind bars and awaiting trial after they were accused of selling drugs to Liam on the night of his death.

After Liam died, Building the Band “took a production pause” in order to “regroup and forge a path forward,” a source exclusively told In Touch on March 13. Now, the show has resumed filming, and everyone involved plans to honor Liam’s legacy.

“Even though Liam had filmed a substantial amount of material for the show, the decision was made shortly after his passing to continue the project, honor his legacy and amazing story as a One Direction member and bring this series to audiences,” the insider said. “Netflix is not going to hide Liam’s contribution to this project.”

The source added, “The idea is that Liam’s incredible rags-to-riches success story with 1D can still inspire a new generation of pop performers, and that’s all going to be tastefully acknowledged in the finished series. It’s just the right thing to do.”