Liam Payne’s family was reportedly caught off guard by the announcement of his posthumous appearance on Netflix’s upcoming talent competition, Building the Band. The former One Direction member, who tragically passed away at the age of 31 following a fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, is slated to appear as a guest judge on the show. He will join Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child, but despite this, his loved ones were unaware that the final decision to feature Liam had been made without their approval.
Sources close to the situation indicate that, although Netflix had been in discussions with Liam’s family about the project, they had not yet provided their final consent. The family was reportedly under the impression that the show would be a tribute to Liam, celebrating his legacy in a positive light. However, it seems they were still in the process of deciding how the series would unfold and did not anticipate that the project would proceed without their explicit approval.
The competition series, initially delayed, is now set to move forward, but Liam’s family remains in the dark about the full extent of their involvement. According to a source speaking to The Sun, the family was initially consulted, and they expected a collaborative process regarding how the show would portray Liam’s image. Yet, the sudden announcement caught them by surprise, and they were not prepared for this next step.
In a statement to The Mirror, Jeff Gaspin, the Vice President of the show, emphasized that they had been in regular contact with Liam’s family to discuss his posthumous role. However, no official details have been released about the final plans for Liam’s participation. This has added to the uncertainty surrounding the project’s release, with many questioning how the show will be presented in the wake of such a tragedy.
While those involved in the series are deeply saddened by Liam’s untimely passing, there is no rush to release the show. A source explained that everyone connected with the project is devastated by his loss, and there is no pressure to air the series before it is truly ready. The goal remains to honor Liam’s memory in the best way possible, highlighting the moments that made him special before his untimely death, as a way of paying tribute to his incredible talent.
