Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean shared a heartfelt tribute dedicated to Liam Payne during the premiere episode of Netflix’s new singing competition, which marks the late One Direction singer’s last TV appearance. The singer signed on for the Netflix talent show, Building The Band, just two months before his death in October 2024, aged 31.

And in the opening moments of the competition series’ first episode, AJ McLean — who hosts Building the Band — paid tribute to his late friend. “When we came together to film Building the Band, we never imagined we’d soon be saying goodbye to our friend Liam Payne,” the Backstreet Boys member tells the camera.

The new Netflix competition series “Building the Band” is dedicated to the guest host Liam Payne, who died in October. In the premiere episode of the series, host AJ McLean honors the One Direction member,