Share and Follow
The reviews are in for Netflix’s latest reality TV show, Building The Band. The series is a musical competition, where participants put themselves together into a band, but with a catch—they do it all without ever seeing each other, relying exclusively on their listening skills.
The ten-episode series seems to have gotten a mixed reception from critics. While some applauded the show’s inventive format, others pointed to its inclusion of late singer Liam Payne as in poor taste.
Critics Bashed The Show For Still Including Liam
The show’s judges include some major musical legends: Nicole Scherzinger, Kelly Rowland, and Liam Payne, the last of whom passed away just last year after a fatal fall from a hotel balcony. Critics of Building The Band cited how strange it was for the show to be promoting the life of a struggling artist when, by many accounts, this same kind of stress is what contributed to Liam’s own mental decline and eventual death.
One news outlet, The i Paper, wrote off the show as lacking awareness. The article discusses how this kind of competition only stands to promote the vicious cycle that Liam found himself in after joining One Direction following his X Factor appearance:
Obviously, the flashy trailer displays no awareness of the grim irony that were it not for programmes just like this that promise desperate, hopeful singers a future of success and stardom, Payne might still be alive.
The article wasn’t the only one calling the show out, noting that its overall vibe felt artificial and insincere.
Related
From The Arrest Of Diddy To The Death Of Liam Payne, What Was the Biggest Story Of The Year?
2024 will go down in history as a chaotic year for pop culture and reality TV lovers. On the plus side, we had the triumphant comeback of Dancing With The Stars, found a new star to root for in Jenn Tran and saw the rebrand of some favorite shows. On a more somber note, the arrest of Diddy and the death of Liam Payne made for a more difficult news year. In your opinion, what has been the biggest entertainment story of the year?
Some Thought Liam Was The Bright Spot Of The Show
There were others, however, with a different opinion—by contrast, many found that it was Liam himself who was the highlight of the show. In what would go on to be his last TV project before his passing, Liam can be seen giving feedback to contestants with grace, as he was once, quite literally, in their seats.
An article from The Telegraph pointed out how some of Liam’s best moments were still included in the final episode footage:
He judges the acts with kindness and constructive criticism. It’s right that the producers, backed by the family, decided to keep his contribution in. But it’s also pretty sad.
“For lifelong One Direction fans, Payne’s presence is bittersweet – but he’s a grounded, respectful presence here, and the series handles his legacy with care,” shared The Standard. “Like clockwork, tensions flare. Those who falter often lash out, giving the show its requisite dose of drama. But Building the Band isn’t just about meltdowns. It’s also a showcase for powerful mentorship, and few moments are more affecting than Payne’s,” the piece added.
With this more compassionate take, perhaps it is a fitting last TV appearance for the late pop star. In total, the singing competition brings together 50 hopefuls to make it into the final group. It was even rumored that Liam enjoyed his experience so much that he remained in contact with some of the band members even after filming concluded. Episodes of Building The Band are available to stream now on Netflix.
- Network
-
Netflix
- Cast
-
Nicole Scherzinger, Kelly Rowland, Liam Payne, AJ McLean
- Genre
-
Reality TV
- Premiere Date
-
July 9, 2025
Building The Band is a music competition reality series that takes a unique approach to forming the next big pop group. Premiering July 9, 2025, on Netflix, the show begins with 50 solo singers auditioning in blind, isolated pods, where they can only hear each other’s voices. Contestants swipe “like” or “pass” as they listen, focusing purely on vocal chemistry rather than looks or personality. From there, selected musicians join forces to form six separate bands, moving through a series of challenges including live performances, songwriting workshops, and branding exercises. The show emphasizes not just vocal talent but also teamwork, versatility, and group cohesion, with the goal of launching a real, fully developed music act by the end of the season.
Guiding the competition is a high-profile judging panel made up of music industry veterans: Nicole Scherzinger, Kelly Rowland, and the late Liam Payne, with hosting duties handled by AJ McLean. Each judge brings personal experience from global groups—Scherzinger from The Pussycat Dolls, Rowland from Destiny’s Child, and Payne from One Direction—offering both critique and hands-on mentorship to the contestants. Their feedback isn’t limited to vocal performance; they also focus on interpersonal dynamics, branding, and long-term career viability. Liam Payne’s participation adds an emotional layer to the series, as Building The Band marks his final project before his passing in 2024. Throughout the show, viewers witness not just the formation of new bands but also honest, often vulnerable conversations about fame, pressure, and what it takes to truly succeed as a collective rather than as a solo act.
