LOS ANGELES (AP) — Netflix's new reality show, “Building the Band,” unexpectedly became Liam Payne's last major appearance, moments which the show's hosts affirm are cherished by contestants and viewers alike. The show features Payne as a guest judge, delivering candid yet humorous advice to aspiring bands striving for success similar to his achievements with the groundbreaking boy band, One Direction. Tragically, Payne died in October after falling from a hotel balcony in Argentina, shortly after the show's production was completed.

“Getting to see the real, true him that the world gets to remember him for, which you’ll see on this show, is just a beautiful thing,” noted AJ McLean from the Backstreet Boys, who serves as the host of the series.

“Building the Band” deviates from traditional music competition formats by bringing together 50 emerging artists tasked with auditioning for each other and forming groups based solely on audio performances. A unique twist is that contestants are unable to see one another. The inaugural batch of episodes premiered in early July, with the final episodes, including the highly anticipated finale, set to release on Wednesday. The competition follows six bands developing their sound and performances, leading to one band walking away with a grand prize of $500,000.

Hosted by McLean, the show includes Nicole Scherzinger, frontwoman of the Pussycat Dolls and a newly minted Tony winner, mentoring the participants, while Kelly Rowland from Destiny’s Child serves as a guest judge alongside Payne.

The series began with a dedication to Payne and his family, where McLean expressed disbelief that they would soon be saying goodbye to their friend during filming. Payne first appears in the seventh episode during the showcase round, where bands perform in front of a live audience and judges just a week after their formation.

During the episode, Payne humorously reflected on his days in One Direction while critiquing the boy band Midnight ’til Morning, whose members had expressed reservations about performing dance moves. Band member Mason Watts shared that his family had won tickets to see One Direction live when he was 11, triggering applause in the audience and a heartfelt reaction from Payne. “Ever since that moment, I wanted to be in a group,” said Watts, originally from Australia. “It’s kind of a full-circle moment to be here with a group and performing in front of you. So, thank you, man.”

Landon Boyce, a member of Soulidified, another show band, stated that Payne made a considerable impact, embodying the type of performer he aspires to be. “I remember Liam just said, ‘Have fun,’” Boyce recounted. “He just told us, ‘I wish One Direction kind of, like, did what you guys were doing.’ And I kind of just took that as like, let’s just have fun and dance.”

Payne was seen enthusiastic during Soulidified’s performance of “Sure Thing” by Miguel, and he expressed a willingness to join their band. He commended their ability to command the stage and acknowledged the distinctive nature of their group, noting that, “I wouldn’t put you guys together, but the result was amazing.”

This show creatively combines elements from successful series such as “Love is Blind” and music competitions like “The Voice.” Contestants interact only through audio while sequestered in pods, allowing them to express interest by hitting a button during performances and communicating via voice chats to gauge compatibility.

The initial group of 50 contestants was narrowed down to 22, which comprises two boy bands, three girl bands, and one mixed-gender group. The contestants selected their bandmates autonomously, with no guidance from the host or judges. Aaliyah Rose Larsen from the mixed-gender band SZN4 expressed, “It formed in the most real, raw, authentic way. I think we would have re-found each other in a million other lifetimes.”

The judges maintain that the unconventional composition of the bands is pivotal, given the current dynamics of the music industry. McLean remarked on the transformative nature of the show, emphasizing how it empowers contestants to create their groups based on raw talent and chemistry without physical appearance influencing their choices.

An audience vote determines which bands progress after each live performance, with the first batch concluding on a cliffhanger featuring Midnight ’til Morning and girl group Siren Society in the bottom two. Upcoming episodes will reveal which band is eliminated.

Kelly Rowland emphasized Payne's commitment, stating he remained engaged with the bands' progress post-filming and even expressed a desire to mentor them. “He was just honest,” she said, recalling Payne’s keen observations and contributions throughout the process. Nori Moore from 3Quency shared that Payne’s guidance on owning the stage was pivotal for her growth. Meanwhile, Larsen noted that viewers could see Payne’s dedication to the show and how proud he was of the contestants.