Acknowledging the loss right off the bat, the first episode opens with a touching tribute to Payne.

Building the Band is paying tribute to its late guest judge, Liam Payne. The premiere of Netflix’s reality singing competition opens with a short message from host AJ McLean honoring the One Direction singer,

Liam Payne’s memory lives on in “Building the Band.” The late One Direction singer makes his final television appearance in the new Netflix singing competition — and fans are tuning in to see his last moments on screen.