Backstreet Boy's touching confession about his beloved friend from Building the Band
AJ McLean can't forget Liam Payne and he's proving it in the most touching way. The Backstreet Boys star has revealed that he keeps their last phone conversation on his phone, a file he considers precious and keeps as an "eternal reminder" of their friendship and collaboration on the Netflix show. Building the Band.
Liam Payne, the beloved former lead singer of One Direction, tragically died in October 2024, falling from his hotel balcony in Argentina. He was just 31 years old and his death shocked the music world and millions of fans worldwide. Just a few months earlier, he had completed filming his Building the Band, a reality music competition where he worked closely with AJ, Nicole Scherzinger and Kelly Rowland as a guest judge and mentor.
In an interview with People, AJ shared his excitement: “I haven’t deleted it. I keep it on my phone as a constant reminder of who he was. Liam was an incredibly positive person, with great energy. He had the quickest, sharpest sense of humor – maybe it was the British style, maybe it was just him. From the very first moment we hit it off incredibly well. We were both sarcastic, laughing non-stop, cracking jokes and pranks on set. He was the light of every room he walked into.”
Read also: Liam Payne: The unreleased songs AJ McLean listened to before his death
The series, which premiered this week on Netflix, begins with a tribute to Liam. AJ, visibly moved, tells the camera: “When we started filming Building the Band, we never imagined that the time would come to say goodbye to Liam. Through the episodes we see his love for music and his commitment to helping young artists find their voice. We dedicated this series to Liam and his family.”
Netflix producers reached out to Liam's family before airing the show and got their approval, wanting to honor his legacy. On the show, Liam appears in several episodes as a guest judge, giving advice and encouraging contestants with his signature humor and positive vibe.
On TikTok and Twitter, fans couldn't hide their emotions. "Seeing Liam mentoring young singers is heartbreaking but beautiful," one user wrote. Another added: "The last time we heard Liam's voice. This show is the best tribute."
AJ emphasized that their collaboration was genuine and full of joy. The two became fast friends, exchanging jokes and working closely to support his young talented artists. Building the BandLiam had stated in a previous interview how excited he was to return to television in a role that made him feel "more useful than ever."
Read also: Liam Payne – “Building the Band”: Netflix dedicates series to One Direction star
Liam's death left a huge void, not only in the music industry but also in the hearts of his collaborators. AJ's decision to keep the audio of their last conversation is a touching symbol of that friendship and a reminder that even in the most glamorous careers, it's the human connections that last.
His first season Building the Band is available on Netflix with four episodes, and fans are eagerly awaiting the next ones. Through the show, Liam Payne's presence continues to inspire and encourage a new generation of musicians, honoring his memory in the most fitting way.
