AJ McLean Teases ‘Constructing the Band’ First Look After Liam Payne’s Loss of life

Followers lastly obtained a primary glimpse at Netflix’s upcoming collection, Constructing the Band.

AJ McLean unveiled a primary have a look at the present on Saturday, Could 31, at Netflix’s Tudum reside occasion. The present marks Liam Payne‘s ultimate challenge earlier than his sudden death in October 2024 at age 31.

Teasing the collection, McLean, who is ready to host the present, mentioned it is “in contrast to something you might have ever seen earlier than — belief me.”

The Backstreet Boys member, 47, then added: “Right this moment’s most gifted singers on the earth will audition for one another and select their very own bandmates earlier than ever seeing them. Our decide and mentor, Nicole Scherzinger, and visitor judges Kelly Rowland and the late Liam Payne, are from a number of the greatest bands of all time. This present is all about one phrase: chemistry. And consider me: in a band, you really want some good chemistry.”

Within the sneak peek, the singers arrive on the studio and head into their respective cubicles, the place they get an opportunity to satisfy different artists and listen to their respective music kinds. Proper off the bat, they get speaking concerning the significance of chemistry and the issue of discovering bandmates with out seeing one another first.

“I’ve a selected sort of group in my head, particularly a woman group,” one lady says.

As they sit within the sales space and pay attention to one another’s performances, the singers are moved to tears and chills by one another’s voices. “I wanna see these individuals so unhealthy,” one man says.

Within the ultimate moments of the teaser, the singers click on a button — much like the fashion of The Voice — in the event that they’re concerned about teaming up with the singers.

Constructing the Band was introduced in August 2024, and filming kicked off that summer season.

“The singers are in full management as they search to type their very personal bands in particular person ‘cubicles’ with out ever seeing one another. All they should go on is musical compatibility, connection, chemistry and benefit,” a synopsis for the present reads. “What is going to occur when the bands lastly meet, and appears, choreography, and magnificence come into play? With unimaginable performances, compelling drama, and one huge purpose — to search out the following nice music band — the stage is ready for an unforgettable expertise.”

Nonetheless, only a few months later after filming wrapped, Payne tragically died in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The previous One Direction star fell from a balcony at his lodge. It was later confirmed he died of “polytrauma,” which implies a number of accidents that contain a number of organs or techniques, in response to the National Library of Medicine.

By no means miss a narrative — join PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to remain up-to-date on the most effective of what PEOPLE has to supply​​, from celeb information to forcing human curiosity tales. 

Following his demise, a supply instructed PEOPLE that the collection’ producers had been shocked and saddened by the lack of Payne. On Could 14, 2025, Netflix confirmed the present will air as deliberate, and have Payne posthumously.

PEOPLE’s supply indicated that the “Strip That Down” singer had no behavioral points throughout filming, and that there have been zero points on set with the star. In truth, the supply added that Payne was so fulfilled by his expertise on Constructing the Band that he needed to proceed working with the bands after manufacturing ended.

McLean echoed those sentiments during a panel at 90s Con in Hartford, Conn. in March 2025.

“The very final thing Liam did was work on this superb TV present for Netflix known as Constructing the Band, which might be out this summer season. And we’re dedicating the present to him,” McLean mentioned on the time. “I obtained to essentially know him on a private degree and we had a whole lot of very related life experiences, each in sobriety and out of sobriety.”

He additionally paid tribute to Payne in a tribute following his demise, revealing that they “turned very shut virtually instantly and shared so many tales , laughs, and life experiences.”

“You had been such a light-weight an unimaginable particular person to be within the presence of every day whereas we labored collectively! I can’t consider you might be gone,” McLean added.