Nicole Scherzinger Reflects on Working with Liam Payne in ‘Building The Band’

Nicole Scherzinger has made a ‘selfish’ admission about her time working with Liam Payne after the pair both starred on the new Netflix show, Building The Band. 

Liam, who features as a guest judge on the talent-based reality TV series, tragically died at the aged of 31 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires last October.

And reflecting on her time working with the late singer, the Pussycat Dolls star admitted : ‘We got pretty close through this whole experience.’

She told People: ‘Liam is such a kind and beautiful heart, and selfishly I’m glad that I got to spend my time with him. I’m really happy that the world gets to see another one of his gifts, which is helping these blossoming artists, these bands.

‘He was amazing. I was really impressed with him. He was just so giving and generous, even when the cameras weren’t rolling, spending time with all the fans and singing to them. It was lovely to watch him in his element.’

Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean hosts the programme, with Nicole as the main mentor and judge, being joined by Liam and Kelly Rowland throughout the process.

Nicole Scherzinger has made a ‘selfish’ admission about Liam Payne as she reminisced on working with him on his final project Building The Band (pictured with Liam and Kelly Rowland)

Liam, who features as a guest judge on the talent-based reality TV series , tragically died at the aged of 31 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires last October

Nicole also recalled the joy that helping people brought to Liam in an interview with Billboard. 

The star said it was ‘beautiful’ to be able to see Liam ‘come full circle’ after coming third on the X Factor in 2010 with One Direction. 

She said: ‘I saw the joy it brought to Liam. I felt that this was his happy place. Like myself, AJ and Kelly, we’ve lived this. We’ve learned it.’ 

Nicole continued: ‘To be able to bestow any inspiration and knowledge and wisdom and experience on any of these contestants and these bands, it brought us all joy. Particularly Liam. 

‘I felt this really inspired him and this was his happy place. This was his happy place because Liam was such a beautiful heart, and he loved to give back. He loved to help.’

Building The Band viewers were moved to tears just five minutes into the first episode after Netflix paid a bittersweet tribute to Liam.

Stripped across 10 episodes, fans wondered how the show would address the unexpected death of the singer – especially after reports that there were plans to cut down Liam’s presence in the show. 

However, at the start of the episode, AJ addressed the audience with a powerful message, moving viewers to tears. 

And reflecting on her time working with the late singer, the Pussycat Dolls star admitted : ‘We got pretty close through this whole experience’

The star said it was ‘beautiful’ to be able to see Liam ‘come full circle’ after coming third on the X Factor in 2010 with One Direction  

At the start of the first episode, host Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean addressed the audience with a powerful message, moving viewers to tears

‘When we came together to film building the band we never imagined we’d soon be saying goodbye to our friend Liam Payne,’ he began as it faded out to a series of images and clips of the singer on the show.

He continued: ‘Liam is a guest judge in later episodes, and through his presence, we see his deep love for music and his unwavering commitment to helping others find their voice. It’s through that spirit that we dedicate this series to Liam and his family.’

During an interview with the Hollywood Reporter last month, AJ described the new series as ‘unlike any other show out there’. 

The American singer then spoke about how he felt looking back on the show since Liam’s death. 

He explained: ‘It was a little hard to watch because I hadn’t seen it until now. I just know that the way he is being remembered and honoured is hopefully done as beautiful as we see it.

‘And we got the okay from his family and I hope that the fans get to remember him the way that he was which is just a light, a genuine spirit.

‘He wore his heart on his sleeve, he’s stupidly talented, funny as all hell, had a great sense of humour and just a joy to work with. This is just a great, positive way for the world to remember him.’

Building The Band is available to stream exclusively on Netflix now.