The sister of late singer Liam Payne is sharing her grief as the release of her brother’s final television project draws near.
Payne will appear as a celebrity judge on Netflix’s “Building the Band,” set for release July 9. The former One Direction member is joined on the musical competition series by fellow pop stars Kelly Rowland and Nicole Scherzinger, while AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys serves as the show’s host.
On Wednesday, Payne’s sister Ruth Gibbins admitted she was “heartbroken” after viewing the “Building the Band” trailer.
“I didn’t know whether to share this, but it felt weird when I’ve raved about Liam’s work and achievements for the last 15 years,” she wrote on her Instagram Stories. “Im heartbroken he never got to see how great he is in this show. He knew he had done a good job, we all told him this when we were at filming, but watching it back, wow!”
Watch the trailer for Netflix’s “Building the Band” below.
She went on to note: “You’re a star Liam, you always were and always will be. There are a range of emotions I felt watching this, but one of the main ones is immeasurable pride, always. Miss you more every day.”
Netflix had initially been unsure of how to proceed with the release of “Building the Band,” which was filmed shortly before Payne’s death last year at age 31. In a press release sent to HuffPost, the streaming network said Payne’s family had “reviewed the series and is supportive of his inclusion.”
Payne died Oct. 16 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
A toxicology report later concluded that the singer had multiple substances in his system at the time of his death, including cocaine, crack cocaine and benzodiazepines.
The report also indicated the presence of “pink cocaine,” which refers to a cocktail of drugs that can include substances like ketamine, MDMA, methamphetamine and sometimes caffeine or opioids.
“Building the Band” will mark an on-screen reunion between Payne and Scherzinger, who is credited alongside record executive and TV personality Simon Cowell with the formation of One Direction in 2010.
Scherzinger, who earlier this month nabbed a Tony Award for her performance in Broadway’s “Sunset Boulevard,” had reportedly been exchanging texts with Payne on the morning of his death.
Read the full article here
