Nicole Scherzinger is looking back with warmth and gratitude on her time spent filming Netflix’s Building the Band alongside the late Liam Payne.
The 47-year-old Pussycat Dolls singer served as a judge on the talent competition series, which also featured Liam Payne before his untimely death last year at the age of 31. Payne tragically passed away after falling from a hotel balcony while in Argentina, and the show now stands as one of his final projects.
Speaking to People, Nicole described the experience as deeply moving. “We got pretty close through this whole experience,” she shared. “Liam is such a kind and beautiful heart, and selfishly I’m glad that I got to spend my time with him.”
She continued, “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.”
Building the Band, hosted by Backstreet Boys icon AJ McLean and also featuring Kelly Rowland as a fellow judge, gave Nicole a new opportunity to mentor rising talents — a role she’s grown to love from her time on The X Factor UK and The Masked Singer.
“I jumped at the opportunity,” she said. “I’ve been doing this for quite a long time. I really pride myself in mentoring and helping out however I can, and one of my superpowers is trying to find the best in people and in blossoming artists.”
Reflecting on her experience with the Pussycat Dolls, Nicole emphasized the importance of humility and teamwork in any musical group. “I think not to have an ego and everyone plays a strong role in their own way,” she noted. “There’s different roles and it’s all for the betterment of the band.”
She also acknowledged the challenges young bands face. “When we were in this process, when the bands were forming, so many of the band members had unbelievable voices, really strong soloist voices, but not everyone could be a solo singer because it was a band. You had to know when you took your lead and you had to know when you could harmonize.”
As Building the Band continues to make waves on Netflix, Nicole’s heartfelt tribute to Liam Payne serves as a touching reminder of his lasting legacy in the music world.
