Latest news with #OneDirection
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
AJ McLean has 'constant reminder' of Liam Payne
AJ McLean has a "constant reminder" of Liam Payne on his phone. The Backstreet Boys singer grew close to the late One Direction star - who died in October aged 31 after falling from his hotel balcony - when shooting Netflix series Building the Band, and he has kept a recording of their final conversation because he felt the chat perfectly reflected the kind and funny person he knew Liam to be. AJ - who hosts Building the Band - told People magazine: "I've not deleted it. I've kept it on my phone as a constant reminder of who he was. He was a very positive, uplifting person. "He had a real quick wit about him. I don't know if it was the British humour or just him as a person. I think that was one of the things that him and I really, really gelled immediately with. "Both of us were sarcastic and fun and funny, and always making jokes and pranks and just having fun with everybody on set. "But also as an artist, he was extremely talented. Not only as a singer-performer, but as a songwriter-producer, and he truly did light up the room when he'd walk on set." AJ, 47, had known Liam for a long time but they got particularly close while the Strip That Down singer was filming his stint as a guest judge on Building the Band. AJ said: "We've known each other over the years since One D started, but this was probably the most lengthy time that we've ever really been in the same room talking about everything from music to sobriety to life." The I'll Never Break Your Heart singer got the chance to hear Liam's final music, and he hopes the record gets released one day because he thinks fans will love it. He said: "He hit me up when we had a few days off from shooting and sent me what would've been his most recent solo album, just to ask my opinion on the music... And I thought it was an insane body of work. It was so good. I hope somewhere down the road, somehow people get to hear it, especially all the One D fans."
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Liam Payne Remembered: Emotional Netflix Debut Hits Fans Hard
Netflix's Building the Band premiered with an emotional tribute to late singer Liam Payne, leaving fans across the world in tears. Host AJ McLean choked up as he remembered Liam as a 'friend and brother,' honoring his legacy in music and mentorship. Filmed just weeks before Liam's tragic death at 31, the show features him as a guest judge offering heartfelt advice drawn from his One Direction journey. AJ declared the series a dedication to Liam's life, spirit, and family. Fans flooded the internet with emotional messages like 'Love you forever, Liam,' as the show now stands as his final on-screen appearance. Read More
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Liam Payne's team bring in pro- footballer turned top lawyer to run his music firms after tragic death at 31
LIAM Payne's team has bought in a pro-footballer turned top lawyer to run his music firms after his tragic death. The late One Director star, 31, died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires on October 16 last year. 4 4 4 Now, nine months on from his passing, Liam's management have brought in ex-Fulham player-turned-lawyer Udo Onwere to look after his music empire. Udo has been made a director of three of his firms, Hampton Music, Hampton Recording and Hampton Publishing. The former footballer is now a tax, estate and probate expert. His usual area is advising high profile sports stars especially footballers, according to his bio. Not only this, but Udo is a partner in a top London law firm. Updated documents on Companies House revealed the move today. Liam's rep has been approached by The Sun. Udo, who was born in Hammersmith, is 53-years-old. He has played for football clubs such as: Fulham, Lincoln City, Dover Athletic, Blackpool, Barnet, Aylesbury United, Hayes and Maidenhead United. After retiring as a player in 2000, Udo qualified as a lawyer. Liam Gallagher's heartwarming tribute during Oasis gig revealed - but did you spot it? As of November 2024, he was a Partner at City firm Bray & Krais, working in sports law. This comes after an executive for Netflix branded late pop star Liam's new documentary as "amazing". Building The Band's first four episodes drop today on the streamer. Showrunner Cat Lawson said: "The show is dedicated to Liam. We all loved him and he was amazing in the show." Liam Payne's sad death On October 16, 2024, Liam Payne sadly died, leaving family, friends and fans devastated. Here we take you through the biggest stories to unfold since his tragic passing: Liam's death is announced. The star's family release a heartbreaking statement. Liam's cause of death revealed after he fell from a balcony. The singer's One Direction bandmates pay tribute. Cheryl Cole describes 'earth shattering' agony following the death of son's father. Mourners gather at vigils around the world to honour the late star. Liam's girlfriend Kate Cassidy makes an emotional tribute. Liam's body is flown back to the UK with his family. Zayn Malik reschedules his tour dates due to 'unforeseen circumstances' following Liam's death. Liam's family announce his funeral. She added that Liam's death in October deeply affected the team, adding: "You get to know people really quickly [on these shows] and he was a glorious person." The show is a blend of The Voice and Love Is Blind, with singers auditioning in closed containers so they're selected on talent alone. Last month, The Sun revealed that the show kicked off with a special dedication to the memory of Liam and his family. Before the competition started, host AJ appeared on screen to pay tribute to the star. AJ says: 'When we came together to film Building The Band, we never imagined we'd soon be saying goodbye to our friend, Liam Payne. '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 is through that spirit that we dedicate this series to Liam and his family.' 4
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Liam Payne's team bring in pro- footballer turned top lawyer to run his music firms after tragic death at 31
LIAM Payne's team has bought in a pro-footballer turned top lawyer to run his music firms after his tragic death. The late One Director star, 31, in Buenos Aires on October 16 last year. Advertisement 4 Liam Payne sadly died in October 2024 Credit: Getty 4 He was just 31 years of age Credit: Getty 4 The former One Direction star's team is bringing in Udo Onwere, a pro- footballer turned top lawyer to run his music firms Credit: Bray & Krais Now, nine months on from his passing, Liam's management have brought in ex-Fulham player-turned-lawyer Udo Onwere to look after his music empire. Udo has been made a director of three of his firms, Hampton Music, Hampton Recording and Hampton Publishing. The former footballer is now a tax, estate and probate expert. His usual area is advising high profile sports stars especially footballers, according to his bio. Advertisement Read More about Liam Payne Not only this, but Udo is a partner in a top London law firm. Updated documents on Companies House revealed the move today. Liam's rep has been approached by The Sun. Udo, who was born in Hammersmith, is 53-years-old. Advertisement Most read in Celebrity Exclusive He has played for football clubs such as: After retiring as a player in 2000, Udo qualified as a lawyer. Liam Gallagher's heartwarming tribute during Oasis gig revealed - but did you spot it? As of November 2024, he was a Partner at City firm Bray & Krais, working in sports law. This comes after an executive for Netflix branded late pop star Liam's new documentary as "amazing". Advertisement Building The Band's first four episodes drop today on the streamer. Showrunner Cat Lawson said: "The show is dedicated to Liam. We all loved him and he was amazing in the show." Liam Payne's sad death On October 16, 2024, Liam Payne sadly died, leaving family, friends and fans devastated. Here we take you through the biggest stories to unfold since his tragic passing: The star's family The singer's One Direction bandmates pay tribute. Liam's girlfriend Liam's She added that The show is a blend of The Voice and Love Is Blind, with singers auditioning in closed containers so they're selected on talent alone. Advertisement Before the competition started, host AJ appeared on screen to pay tribute to the star. AJ says: 'When we came together to film '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. Advertisement 'It is through that spirit that we dedicate this series to Liam and his family.' 4 Liam was a judge in Building The Band - his final project before his death Credit: TNI Press
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Liam Payne shines amid criticism of Netflix's Building The Band reality show
Critics have savaged new Netflix series Building The Band, describing it as 'spectacularly misjudged,' 'painfully unfunny,' and 'a chaotic mess,' but many agreed on one thing: Liam Payne is 'the best thing' about it. The reality series, which landed on the streaming platform today (July 9), was filmed before Payne's shock death last October aged 31, when he fell from the third floor of a hotel balcony in Argentina. It features the former One Direction star in a key mentoring role. His contribution - kept in with the support of his family - has been widely praised for its warmth and authenticity, offering one of the few standout moments in a show many reviewers have otherwise called derivative. Hosted by Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean, with Nicole Scherzinger as lead judge and joined by Kelly Rowland and Payne, the 10-part competition sees aspiring singers attempt to build bands from scratch without input from music executives or producers. Most damning was The i Paper, which questioned the show's very existence in the wake of Payne's death. It raised concerns about how such talent formats affect young performers' mental health and whether enough protections are in place. 'Obviously, the flashy trailer displays no awareness of the grim irony that were it not for programmes just like this that promise desperate, hopeful singers a future of success and stardom, Payne might still be alive,' it writes. The Telegraph was also not won over, declaring the show 'an insincere singing contest' and criticising its format as a mashup of The X Factor, The Circle and Love Is Blind. Still, it highlighted Payne's appearance in episode seven as the emotional high point. 'He judges the acts with kindness and constructive criticism,' the review by the publication read, adding that an Australian contestant's heartfelt story about seeing One Direction as a child visibly moves him. 'It's right that the producers, backed by the family, decided to keep his contribution in. But it's also pretty sad.' The Guardian, meanwhile, offered a more reserved three-star verdict. While calling the series 'fine, watchable, well-crafted,' the paper criticised early episodes for feeling 'drawn out and repetitive.' It also questioned the concept's relevance in today's music scene. 'I did wonder why Building the Band would focus on groups in an era dominated by solo artists, but perhaps it's less about music and more about creating spectacle,' the reviewer wrote. The Standard's own Saskia Kemsley was the kindest, awarding the show four stars. Kemsley praised Building the Band for tapping into the legacy of early 2000s TV juggernauts like The X Factor, the show that helped launch Payne's career. 'For lifelong One Direction fans, Payne's presence is bittersweet – but he's a grounded, respectful presence here, and the series handles his legacy with care,' the review reads. She continued: 'Like clockwork, tensions flare. Those who falter often lash out, giving the show its requisite dose of drama. But Building the Band isn't just about meltdowns. It's also a showcase for powerful mentorship, and few moments are more affecting than Payne's.'
