AJ McLean Opens Up About Friendship with Liam Payne on Building the Band

AJ McLean, from the Backstreet Boys, shared a special bond with the late Liam Payne while filming the Netflix competition series ‘Building the Band.’ McLean, who worked alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Kelly Rowland, revealed how he and Payne connected deeply over shared experiences of sobriety and life challenges. Despite their age difference, the two musicians discovered they had parallel life paths and similar senses of humor. McLean recalls spending long hours together and seeing Payne’s warmth and authenticity, noting he was a joy to be around. The show features Payne in later episodes, and McLean hopes viewers will see the singer at his best. Tragically, Payne passed away after a fall from a hotel balcony in October 2024, at the age of 31, leaving behind his son, Bear. McLean reflects on how he and his co-stars processed the grief of his passing and emphasizes Payne’s kindness, calling him a ‘freaking legend.’ The Netflix series, which premieres on July 9, is dedicated to Payne and aims to showcase his true character.