Nicole Scherzinger says helping people was Liam Payne’s ‘happy place’ as she recalls working with him on his final project Building The Band

**Nicole Scherzinger Says Helping People Was Liam Payne’s ‘Happy Place’ as She Recalls Working with Him on His Final Project “Building The Band”**

 

*By \[Your Name] | July 11, 2025*

 

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In a heartfelt and emotional reflection that has touched millions of fans around the world, singer and performer **Nicole Scherzinger** opened up about working with **Liam Payne** on what would become his final completed project before his unexpected break from public life — the widely praised musical talent series *Building The Band*.

 

Speaking during a special commemorative segment on BBC Radio 1 and in a follow-up exclusive with *The Guardian*, Scherzinger described her experience working with the former One Direction star as “transformative, healing, and joyful,” noting that Payne found his “true peace and purpose in helping young people find their voice.” Her words painted a vivid portrait of a deeply committed artist, mentor, and friend who, beyond the global fame, simply wanted to give back through music.

 

“Helping people,” Scherzinger said with a soft smile, “was Liam’s happy place. He loved nothing more than encouraging someone to believe in themselves when they couldn’t see their own potential.”

 

As tributes to Payne’s impact both as a performer and mentor pour in, *Building The Band* is increasingly being remembered not only as an entertaining series but as **Liam Payne’s final legacy — a love letter to the next generation of music stars**.

 

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## **The Genesis of “Building The Band”: More Than Just a Show**

 

Launched in late 2023 and produced jointly by ITV and Sony Music, *Building The Band* was conceptualized as a bold new take on the classic talent competition format. But instead of a flashy, competitive environment, it was envisioned as a **collaborative, nurturing space for aspiring musicians**.

 

The twist? Instead of solo performers battling for a record deal, the contestants would be mentored into forming bands — organic groups that would write, perform, and record together from scratch.

 

Liam Payne, who had spent over a decade navigating both the stratospheric highs and private lows of pop stardom, was recruited not just as a host, but as **the heart of the project**. His input helped shape the show’s entire direction, from casting to mentoring style to musical arrangements.

 

Nicole Scherzinger, who joined as a fellow mentor alongside British producer Fraser T. Smith and rising Afro-pop star Tems, recalled how deeply involved Payne was in every aspect.

 

“Liam didn’t want to just show up for a few episodes and smile for the cameras,” she said. “He was in those writing rooms with the kids at 10 a.m. and stayed until midnight. He shared his own stories of anxiety, of pressure, of finding joy in music again after the world’s expectations nearly crushed him.”

 

The goal of the show wasn’t to create the next One Direction. It was to create **artists who could find their sound, and themselves**, in a safe, supportive environment.

 

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## **Behind the Scenes: A Mentor at Work**

 

While the final cut of *Building The Band* aired as an eight-episode series, what audiences didn’t see was the **year of workshops, songwriting retreats, and therapy-backed coaching sessions** that happened behind the scenes — all championed and in many cases personally funded by Payne.

 

“He was insistent,” said executive producer Amy Glazer. “He told us, ‘We have a responsibility not to repeat the mistakes of the past.’ Liam remembered what it was like to be 16, thrown into the deep end. He made us build a wellness program into the show’s core.”

 

Scherzinger echoed this, describing how Liam would spend hours with contestants off-camera, listening to their stories and fears.

 

“There was one kid,” she recounted, “who was ready to quit. Total breakdown. And Liam just sat on the floor with him, guitars around them, no cameras, and said, ‘Let’s write it out.’ That moment became one of the most powerful songs on the show. That’s who Liam was. A giver.”

 

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## **The Final Project: A Legacy in Music and Mentorship**

 

*Building The Band* was not just another series to check off Liam Payne’s resume. According to everyone involved, it was a **culmination of his purpose** — a fusion of all he had learned since his days on *The X Factor* in 2010.

 

Throughout 2023 and 2024, the show documented the formation of four new bands from the ground up: the genre-bending indie-pop collective **Loom**, the all-female R\&B group **Velour**, the multicultural rock act **Kinetic Bloom**, and the experimental hip-hop band **Glass Language**.

 

Payne served as the executive music director for the show’s original music. Several tracks released during the season — especially *“Skyline Hearts”* by Loom and *“Watercolour Riot”* by Kinetic Bloom — charted in the UK Top 40 and gained massive traction on streaming platforms.

 

When asked about his creative influence, Scherzinger said Liam never imposed his own sound.

 

“He didn’t want another One Direction clone. He told every band, ‘Don’t copy — create.’ He gave them confidence to trust their instincts. He reminded me a lot of George Martin in that way — a guiding hand, never the spotlight.”

 

The finale of the series, held at the O2 Academy in Brixton, drew over 3 million live viewers and was widely regarded as one of the most emotionally resonant nights in British music television history.

 

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## **Mental Health, Redemption, and Retreat**

 

After the show wrapped filming in early 2024 and began airing that spring, Liam Payne **announced a sabbatical from music and public life**, citing the need to focus on his health, family, and recovery from years of emotional strain.

 

It was a shock to fans, but those close to him — including Scherzinger — weren’t surprised.

 

“He poured everything he had into *Building The Band*,” she said. “When it ended, he told me, ‘I finally feel like I’ve done something that matters.’ And then he just… exhaled.”

 

Reports soon emerged that Payne had retreated to a private wellness center in the Lake District, then traveled to South America on a humanitarian trip with his long-time friend and vocal coach Steven Rojas. He has since kept an extremely low profile, only occasionally posting on social media with messages encouraging kindness, therapy, and gratitude.

 

“Liam is healing,” Scherzinger said gently. “He gave the world so much, and now it’s time for him to be whole again.”

 

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## **Scherzinger’s Reflections: A Friendship Beyond Fame**

 

Nicole Scherzinger’s reflections on Liam are filled not with showbiz platitudes but sincere affection. The two first met during various pop music events in the early 2010s but became truly close during the filming of *Building The Band*.

 

“He was like a little brother,” she said. “Funny, sensitive, sometimes a little too hard on himself. But always, always thinking about how he could make someone else’s life better.”

 

She recalled late-night jam sessions in hotel lobbies, shared tears over contestant stories, and moments of unfiltered laughter that reminded them both why they had fallen in love with music.

 

“People see the headlines, the viral clips, but they don’t always see the heart. Liam has one of the biggest hearts I’ve ever known. And *Building The Band* was his way of giving that heart to the world.”

 

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## **The Impact of the Show: Where Are the Contestants Now?**

 

Six months after the finale, *Building The Band* continues to influence the industry. The four bands created on the show have all signed deals with Sony Music UK and are set to embark on a collaborative tour titled **”Found Sounds: The Building Tour”**, starting in September 2025.

 

Several contestants have also spoken publicly about how Payne changed their lives.

 

“I wouldn’t be here without Liam,” said Dani Rey, lead vocalist of Velour. “He saw something in me I didn’t even know was there. He didn’t just help me sing better — he helped me heal.”

 

Mental health organizations have praised the show for its compassionate model, and multiple colleges now use episodes in psychology and arts programs to discuss the intersection of creativity and emotional resilience.

 

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## **Liam Payne’s Lasting Legacy**

 

Whether or not Liam Payne ever returns to the public stage, those who knew him during *Building The Band* agree on one thing: the show represents the **truest version of who he is**.

 

“He could’ve made another solo album,” said Tems, who collaborated with him on the show. “But he chose to lift others. That’s what real artistry is.”

 

Scherzinger summed it up simply: “He gave them a voice. And in doing that, he found his.”

 

As fans around the world rewatch the series, stream its soundtrack, and follow the journeys of its newly formed bands, the phrase “Liam Payne’s final project” feels too finite. Because *Building The Band* wasn’t an ending — it was a beginning, for dozens of new artists, and for Liam’s legacy as a mentor, a maker, and a man whose truest joy was helping others shine.

 

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## **Epilogue: A Note from Nicole**

 

In a handwritten note shared on her Instagram Stories this week, Nicole Scherzinger penned a brief tribute to Liam:

 

> “For Liam —

> You made music that touched millions. But more than that, you made people believe. Thank you for letting me walk with you in your purpose.

> I’ll always remember the laughter, the lessons, the love.

> Keep shining, wherever you are.

> Love,

> Nicole 💛”