The sister of the late Liam Payne has made a heartfelt public appeal, urging fans to vote for the former One Direction star after he received a posthumous award nomination. Ruth Payne took to social media after iHeartMedia and FOX Entertainment announced the nominees for the 2026 iHeartRadio Music Awards on Tuesday.
A Sister's Emotional Appeal
Sharing an update on her Instagram Story, Ruth revealed she was having difficulty voting from outside the United States and asked followers to cast a ballot on her behalf. She wrote, 'I tried to check it out by voting but I'm not allowed to so if it is real, can you put a vote in from me please.'
Reflecting on the bittersweet moment, she added, 'Feels like a glimpse of my old life saying vote for Liam.' Ruth concluded her message with the poignant words, 'Ah mate, how did this happen.' Liam Payne tragically passed away in October 2024 after a fall in Buenos Aires.
Final Project Celebrated by Family
Liam is nominated in the Favorite On Screen category for his role as a mentor on the Netflix reality series 'Building The Band'. The show, which also featured AJ McLean, Nicole Scherzinger, and Kelly Rowland, aired in July 2025 and marked Payne's final television appearance. It was recorded in the months just before his death.
His parents, Geoff and Karen Payne, gave their full blessing for Netflix to air the series. According to fellow judge Nicole Scherzinger, they felt 'this is how we want everyone to remember Liam.' Scherzinger, who famously helped form One Direction on The X Factor, became emotional discussing the project, confirming that Liam's parents were present during filming and were 'overcome with emotion and pride.'
Nicole Scherzinger on Liam's Legacy
Scherzinger provided insight into Payne's dedication to the show, stating he worked overtime to guide the aspiring musicians. 'I am so thrilled for everyone to see Liam shine on this show,' she told Access Hollywood. 'I just know that he was in his happy place coming full circle, having started out in a similar situation on a talent reality show.'
She emphasised his commitment, noting, 'He put in the extra hours that he wanted to work with these bands even off screen.' Scherzinger described the experience of judging alongside him as 'crazy' and 'full circle,' recalling the day she first saw him audition for The X Factor. She praised his authentic insight, born from his own meteoric rise to fame with One Direction.
The decision to proceed with the show's release was handled with great sensitivity. Scherzinger explained, 'We ultimately left it into his family's hands and wanted to respect how they felt about everything.' With their support, 'Building The Band' now stands as a lasting tribute to Liam Payne's talent and generous spirit, culminating in this posthumous award nomination.
