On July 23, 2025, Netflix's new music competition, Building the Band, ended its first season. It crowned a new singing group and gave reality music TV a new look. The show, which started on July 9, was different from past singing competitions because candidates had to establish bands based only on how well they sang together and how well they got along, without ever meeting.
Fifty artists auditioned for this one-of-a-kind show, which some have called a mix of Love is Blind and American Idol. They chose their bandmates based entirely on music. Six bands were made, each with three to five members. They then moved into shared living spaces to practice and get ready for live shows.
Getting to Know the Unique Format of "Building the Band"
Building the Band was different from previous music reality shows since it prioritized musical connection first instead of focusing on solo musicians or made-up groupings. In the first stage, 50 vocalists sang in separate sound booths where they could hear each other but not see each other. Contestants would "like" singers they had a connection with, and only those who got at least five likes would not be kicked out right away.
This technique made people put vocal blending, musical style, and personality compatibility ahead of looks. When the six bands got together for the first time, there were moments of surprise and instant camaraderie. The show then followed their journey as they lived and practiced together, confronting problems that put their group unity to the test.
@MusicMavenX: Building the Band isn't just another singing event; it's a master class in chemistry, talent, and the raw power of art when people work together. This is really new!
Who was the winner of "Building the Band" Season 1? The Journey of 3Quency to Success
3Quency, a girl group made up of Brianna Mazzola, Nori Royale, and Wennely Quezada, won Building the Band Season 1. After a great final performance, they won the title and $500,000. 3Quency's path was distinguished by steady progress and hard work.
Even though they got some negative comments on social media at first for not adding a fourth member, Bri Gilyard, the group said it was a creative decision made by all of them. People often thought they were the underdogs because they weren't always the first squad to be proclaimed as safe. But their strict practice routine, which included singing while running and practicing for 24 hours straight, showed how committed they were.
In the end, 3Quency sang Chlöe's "Have Mercy" and Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby." The judges were impressed with their singing, dancing, and emotional performance. Judge Nicole Scherzinger said they had grown and called them "committed and inspiring." Liam Payne also said that they had a lot of chemistry. Their win showed how strong and dedicated they were.
@PopCulturePulse: The story of 3Quency on "Building the Band" showed how strong and dedicated they were. They deserved to win! #3Quency
3Quency's Road to Victory: Getting Past Problems and Backlash
3Quency's journey had its ups and downs. Some people didn't like that they stayed a three-piece group, like Destiny's Child or TLC, and thought that Bri Gilyard should have been the fourth singer. Nori Royale, in particular, got a lot of bad comments online.
The group members have made it clear, nevertheless, that the decision was made by everyone and was based on their shared vision for a dance-focused trio. They stressed that what spectators witnessed was not the same as what they observed behind the scenes, where all the candidates got along much better. After winning, 3Quency plans to utilize their prize money to further their music career by working on their pop and R&B sound, writing their own songs, and maybe even going on tour.
What are they doing now? News about all the "Building the Band" contestants
3Quency won the top prize, but the other five bands also made a big impression and are still making music.
SZN4: The Fans' Favorite Who Won Their Hearts
Aaliyah Rose, Cameron Goode, Katie Roeder, and Donzell Taggart made comprised SZN4, the mixed-gender ensemble that came in second. People loved them because they had strong voices and a tone that worked well together. Kelly Rowland even predicted that they would win early on because their performances of "Somebody That I Used to Know" and "Believer" were so good.
Even though they didn't win, SZN4 said that the experience made them want to keep making music and that it was only the beginning. They have kept making music together.
@ConcertCraver: I'm still thinking about SZN4's "Believer" performance. "Building the Band" offered us memories that will stay with us forever. Famous!
Boy Bands on the Rise: Iconyx & Midnight 'Til Morning
Originally called Soulidified, Iconyx was a boy band made up of Bradley Rittmann, Landon Boyce, Malik Heard, and Shade Jenifer. They came in third place in the competition. The group rapidly became close and wowed the judges with their mix and stage presence, especially when they sang Bruno Mars' "Finesse." They are all working on new music together and are ready for possible tours, even if they are all doing their own things.
Conor Smith, Mason Watts, Shane Appell, and Zach Newbould made up Midnight 'Til Morning. They came in last position several times, but they kept going. They sang songs like "Higher Power" by Coldplay and "Ocean Eyes" by Billie Eilish. Even though there was turbulence at first, the group has kept together and is set to release an album.
What happened next with Siren Society and Sweet Seduction?
Autumn Stallia, Erica Padilla, Jenna Dave, and Noriella Gjileli made up the girl group Siren Society, which was one of the first bands to form. They went out in the first round, but the members, who are also best friends, aim to put out their own songs shortly.
The second group to be kicked out was Sweet Seduction, which included Alison Ogden, Elise Kristine, and Haley Gosserand. There was a lot of conflict among this group, and the members have said they did not work together again after the program. Elise Kristine has talked about how hard it was, saying that she and Alison would never be friends or work together again.
The Judges' Point of View: Kelly Rowland, Nicole Scherzinger, and Liam Payne
Nicole Scherzinger, Kelly Rowland, and Liam Payne were all accomplished artists that judged Building the Band. AJ McLean from the Backstreet Boys hosted the show. The judges had a lot of experience with successful music groups and were there to help and criticize the participants.
Their comment was not only about how well they sang, but also about how well the group worked together, how they looked on stage, and how important it was for everyone to get along. Kelly Rowland said that a band needs to talk to each other, saying, "It's oui, oui, oui." Liam Payne gave Midnight 'Til Morning some good advise on one of his last TV appearances before he died. He felt a connection with them because he had been in a boy band himself.
@TuneTalker: "Building the Band" was different because it put the music first. Less fake drama and more real vocal magic. A breath of fresh air!
Beyond the Stage: What Happens Behind the Scenes and What Goes Wrong
The show gave us a look at the candidates' daily life, showing how hard they worked on their rehearsals and how close they were when the cameras weren't on. Contestants lived together without phones or any other way to talk to people outside, which created a special closeness. A lot of people said it was like "summer camp."
There was a tremendous spirit of support among the bands, even if they were all trying to win. But because reality TV is so short, a lot of talks and exchanges were cut down for transmission, which led to certain misunderstandings, like the backlash that 3Quency got. The episode also looked at how the tournament affected the candidates' mental health as they dealt with concerns and pressures while trying to win.
Will there be a second season of "Building the Band"?
Netflix has not yet made an official announcement about renewing Building the Band for a second season. The show's unusual concept and good reviews from both fans and critics, on the other hand, make it quite likely that it will come again.
Fans have already taken to social media to ask for another season. Some people think that the show might change its formula, such covering rehearsals in more depth, focusing less on fake drama, and maybe even having competitions for specific genres. There are also talks regarding whether another member of One Direction might join the judging panel in a future season to honor Liam Payne's memory.
What Makes "Building the Band" Different from Other Reality Shows
Building the Band stood out in a crowded field of singing competitions by putting musical chemistry and real teamwork ahead of individual fame or fake drama. The "blind audition" and band forming procedure made it distinct because they forced people to interact on a deeper, vocal level.
Viewers liked how the show focused on the process of bringing people together to form a cohesive ensemble instead than merely showing off individual skill. The judges' mentoring, which focused on communication and teamwork, set it apart from other shows that are notorious for being severe. Building the Band gave a unique and real look at the ups and downs of making a music group by not including "comically bad singers" and instead featuring real brilliant artists.
@RealityTVGuru: "Building the Band" showed that real talent will find its voice, no matter what the format is. #NetflixMusic
Important Events and Great Performances
What Fans Are Saying and What's Trending on Social Media
Building the Band got a lot of attention on social media, with fans talking about performances, how the band worked together, and who they thought would win. There were some negative comments, mostly about 3Quency's formation and Sweet Seduction's internal problems, but most people liked the show and praised its new take on the music competition genre.
A lot of people liked that the show focused on music and actual connections. They thought it was a nice contrast from other reality TV dramas that felt fake. A lot of fans said that the event made them feel connected to the bands, especially SZN4.