One of Netflix's hottest new reality TV shows pits newly formed groups against one another. The first season of Building The Band debuted this month, and the hopeful musical groups compete to be the winner who will receive a major cash prize of $500k.
Along the way, the bands are given coaching from some influential figures. Their choreographers, twins Brian and Scott Nicholson, may be recognizable from working with one of the biggest pop stars of all time.
Brian And Scott Previously Worked With Ariana Grande
Prior to Building The Band, Brian and Scott were best known for working as the choreographers for pop star Ariana Grande. The two worked extensively on her Dangerous Woman tour, and even took to calling the singer their "third twin."
In a profile from Vogue done during the tour, Brian explained how close they were with Ariana, and how the three of them were able to pull inspiration from the surprising things around them:
The three of us are so involved. Sometimes we just look around us while on tour and we’re inspired by, say, a beautiful neon color coming from a street sign or an arena sign, something that leads up to a visual for the tour or a music video or a dope photo shoot.
More than just working on pure choreography, Brian and Scott helped Ariana with the visual imagery and overall presence in her performance. They noted that they admired the way Ariana stayed "raw" and "organic" during her tour—features they clearly embraced in their coaching on Building The Band.
The Twins Bring The Tough Love On The Show
Brian and Scott are brought in during Episode 5 of Building The Band to help the groups prepare for their first rehearsed live performance. They encourage the contestants to embrace their confidence, reminding them to move about the stage and make the most of the space.
Even if some of the singers weren't necessarily dancing, the twins noted, they still needed to work the room and connect with the audience. Brian and Scott's advice ends up being critical, as judge and mentor Nicole Scherzinger seems highly attuned to the energy that the bands bring to the stage, pointing out moments when they don't seem to hold themselves with confidence.
Selecting Brian and Scott for the choreography role seems extra special, not just because of their impressive experience, but because of what they stand for. Their online bio notes how important diversity and inclusion are to the duo, and how that affects the kind of work they do:
A queer and Non-Binary duo, these artists have created art for and collaborated with the top artists in the world. These two are artists that have changed the landscape of inclusion and representation in commercial art and media. Brian and their brother Scott Nicholson, are currently Choreographers and Creative team members for Ariana Grande, and Kim Petras. Brian and Scott remain focused on pushing forward the boundaries of inclusion, representation, and commercial art.
Beyond the show, this likely isn't the last we'll see of the talented twins. Beyond their work onstage, they've also had their designs featured in stores like H&M, Walmart, and Urban Outfitters, and also worked on award shows, including The VMA’s, American Music Awards, Much Music Video Awards, The Billboard Music Awards, The Grammys, and The European Music Awards.
- Network
- Netflix
- Cast
- Nicole Scherzinger, Kelly Rowland, Liam Payne, AJ McLean
- Genre
- Reality TV
- Premiere Date
- July 9, 2025
Building The Band is a music competition reality series that takes a unique approach to forming the next big pop group. Premiering July 9, 2025, on Netflix, the show begins with 50 solo singers auditioning in blind, isolated pods, where they can only hear each other’s voices. Contestants swipe “like” or “pass” as they listen, focusing purely on vocal chemistry rather than looks or personality. From there, selected musicians join forces to form six separate bands, moving through a series of challenges including live performances, songwriting workshops, and branding exercises. The show emphasizes not just vocal talent but also teamwork, versatility, and group cohesion, with the goal of launching a real, fully developed music act by the end of the season.
Guiding the competition is a high-profile judging panel made up of music industry veterans: Nicole Scherzinger, Kelly Rowland, and the late Liam Payne, with hosting duties handled by AJ McLean. Each judge brings personal experience from global groups—Scherzinger from The Pussycat Dolls, Rowland from Destiny’s Child, and Payne from One Direction—offering both critique and hands-on mentorship to the contestants. Their feedback isn’t limited to vocal performance; they also focus on interpersonal dynamics, branding, and long-term career viability. Liam Payne’s participation adds an emotional layer to the series, as Building The Band marks his final project before his passing in 2024. Throughout the show, viewers witness not just the formation of new bands but also honest, often vulnerable conversations about fame, pressure, and what it takes to truly succeed as a collective rather than as a solo act.
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