One Direction is an up-and-coming boy band from England. Each member auditioned for The X Factor, an English American Idol-esque singing competition, in 2010 as solo acts. After all being rejected from the show, judge Simon Cowell organized the five into a group, and brought them back on the show. Harry, Niall, Liam, Louis, and Zayn received overwhelming support on the X Factor, placing third in the overall competition. Though they did not win, the group saw massive album sales and international renown due to this epochal performance. Such rousing success has garnered them the title “The Next Beatles,” from a few of the more excitable of their fans. They are a huge sensation in the UK and their music is blasting to the other parts of the world as well. One Direction is bringing boy bands back into the musical picture.
Harry Styles is the youngest member in the group. He was born on February 1, 1994 in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire. Before he auditioned for the X Factor, he was the lead singer in a band called White Eskimo. If he wasn’t in the band, he would be in college finding his way in life and working at a bakery. Styles auditioned with the Stevie Wonder classic, “Isn’t She lovely.” Harry is the one who incepted the name “One Direction” for the band, stemming from the fact that each member hasn’t changed his goals; they are all headed in one direction.
Niall Horan was born on September 13, 1993 in Mullinger, Ireland. Niall is the only one in the band that can play the guitar, and is known as “the funny one.” He differentiates himself from his peers in terms of nationality; Niall has an Irish heritage rather than an English one. Growing up in Ireland, Niall attended an all-boys school. When asked what his favorite part of being in the band is, he said he likes that everyone gets along.
Liam Payne was born on August 29, 1993 in West Midlands, England. He studied music technology before he auditioned for the X Factor. While all his other band mates drink alcohol he cannot because he was born with only one functional kidney and does not want to risk kidney failure. He is called the responsible one of the group; when the boys get out of hand he calms them down and gets them under control. The band affectionately calls him “Daddy Directioner.”
Louis, the oldest one in the group, was born on December 24, 1991 in Doncaster, England, and is referred to as the band’s leader. Louis plays the piano. Harry and Louis have a strong bond; they share a flat in London. Since Harry is under the age of 18, Louis acts as his legal guardian.
Zayn was born on January 12, 1993 in Bradford, England. He is known as the vain one of the band, but used to be afraid of water until they filmed their music video “What Makes You Beautiful” in Los Angeles. If he had not auditioned for the X Factor he would be in college majoring in English in hopes of becoming a teacher.
