Where it all began. Each member of One Direction originally auditioned for the UK X Factor in 2010 a a solo artist. After all being eliminated, Nicole Scherzinger had the idea to bring them all back to form a boy band. They signed with Simon Cowell’s label, Syco Records and their journey began. They released their first album, Up All Night, in 2011, their second, Take Me Home, in 2012, their third, Midnight Memories, in 2013, their fourth, Four, in 2014 & their fifth and final, Made in the A.M., in 2015. One Direction has had so many hits, including “What Makes You Beautiful”. As a group, they have received so many music awards and continue to receive them as solo artists. The group has gone on four worldwide tours and has sold out many concerts. Along with their good looks, the group also performed very well together and were always able to put on a good show for their fans. After they were formed, their strong friendships also began. Although they split, some of the members still remaind friends with each other and still keep in touch. Overall, I still love them all and all five have impacted my life in some way.

The outgoing one. Louis Tomlinson was born on December 24, 1991. Louis first tried out for X Factor in 2009 but did not succeed, so he tried out the following year and was placed in One Direction. Louis has always been very goofy and outgoing and always willing to speak his mind. After the split, Louis also decided to go solo and signed a deal with Epic Records and released multiple singles. Louis collaborated with EDM artist, Steve Aoki and the song reached number two on the UK singles chart. Although he may not have the best vocal range, Tomlinson has been persistent with his music and has always stuck to his authentic self. Tomlinson recently posted on Instagram that he would stop trying to create “hits” and start creating music that he loves and that means something to him (such a Capricorn move). Although he has been faced with the recent deaths of his mother and sister, he is staying true to his fans and still working on creating quality music.

The heart breaker. Zayn was born on January 12th, 1993 in West Yorkshire. Zayn also tried out as a solo artist but was later put into One Direction. As I write this, I am not even sure where to begin with him. Zayn decided to leave One Direction and go solo on March 25th, 2015. Zayn is the reason that One Direction is not together anymore, and even though it has almost been five years, I am still heartbroken. I can still remember the day that he officially left One Direction and crying at home in my bed as a senior in high school. March 25th was the day of my first heartbreak. Zayn had a very strong voice and knew he could make it as a solo artist. Zayn has always had an amazing vocal range and claims to have left One Direction to create music that he actually enjoyed listening to. Although he released a lot of music under RCA Records, most of it was not what his fans wanted to hear so he was not as successful as he had sought out to be. Even though he has broken my heart and split up my favorite boyband, he will always be someone special to me.

The sweetheart. Niall Horan was born on September 13th, 1993 and is the only non-Brit of the group. Although Niall auditioned as a solo artist, his vocal range was not strong enough for him to succceed as a solo artist. After being placed in One Direction, Niall had very few solos in their songs. Niall has always been very down to earth and enjoyed helping write One Direction’s songs. After the split, Niall also went solo and signed a record deal with Capitol Records. As a solo artist, Niall has thrived and has enhanced his vocal range, allowing him to be successful. He has released one solo album, Flicker, which was a total success. Niall has grown as an artist but has still been able to stay true to himself and has continued to write music — total Ed Sheeran vibes. Niall often involves himself in watching soccer and golf and likes to play both. Out of the five, I would consider Niall the angel of the group.

The bad boy. Liam Payne is the second youngest member of One Direction and was born on August 23rd, 1993. Along with the rest, he also tried out for X Factor as a solo artist, but was called back to form a boyband. While in One Direction, Liam definitely had the widest vocal range and best vocal ability. Once One Direction split, Liam also went solo and signed with Republic Records. Liam definitely changed up his look and music style and started to sing more poppy/R&B songs. Although he has not released a solo album, he has had a few radio hits. Personally, I believe that Liam performed better with a group rather than solo. Out of everyone, Liam has had the most drastic change since the split of One Direction. I still love him though.

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The heart throb. Born on February 1, 1994, Harry Styles is the youngest of the five original members of One Direction. Harry began his career when he auditioned for X Factor in 2010. Like the rest of the members, he auditioned solo. After being eliminated, he was pulled back by Simon Cowell and Nicole Sherzinger to form a boy band. When One Direction split in 2016, he signed with Columbia Records as a solo artist. In 2017, he released one of the best lyrical albums of all time, “Sign of the Times” (which, of course, I own on vinyl). The album was a huge success in many countries and proved to disbelievers that Styles could make it as a solo artist. Along with music, Harry also appeared in his first big film, Dunkirk. He has also recently become more involved in fashion and has modeled for two Gucci campaigns. Harry was also a co-host and ambassador of this years Met Gala and worked closely with Vogue editor, Anna Wintour. As an up and coming fashion icon, Harry has stolen the hearts of many people around the world, including myself. He can most often be seen wearing patterned suits, florals, jewelry, and nail polish.

A story of how I became obsessed with One Direction and what’s to come

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In 2011, I was a freshman in high school. One Direction had just recently placed 3rd in the UK series, The X Factor. I first heard about the group from my best friend Deborah, who had recently discovered them on YouTube. At this moment, I knew my life would change forever. After this, the obsession began. I began collecting posters, t-shirts, concert DVDs, their music and started to learn facts about them. With my room walls covered in pictures of their shining faces, I knew I was in too deep, but I did not care. In 2012, I attended their Up All Night tour; tears filled my eyes as I was graced with their prescence. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to attend their Take Me Home tour and Where We Are tour as well. Although I have not seen them in five years, I still love them just as much. In this blog, I will tell you about the members individually and the impact that they have had on my life.