As someone who was born in 2006 and grew up during the 2010’s, I can proudly say that I am a huge Directioner. From singing the songs in the car, to learning the intro to the “Best Song Ever” music video,I have to say that these boys are still my favorite band. Everyone is aware that the boys went on a hiatus in 2015, but that hiatus was only supposed to last 18 months and now it’s been 96 months. Where did you guys go?
Let’s start this off with Mr. Harry Styles. Since 2015, it’s safe to say he’s done a lot. He put out three albums: HS1 in 2017, Fine Line in 2019 and most recently Harry’s House in 2022. My favorite album of the three would have to be HS1 and my favorite track on the album, and just in general, is “Ever Since New York.”
Going along with his music he’s also gone on tour. From 2017-2018 he did his first world tour entitled Live On Tour. He had openers such as MUNA, Kacey Musgraves, Leon Bridges and a few more. In 2021 Styles started his second world tour, Love On Tour, the tour closed in July 2023. This tour is where he played in Madison Square Garden, in New York, for 15 consecutive nights. When Styles was on tour he would often be on tour during Halloween, and because of this, Harryween was born, a show on Halloween where Styles and all of his fans are invited to dress up and celebrate together.
In 2017 Styles made his movie debut in Dunkirk. The film was about the war in Germany that flowed into France. I watched the movie with a friend a few years back, and it’s safe to say we were a bit confused. He was also in the movie adaptation of My Policeman. More popular Styles starred in the 2022 film Don’t Worry Darling.
Next up we have the Bradford Bad Boy, or more well known as Zayn Malik. He’s been doing a lot since he left the band. First up we have to talk about the fact that Malik is a father now. In 2021 Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik became a parent to their daughter Khai. However, despite Hadid and Malik having a kid together and being together for so long the two split in 2021. But they continue to co-parent Khai.
Now let’s talk about the music. In 2016 Malik dropped his first album called Mind Of Mine, and two years later in 2018 Icarus Falls was released. His most recent album is called Nobody is Listening. In 2020 he also came out with an E.P. called Flames. I can’t talk about his music without discussing the collab he did with Taylor Swift. For the Fifty Shades Darker film Swift and Malik collabed and created the song “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever.,” and personally I think people moved on from this song too quickly.
Finally let’s talk about Malik being on the podcast Call Her Daddy. It was the first interview he did in 6 years. I’ve watched it a few times and it’s incredible, it’s so great to hear what he’s been up to after all these years.
Third we have Tommo! In 2021, I made a Build-A-Bear for Mr. Tommo and he (the bear) sits on the shelf in my room. I’m a bit biased because I’ve always been a Louis girl, but that’s beside the point. Like Zayn Malik, Tomlinson is also a father. He and Briana Jungwirth welcomed Freddy into the world in 2016. Since then, Jungwirth and Tomlinson have split.
Now that we’ve discussed his family life let’s talk about his music. At the moment he has two albums out. The first is called Walls and was released in 2020 earlier this year he put out his sophomore album Faith In The Future. Of course with albums comes tours; I have been lucky enough to have seen him on both of his world tours. The first was supposed to be in April 2021 but due to covid got pushed to February 2022, but it was still incredible. He’s still in the progress of his second tour, and I was lucky enough to have gone to the Philly date in July.
Let’s talk about Payno. In 2020 Liam Payne started dating model Maya Henry. Fans loved this since Henry was a fan but the two called it quits in 2021. Just like Tommo and Malik he is also a father. Payne is the father to 6 year old Bear.
Payno only has one album out, LP1. But it features songs such as “Strip That Down,” “Polaroid,” and the Christmas song “All I Want (For Christmas).” To get fans through quarantine he would often do online shows. I was lucky enough to see one of them in 2021. One of the openers was Claire Rosinkranz and Payne sang “18” from One Direction’s album Four.
Let’s end this with everyone’s favorite Irish princess, it’s Niall Horan. Of course he’s a musician so he’s put out a few albums, three to be exact. The first, and my favorite, is called Flicker and came out in 2017. Album number two, Heartbreak Weather, came out in 2020, or more specifically March 13th. His final album came out earlier this year in June and it is called The Show.
To go along with the new album Horan announced he’ll be going on tour in 2024. Some may not be able to see him on tour, so an alternative is watching him be a coach on The Voice.
I was lucky enough to grow up in the era of boy bands, from Big Time Rush to 5 Seconds of Summer, but One Direction will always be my favorite. As I grew up I stopped listening to them as much but once quarantine hit I fell right back in. For those of you wondering, my favorite album it’s Midnight Memories, I’m a Louis girl after all.
Oh and if any of the guys are seeing this: Louis promised and we miss you, so come back.
