Here's how much One Direction have changed since 2010
23 July 2020, 16:34
The moment One Direction were formed
From first auditions to latest solo albums and current net worths, here's a look how 5 teenage boys from the UK and Ireland took the world by storm.
Can you believe it's been 10 years since we were first introduced to One Direction? 10 whole years since Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne waltzed into our lives and changed the game forever.
In that time, a whole new generation of teens has grown to love the music and the boys, both as a band and as successful solo artists.
READ MORE: Every single One Direction song ranked
With all five of them now thriving in their own different ways, it's time to take a look back at where they started. From their first X Factor auditions, to their own solo careers, here's how five teenage boys from the UK and Ireland became five of the world's biggest and most loved stars.
Watch One Direction sing ‘Torn’ in their iconic Judges Houses audition from 2010
Harry Styles
Age at first audition: 16
Age now: 26
Current net worth: Estimated to be around $75 million.
X Factor audition song: Stevie Wonder - 'Isn't She Lovely?'
Harry first auditioned for the show in Manchester, after being persuaded by his mum, Anne. (Everyone say "Thank you, Anne!") Both Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger gave him a yes, while Louis Walsh didn't think he was ready.
Harry progressed through to bootcamp, where he sang 'Stop Crying Your Heart Out' by Oasis. He didn't make it into the Boys category as a solo artist, but as we all know, his journey didn't end there. 9 iconic hairstyles, several floral suits, a role in a World War 2 epic and many many bops later, here we find ourselves – more in love than ever before.
Harry launched his solo career in 2017 with his debut single 'Sign Of The Times'. The track went straight to No. 1 in the UK and peaked at number 4 on Billboard's Hot 100. His debut album, Harry Styles, hit No. 1 in multiple countries. He followed up with his sophomore album Fine Line in 2019, which gave us the sweaty orgy bop 'Lights Up', the cinematic fishing epic 'Adore You' and the summery ode to... oral sex (?)... 'Watermelon Sugar'.
A family show? NOT ANYMORE, HONEYYY.
Liam Payne
Age at first audition: 16 (Well, 14 if you count his audition in 2008)
Age now: 26
Current net worth: Estimated to be around $60 million
X Factor audition song: Michael Bublé - 'Cry Me A River'
After making it to Judges' Houses a few years before at the age of 14 (A baby! Can you believe?!), Liam's big moment finally came in 2010 when he auditioned for the second time in Birmingham.
A little bit older and a whole lot more confident, Liam served up the Bublé cover of 'Cry Me A River', and made it through to bootcamp with a standing ovation. Despite not making it through as a solo artist, he made it back to Judges' Houses again with the boys and the rest is history.
Liam launched his solo career in 2017 with commercial success 'Strip That Down', followed by 'Bedroom Floor' and a sultry collab with Rita Ora on 'For You' for the 50 Shades Freed soundtrack. His debut album LP1 was released in 2019.
Liam also became the second member of the band to become a dad in 2017, after welcoming Bear Grey Payne with then-girlfriend Cheryl. Oh, and he did quite the underwear shoot for Hugo Boss too. A moment we will never forget.
Louis Tomlinson
Age at first audition: 18
Age now: 28
Current net worth: Estimated to be around $70 million
X Factor audition song: Plain White T's - 'Hey There Delilah'
Before making it on to the televised show in 2010, Louis originally auditioned in 2009 but failed to make it past the producer’s audition. He came back as an 18-year-old and won the judges’ praise after a rendition of ‘Hey There Delilah’. With three yeses, he was sent to bootcamp. At the final stage of bootcamp, he was sent home but later brought back with the rest of the boys as a group.
During his time in the band, Louis had a hand in writing some of their biggest and best songs (38 in total), including the iconic 'What A Feeling’. And for that, we say, thank you, King!
Since going solo, Louis has experimented with his sound, with genres ranging from EDM to rock. His first solo track, ‘Just Hold On’ reached number 2 in the UK charts, with the follow up ‘Back to You’ featuring Bebe Rexha peaking at number 8. Louis dropped his debut album Walls in January 2020.
As well as playing in the reserve team at Doncaster Rovers Football Club for a few years, Louis returned to The X Factor as a judge in 2018, after a guest judge stint in 2015. Louis was also the first member of the band to become a dad, after welcoming Freddie Reign in 2016.
Niall Horan
Age at first audition: 16
Age now: 26
Current net worth: Estimated to be around $70 million
X Factor audition song: Ne-Yo - 'So Sick'
Everyone’s favourite Irishman Niall Horan first auditioned for The X Factor in Dublin at the age of 16. Niall’s rendition of Ne-Yo’s ‘So Sick’ received mixed reactions from the judges but he was thankfully put through to bootcamp thanks to Katy Perry's deciding vote. In the next round, Niall sang Oasis’ ‘Champagne Supernova’ but failed to make it through as a solo artist in the Boys category.
In 2017, shortly after going on hiatus from the band, Niall abandoned his famous blond hair, threw on a hat, grabbed a guitar and stormed to solo success with his debut album Flicker (not Fucker, as many fans pointed out at the time).
‘This Town’ and ‘Slow Hands’ earned Niall two UK Top 10s and the album charted at No. 1 in Ireland and the US, as well as in the top three in the UK. Niall followed up that success with his second album Heartbreak Weather in 2019.
Zayn Malik
Age at first audition: 17
Age now: 27
Current new worth: Estimated to be around $65 million
X Factor audition song: Mario - 'Let Me Love You'
Zayn first auditioned for the show in Manchester at the age of 17. His auditions were not actually broadcast on the main show; his first audition aired on The Xtra Factor, while his bootcamp audition wasn’t aired at all. But thankfully, we got to see him serve those iconic vocals week in, week out on the live shows.
In March 2015, Zayn shocked the world when he announced his departure from the band while they were in the middle of a tour. After laying low and taking some time out to rest, de-stress and explore his own sound, Zayn made his grand return in January 2016 with ‘PILLOWTALK’ and later dropped his debut album Mind of Mine… on the one year anniversary of his departure.
A second studio album (Icarus Falls) followed in 2018, as well as a number of high profile collaborations including the breathy 50 Shades Darker bop ‘I Don’t Wanna Live Forever’ with Taylor Swift. The song was nominated for a Grammy.
In 2020, it was announced that Zayn was set to welcome his first child with girlfriend Gigi Hadid.
