Jez Smith - One Direction: Your Backstage Pass To The Boys, The Band, And The 1D Phenomenon

One Direction

Your Backstage Pass to the Boys, The Band, and The 1D Phenomenon

By Jez Smith

Table of Contents

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Back in 2010, Harry, Zayn, Louis, Niall, and Liam were just five young, good-looking, yet ordinary lads all with one sole aim. To be famous.

Forward to 2014, and these five boys are now known collectively as One Direction. They have realized their dream and then some. They are now a global phenomenon.

What happened in the interim? The X Factor happened. The hit UK TV series that has spawned versions in over 42 countries has produced some bright new stars in the musical universe. None of these shine quite so brightly, or are having quite the same success, though, as One Direction.

Although they are undoubtedly one of the biggest boy bands in the World, the five-piece Anglo/Irish band initially auditioned as solo contestants.

Individually, they all failed to make it through the heats. However, the judges spotted something else in them, and offered them the opportunity to move through to the boot camp round as a group. They jumped at the chance, and made a massive impact on the competition.

Although they didnt win, they made it through to the last three acts, and had by that stage amassed a legion of young female fans. Producer Simon Cowell saw their potential, saw the thrall surrounding the boys, fuelled as it was by social media, and after the show was over, signed them up to his label, Syco.

They have gotten increasingly popular with all three of their albums winning accolades and awards. They are the only band within the 68-year history of US Billboard charts to have all of their albums reach #1.

While other UK boy bands have enjoyed massive success in the UK, none of them have caused more than a ripple in America. Until now. Not since The Spice Girls stormed the World in the 1990s, has a UK pop band had such success in the US.

One Direction has firmly got its foot in the door, and it looks like they are not going anywhere for the foreseeable future. Having success in both the UK and America has given the boys global fame.

Lets take a look behind the scenes and follow the boys incredible journey from teenage dream to worldwide stardom. We have written this book using a rapid-fire organizational concept, so that you can quickly get up to speed, and glean the information you need as fast as possible.

The seventh series of The X Factor began on the 21 st August 2010.

Judges for this year were: Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole.

Special judges were used to stand in for Dannii during the auditions, as she was on maternity leave.

Dannii returned in time for the judges house round. She had the boys category, and was the mentor to the eventual winner, Matt Cardle.

Louis had the over-28s, Cheryl, the girls, and Simon, the groups.

The special guests who stood in for Dannii were: Geri Halliwell, Natalie Imbruglia, Katy Perry, Pixie Lott, and Nicole Scherzinger. Nicole went on to become a full-time judge in the eighth series.

In the boot camp round, the groups category proved to be weak. It was decided (both Nicole and Simon claim to have had the idea!) that five rejected soloists from both the boys and girls categories would be put together to form two new groups.

One of these groups was One Direction.

A certain amount of controversy courted the seventh series. Many viewers didnt like the use of pitch correction software in the audition rounds. Forming two groups from contestants who had already been rejected was also disliked by many fans of the show.

Cheryl Cole missed the Manchester audition as she was suffering from malaria.

The axing of contestant Shirlena Johnson, due to mental health issues, was also a controversial decision, with many viewers voicing concern over her involvement in the show.

Matt Cardle went on to win series seven, with Rebecca Ferguson in the runner-up position.

One Direction came in third.

Over 17.7 million viewers in the UK tuned in to watch the final, making it the most watched TV episode of that year.

A total of five out of the final 12 contestants received record contracts. Mary Byrne, Cher Lloyd, One Direction, Rebecca Ferguson, and Matt Cardle. All received record deals off the back of the appearances on the show.

Harry was born on the 1 st February 1994.

His star sign is Aquarius.

Harrys full name is Harry Edward Styles.

He is the youngest band member.

Harrys home town is Holmes Chapel, Manchester, UK.

He has a younger sister called Gemma.

Harry suffers from hay fever.

He talks in his sleep.

He has a cat called Dusty.

Harry is 5 10" tall.

Harry has passed his driving test.

Harrys twitter name is @Harry_Styles.

He supports British soccer club, Manchester United.

When he was at school, Harry was the lead singer in a band called White Eskimo.

His ambition before The X Factor was to become a lawyer.

Before hitting it big in The X Factor , Harry had a part-time job in a bakery in Cheshire.

Harrys first girlfriend was called Emilie. Harry was 12.

When Harry was 10, he was attacked by a goat.

Harry was the one who came up with the name, One Direction.

His X Factor audition song was Isnt She Lovely, by Stevie Wonder.

The other band members say Harry is the smartest one in the group.

The person Harry would most like to duet with, dead or alive, is Coldplay front man, Chris Martin.

One of Harrys musical heroes is the band, The Beatles. He has caused controversy by likening One Direction to the iconic band.

For his 18 th birthday, the other members of the band poured four buckets of water over him.

Many people comment on his resemblance to the young Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones.

His favorite song is Free Falling by John Mayer.

Love Actually is his favorite film.

He thinks swearing is a real turn-off.

Harry prefers tea to coffee.

His favorite love song is Lady in Red , by Chris de Burgh.

Harrys favorite TV show is Family Guy.

His favorite foods are sweet corn and tacos.

Harry hates olives and beetroot.

Harry says he would date a fan because, as he says, When you like someone, you like someone.

Harry had a brief three-month fling with TV presenter Caroline Flack. He was 17 to her 32. The age difference caused quite a division between his fans and fellow celebs.

His idea of a perfect date would be a classy meal, followed by a film.

Harry kisses on the first date.

He wouldnt date a girl who smoked.

Harry hates it when girls swear a lot.

Harry says he doesnt understand why girls like him so much.

According to Harrys mother Anne, Harry is very romantic.

A dream is only a dreamuntil you decide to make it real.

I dont think you can define love.

It only takes a second to call a girl fat. Shell take a lifetime trying to starve herself. Think before you act.