Kaylah Walton
The phenomenon of boybands transitioning into solo careers has become increasingly popular among teenage groups. One Direction set the stage for this trend in the past decade. This British band achieved chart-topping success before disbanding in 2016. Now, eight years later, we take a look at what each member has been up to.
Updates on One Direction’s Members
Harry Styles has released three solo albums: ‘Harry Styles’ (2017), ‘Fine Line’ (2019), and ‘Harry’s House’ (2022). He has also ventured into acting, featuring in Christopher Nolan’s ‘Dunkirk’ and ‘My Policeman’. In 2021, he won a Grammy for Best Pop Performance with ‘Watermelon Sugar’ and in 2023 claimed Album of the Year for ‘Harry’s House’.
Zayn Malik left the group in 2015, prior to the official breakup. His solo career took off with the hit debut album ‘Mind of Mine’ (2016), featuring the popular track ‘Pillowtalk’. However, his subsequent albums, ‘Icarus Falls’ (2018) and ‘Nobody is Listening’ (2021), received less acclaim.
Niall Horan has put out two solo albums, ‘Flicker’ (2017) and ‘Heartbreak Weather’, showcasing a shift from pop to soft rock. In 2023, he embraced a new role as a coach on the US version of ‘The Voice’.
Liam Payne tragically passed away on October 17. He was in Argentina to attend Niall Horan’s concert, which followed his tumultuous career in music. Despite some chart successes, he faced challenges in his personal life that overshadowed his musical achievements.
Louis Tomlinson has taken a more understated approach to his solo career, securing a loyal fanbase with two albums: ‘Walls’ (2020) and ‘Faith in the Future’ (2022). He has faced personal loss, including the deaths of his mother and sister, and appeared on the original version of ‘X Factor’ in 2018.
