A move popularized by British producer Simon Cowell after he saw Payne and four talented youngsters — Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan — audition for the UK version of “The X-Factor.” Separately, Cowell thought they were insufficient.
Together, it turned out, they were a feeling.
Known as 1D by their fans, they became a global phenomenon, becoming the first group to have its first four albums debut at No.1. Billboard 200. Their massive fan base, nicknamed the Directioners, led the pop group to sell more than 50 million records. They were known for songs like “What Makes You Beautiful”, “Best Song Ever” and “Story of My Life”.
Payne has spoken before about the psychological weight of fame.
“I don’t think I’m struggling in the sense of what you would naturally think when I’m walking down the street when every person is stopping me,” he said. Esquire Middle East in 2019. “I mean, it happens sometimes, but mainly mentally you fight it. It’s preparing and always knowing you might be photographed.
Malik was the first to leave the band in 2015. Others followed suit.
Payne released his first solo album in 2019 titled “LP1”. Last year, he announced plans for a new album and tour Postponed After Payne suffered a kidney infection.
He was open about his drug abuse and past struggles talked about A video shared on YouTube in the summer of 2023 showed six months of sobriety.
“It’s good to be in this position,” he said at the time. “Of course I don’t need those things anymore. The party is over.
He thanked his ex-partner Cheryl Tweedy, with whom he has a 7-year-old son named Pierre, for giving him “independence” and support during that time.
Last spring, Payne released the song “Teardrops.”
“I always think in pictures as much as I think in sounds when I make music,” Payne said Video He recorded the song. “The feelings these chords and weird things give me, all these songs are the story of my life.”
“Friend of animals everywhere. Devoted analyst. Total alcohol scholar. Infuriatingly humble food trailblazer.”