The boy band quickly became a global phenomenon. Together, the five young men released five albums, several of which reached the top positions on the international charts. Among their best-known titles, “What Makes You Beautiful”, their first single, released in 2011, “Story of My Life”, a pop-folk ballad released in 2013 or even “Best Song Ever”, an energetic piece which dominated the rankings and accompanied their documentary film the same year.
One Direction’s world tours have also been phenomenal, with sold-out concerts in stadiums and arenas around the world, marking one of the biggest successes in boyband history. Their 2014 “Where We Are Tour” became the highest-grossing tour of the year, attracting millions of fans to astounding fervor. The “Directioners” (nicknames of the group’s faithful) was unprecedented, creating a real collective hysteria around the five young men.
After Zayn Malik’s departure from the group in 2015, One Direction announced a hiatus in 2016 to allow young artists to focus on individual projects and take time for themselves, after several years of intensive career. The members all expressed their desire to pursue solo careers while leaving the door open for a possible reunion of the group, but this “hiatus” was never officially broken.
In this context, Liam Payne launched his solo career with the hit single “Strip That Down”, which reached the top of the international charts. He then followed it up with other popular tracks like “Bedroom Floor” and “For You,” a collaboration for the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack. His solo music blends pop, R&B, and electronic influences, allowing him to stand out from other group members while pursuing a career in the overall music landscape.
Outside of his musical career, Liam Payne has often been in the media for his personal life, notably his past relationship with singer Cheryl Cole, with whom he had a son, Bear, born in 2017. Furthermore, the singer has regularly taken stance on issues related to mental health, speaking openly about her own struggles and the importance of psychological help.
