They've cracked AMERICA, made an estimated £40 million and rival Justin Bieber in the obsessed fan stakes. What a difference a year has made for ONE DIRECTION.
BY BETH NEIL | PHOTOGRAPHY BY HAMISH BROWN
Fabulous Magazine
Trying to keep control of One Direction is, to all intents and purposes, a lost cause.
Just when we've got one where we want him to be (i.e., dressed, present and ready to shoot the cover), another two go AWOL.
At one point, Louis and Liam give their beleaguered security the slip to commandeer a couple of Boris Bikes for an impromptu cycle along the towpath outside our north London studio. Although, this is apparently small fry. Yesterday, when they went missing from the studio, they were eventually found on the roof.
Later, our exasperated photographer has to tell all five in no uncertain terms to concentrate, stop messing about on set and blinking well pose for the picture. Boys, eh? We suggest their management team invests in five large sets of reins and some firecrackers.
Despite their naughtiness, Louis, 20, Liam, 19, Zayn, 19, Niall, 19, and Harry, 18, are all utterly charming throughout our afternoon together. Harry, especially, lives up to his reputation by kissing any passing female at every opportunity.
Entering the room? Kisses from Harry! Leaving the studio? Kisses from Harry! Finished your sandwich? Kisses from Harry! On both cheeks!
Most of all, they really are just the same five boys we first met this time last year, shortly before the release of their debut single, What Makes You Beautiful, when everything kicked off and the whole world went One Direction nuts. Since then, they've sold 12 million records, become the first British band ever to have a No.1 debut album in the States, made an estimated £40 million, scooped a Brit plus three MTV Video Music Awards and taken just 10 minutes to sell out the 20,000-capacity Madison Square Garden in New York for a gig in December. And Harry has overtaken Russell Brand to become the nation's biggest Lothario.
No one could have predicted all that when they finished third on The X Factor back in 2010—least of all the lads themselves, who express genuine bewilderment at just how quickly it's all happened…
HARRY STYLES: "I don't just like older women."
So, Harry, a lot has happened in the last year—do you feel like a different person?
Yeah, now I look different. It's strange because it feels so long ago, but at the same time it's gone so quickly. I think we've all grown as people and we've grown as a group.
Of all the boys, and perhaps for good reason, you've had the most press attention…
I mean, at first, it was a little bit overwhelming, but I now know that comes with the job. Obviously, some things make me laugh and some don't. But I'm not gonna sit here and complain about it.
Are you single at the moment?
Yeah. That's kind of it as well. I'm an 18-year-old boy and I'm having fun. I'm just not having as much fun as people make out.
So you're saying you haven't been romantically involved with the girls you've been linked to, for example Made In Chelsea's Caggie Dunlop, 23, and model Cara Delevingne?
Well, sometimes I am. I'm 18, so yeah, of course I see girls and go on dates. But, for example, I met up with a girl from home for a coffee and suddenly I was going out with her. Stuff like that's funny. But I think if it hurts people, it's not that funny.
You seem very at ease in the company of women.
I have a lot of friends from school who are girls. And I grew up with my mum, Anne, and my older sister, Gemma, so maybe it comes from that. It's very natural, and I've never been awkward around women.
And is an older woman your preference?
(Harry dated Caroline Flack, 32, and had a fling with married radio DJ Lucy Horobin, also 32.)
It's really not! I think it's just been a coincidence. I don't necessarily just look at women who are older. I like girls my own age as well. Obviously, my last relationship with Caroline was well-documented and I think it's kind of made out to be that it's only older women I like. But I don't base things on age. It completely depends on the person.
So you'd be quite happy to date an 18-year-old?
Yeah! I'd never be like, "She's not old enough for me." It's who you get on with. I don't think you should make too many hoops for people to have to go through. If you get on with someone and you like them, then great.
What did you have in common with the older women you've dated?
I get that, for example, your references might be different if someone's older than you. If you're talking about TV shows you watched as a child, then your references are so different. But you don't sit and talk about that all the time.
Are you still friends with Caroline Flack?
Yeah. We have a lot of the same friends and I saw her a couple of weeks ago at someone's birthday. We're fine. There seems to be an idea that every time we meet, we argue, but we don't.
Are you going on dates with anyone?
Not really. I'm seeing people when I'm out, but—
Keeping your options open?
I guess so! (Laughs)
The fans can make life difficult—anyone you're linked to, they're very protective.
I know some people get a little carried away, but then there are—
All these women, Harry!
You watch, people will say I'm going out with them by tomorrow morning.
Have you been sensible with your money?
My dad, Joe, is a financial advisor and he basically said that for every £10 you make, spend £6 or £7 of it wisely and have fun with the rest. So yeah, I've obviously had fun, but I'm not being stupid. I've made sure I've done the right things first. I think it's important to buy property, which is what I've done.
What sort of fun have you had with it?
I really don't want to look back on this time and think I could have had more fun. I think cars are probably a luxury—I've got a Range Rover Sport and some other cars. It's nice to be able to give things to your family, too. I think it's just really cool to be in a position where you can think in terms of investing, so when I have kids and things are tough, I can sort them out.
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