Is Harry Going Solo? From a solo album to a major movie role, J-14 investigates rumors of a One Direction breakup!
When Harry Styles arrived at Los Angeles International Airport on May 1, carrying a brown bag over his right shoulder, a purplish phone in the left pocket of his jeans, and his grey shoes loosely tied, one thing was missing—his bandmates. For the first time since One Direction achieved international fame, one of the members had flown solo to L.A., sparking rumors that Harry was exploring other career options, including the possibility of leaving One Direction for a solo career.
Harry was all smiles stepping off the plane at LAX without the rest of 1D, fueling speculation of a band breakup.
Early Performances
Growing up, Harry always loved performing. He wore his sister's grey tights to play a mouse in a school production of Barney and dressed as Buzz Lightyear for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Singing Elvis Presley songs on a karaoke machine gifted by his grandfather was a favorite pastime with his cousins.
However, it wasn’t until eighth grade that music became his true passion. That year, he made a new friend, Will, who asked him to join a band.
"I was really nervous," Harry says of those early days. "I’d only ever sung to myself in the shower or the car. I knew I could carry a note, but I didn’t know how well I’d do in front of others."
Harry’s natural talent quickly shone. He won school competitions and became the lead singer of White Eskimo, performing at local weddings. "I loved being on stage, and I wanted to do it more and more," he recalls.
Solo Ambitions?
Harry had always thought about auditioning for The X Factor as a soloist, but he didn’t consider himself a solo artist. However, his mother, Anne Cox, saw his potential and took action.
"My mum filled out the application form and sent it off for me," Harry says. "I’m so grateful she did."
While Harry earned early praise as a soloist on The X Factor, he found his true calling as part of a group.
"The best moment for me was when we were told we’d be put in a band together," Harry says. "I remember thinking, ‘This is going to be a lot of fun.’"
Stronger as a Group
When rumors surfaced that Harry had flown to L.A. for secret meetings about a solo album—or to play a young Mick Jagger in a movie about The Rolling Stones—his mother stepped in to clarify.
"What a load of rubbish," Anne tweeted.
The truth? "Harry was on vacation in L.A.," his representative confirmed.
Harry brushed off the rumors, knowing he’s happiest as part of One Direction. "Very early on, we realized that this was the best thing for all of us. We’re stronger as a group," Harry told J-14. "We can take on whatever is thrown at us—together."
Rumors: Fact or Fiction?
RUMOR: He punched a photographer! A story claimed Harry punched a photographer at the Men in Black 3 premiere. Harry set the record straight: "I definitely didn’t punch anybody," he told J-14. FALSE
RUMOR: He’s dating Taylor Swift! After Taylor Swift was spotted enjoying One Direction’s performance at the Kids’ Choice Awards, rumors swirled about a romance. "We met," Harry says. "She’s very nice and very talented. We’re friends." FALSE
RUMOR: Harry died in a car crash! A fake story circulated online about Harry’s death in a car crash on Route 80. Thankfully, it was entirely untrue. FALSE
Harry’s #1 Girl? His Mom!
Despite being linked to various women, from Caroline Flack to music video co-star Emma Ostilly, Harry’s top priority is his mom, Anne.
"My mom and I have always been close," Harry says.
Whether texting or tweeting sweet messages, Harry ensures his mom knows she’s his number one.
"I’m such a mommy’s boy," Harry admits. "We’ve become better friends than I ever imagined."
Harry opens up about the shocking news that shattered his world. Harry Styles thought he had the perfect life growing up in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, England. "I loved it," he says. "I sometimes get flashbacks of when I was a kid. Everything seemed so big." Playing with his older sister Gemma and listening to Elvis with his dad, the idea that his happy family could ever be torn apart never crossed Harry's mind.
But when Harry was just seven years old, his familiar world suddenly came crashing down. One day, out of the blue, his parents sat him down and told him the horrifying news: "We're getting a divorce." Harry recalls, "I didn't really get what was going on properly. I remember crying about it."
That summer, as Harry struggled to come to terms with what the divorce meant, he, his mom, and sister moved out of their house and left his hometown for a new life in a more rural part of the Cheshire countryside. "Our new home was a pub, and my mum became the landlady," Harry says. Without his dad around, Harry had to find a way to fill the void in his heart. "There was this boy called Reg living nearby, and he was the only other kid in the area," Harry recalls. "We used to go every day to Great Budworth Ice Cream Farm—it's the same ice cream farm I later took all the [One Direction] boys to when they came to stay before The X Factor boot camp."
Gaining a Stepfather
A few years later, when Harry was 12, his family moved back to Holmes Chapel. But things weren’t the same as he remembered from his childhood. Life changed even more when his mom met a man named Robin Twist. "I really liked him," Harry says. "But my mom wanted to make sure that Gemma and I were okay with him being around. She worried about it a lot." Harry reassured her, knowing Robin wasn’t trying to replace his real dad, and he loved having him around. "I used to text him and tell him to come over because I thought he was a really cool guy," Harry says.
A few years later, Harry was "really pleased" when Robin proposed to his mom. "I remember getting a call from my mom and how happy I was when she told me they were going to be getting married," Harry says. "I've always got on well with Robin, and I still do now."
Harry knows that no matter what changes his family goes through or how far apart they are, his parents will always support and love him. And although Robin and Harry's mom hadn’t set a wedding date at the time, one thing was for sure: "I don't think it's very likely that One Direction will be playing at the wedding!" Harry joked.
1D relationship status
Harry caused a stir when he was caught kissing 18-year-old American model Emma Ostilly in New Zealand in April. But Harry quickly shot down the rumors. "She's just a friend. She's working over here," Harry says. "I prefer not to talk about it." Harry and Emma became close after she appeared in One Direction's music video for "Gotta Be You," which they filmed in Lake Placid, NY, last October. Harry's also been linked to Taylor Swift after the two hit it off at the Kids' Choice Awards. "She's very talented and very nice," Harry says.
