Simon Cowell hopes for a 1D reunion concert

Music mogul Simon Cowell believes that, somewhere, sometime along the way, the boys of the pop band One Direction will share the stage once more.

“I just think the legacy is too big not to go back to at one point,” he said of the group—
which he helped create in 2010 as a judge in “The X Factor.”

“They have enough songs,” he told “Entertainment Tonight.” “I didn’t realize how many hits they have had.”


The members of 1D—Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Liam Payne—are all pursuing solo careers. But Simon would love to see them back together, he said, even if only for a concert series.

“When they do get back together it will be a huge event. But look, they’re all doing their own thing and they’re all being successful. But I have a feeling it will happen,” Simon said. “I really do. I would love it to happen.” —ALLAN POLICARPIO

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

One Direction's Horan brings soft touch with new album

NEW YORK, United States - One Direction's Niall Horan on Friday released a soft breakup ballad with echoes of the heartthrob boy band as he announced his debut solo album.

Horan announced on social media that his album  "Flicker" will come out on October 20 followed by a tour in 2018 of the United States and Canada.

The 24-year-old Irish singer marked the announcement by releasing a track off the album entitled "Too Much to Ask," a piano-led ballad in which Horan, his voice turning soulful, mourns the end of a relationship.

The song is produced by Greg Kurstin, the increasingly in-demand musician best known for co-writing Adele's smash hit "Hello."

Kurstin also worked with Horan on the first track off "Flicker," the acoustic guitar ballad "This Town."

Horan's soft touch is more consistent with One Direction than the solo music of his two most successful bandmates.

Zayn Malik cast away One Direction's squeaky-clean image to go for a sensual, urban vibe, while Harry Styles surprised critics with an album that sounded influenced by 1970s David Bowie.

One Direction, formed when the five young men auditioned for the British reality show "The X Factor," turned into one of the best-selling bands of the decade, packing arenas worldwide with screaming teenage girls.

The band went on an indefinite hiatus after an album at the end of 2015 while stopping short of calling it quits. — Agence France-Presse

source: gmanetwork.com

Harry Styles channels glam rock in post-1D debut

One Direction heartthrob Harry Styles on Friday released a ballad with touches of 1970s glam rock as he became the latest member of the boy band to go solo.

“Sign of the Times” is the first solo single by the 23-year-old English singer who is expected to put out a full album at a later date. The song starts with a dark chord progression on a piano before quickly building power as Styles shifts his voice into a higher range.

Drums and organ give way to electric guitar riffs on a grandiose chorus with clear influences of late legend David Bowie’s early glam rock and, to some extent, Queen. But unlike the path-breaking Bowie, lyrically Styles keeps things simple with a chorus that goes, “Just stop your crying / It’s a sign of the times,” although the context of the sorrow is unspecified.

At around five and a half minutes, “Sign of the Times” comes off as a statement by Styles on a new artistic direction after the succinct pop ditties of One Direction.

Styles, thin like Bowie with flowing hair, becomes the latest singer to go solo from One Direction, which went on indefinite hiatus in 2015 after five years of packing in stadiums with screaming pre-teens.

Most prominently, Zayn Malik — who left One Direction amid a rift — has found success with a solo career in which he has parted with the boy band’s squeaky-clean image for a sultry sound and style driven by R&B. Niall Horan went on a different path when he put out a solo single last year, going for stripped-down acoustic pop.

Styles worked on “Sign of the Times” with prominent US producer Jeff Bhasker, a frequent collaborator of rap superstar Kanye West who has also gone to the studio with Taylor Swift — whom Styles used to date.

Record label Columbia said Styles would later this month release a video for the song shot on Scotland’s Isle of Skye by French director Yoann Lemoine, who has worked with Swift and Katy Perry.

“Sign of the Times” has no obvious connection to a song of a similar title by Prince, a dark 1987 take on AIDS, drug abuse, and other social ills.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Zayn to publish life story post-One Direction

NEW YORK—Zayn Malik, who found superstardom as a teen heartthrob with One Direction before a heated falling out, is publishing an autobiography at age 23.

Publisher Penguin Random House on Tuesday announced that “Zayn,” described as the British singer’s “first autobiography,” would come out worldwide on November 1 and feature his thoughts, drawings and personal photographs.

“I’m going to show you as much as I can so that you can judge me on my own terms, not on what the press or anyone else says,” Zayn, who has gone just by his first name as a solo artist, said in a statement.

Zayn quickly became a celebrity with One Direction, five squeaky-clean lads discovered on the reality television show “The X Factor” who went on to fill stadiums full of ecstatic girls around the world.

But the carefully crafted image was shattered in 2015 when Zayn left One Direction, leading to open, nasty exchanges on social media with his ex-bandmates.

Zayn has found success on his own as a solo artist and has taken on a persona that would have been unthinkable with One Direction, with R&B-tinged songs full of lust.

Despite his fame, Zayn has been sparing in his public statements since One Direction. He told Beats One radio host Zane Lowe when he released his solo album that he had been craving a more challenging artistic life.

The publisher said Zayn’s book would also explore his “normal childhood” in Bradford, an industrial hub in England with a large South Asian community.

Zayn, who is partially of Pakistani origin, is one of the most prominent Muslims in Western pop culture.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Simon Cowell forms female version of One Direction

After managing one of the best boy bands in music history, music tycoon and judge of “The X Factor Judge” and “Britain’s Got Talent” Simon Cowell has embarked on forming a female version of One Direction.

Cowell has tapped One Direction member Louis Tomlinson to help him in this endeavor.

Cowell told entertainment news sites Mirror and The Sun, “They (the female group) are unbelievably good. They are as good as I have ever heard.” When asked about Tomlinson, he said, “He has got fantastic instinct… I think he has got a real knack for this,” adding that Tomlinson, 24, told him about this idea over a year ago, and “he stuck with it.”

The 56-year-old tycoon also revealed that he had encouraged another One Direction band member, Harry Styles, to sign a solo record deal with Columbia. The 22-year old has also landed a role in the World War II film “Dunkirk,” which is directed by Christopher Nolan, People Magazine reported.

The two other One Direction boys, Liam Payne and Niall Horan, both 22, are building up their solo careers. Payne recently signed a deal with rival Capitol UK records while Horan will sign a contract with Cowell’s company Syco soon.  Gianna Francesca Catolico

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Zayn Malik, Gigi Hadid call it quits after 7 months

After reports that pop icon Taylor Swift and her boyfriend Calvin Harris split up after 15 months of dating, another break-up rattled Hollywood.

Former “One Direction” singer Zayn Malik and Victoria’s Secret supermodel Gigi Hadid parted ways after a seven-month relationship.

Sources divulged to entertainment news site E! News that the Hollywood “It” couple had had a “love-hate relationship” just before they broke up.

“During her birthday they were fighting,” an insider gossiped. Hadid, 21, and Malik, 23, had “broken up and got back together a few times.”

Another source leaked that although Hadid was “gloomy,” with their relationship getting on the rocks, there was still hope that the couple would reconcile.

“Zayn and Gigi did break up, but they can likely get back together tomorrow. It’s all very unclear what’s going on between them now. They have been having some issues lately that involved communication and getting along,” the source elucidated.

According to US Magazine, Hadid previously dated two admired singers, Joe Jonas and Cody Simpson. Malik was formerly engaged to Perrie Edwards.

Below is Hadid’s last Instagram post with Malik. Gianna Francesca Catolico

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Zayn tops charts in post-One Direction debut

NEW YORK — One Direction star Zayn Malik is finding renewed success in his own right, with his solo debut album opening at number one in both the United States and Britain.

The 23-year-old, who now simply calls himself Zayn, has gone racier as a solo artist with a sexual image that would have been out of the question for his former boy band.

His album “Mind of Mine,” sold 157,000 copies or the equivalent in downloads or streaming in its first week in the United States, Nielsen Music said late Sunday.

Zayn becomes the first British male solo artist to debut at number one on the benchmark US Billboard chart with his first album.

George Michael went to number one in 1988 with “Faith,” his blockbuster solo debut after disbanding the pop duo Wham!, but he did not do so in his first week.

“Mind of Mine” also debuted at number one in Britain, where Zayn edged out fellow homegrown star Adele on the Official Albums Chart released Friday.

Zayn released “Mind of Mine” on March 25, the anniversary of his abrupt and at time acrimonious departure from One Direction amid a global tour.

The boy band later released an album without Zayn before declaring an indefinite hiatus.

Zayn goes for a more R&B sound on “Mind of Mine” and offers plenty of sexuality, with an alternative cover of the album depicting him topless showing off his muscular, tattooed body.

The first track, “Pillowtalk,” is an ode to passionate lovemaking, with Zayn in the song promising to take a partner to “a place that is so pure, so dirty and raw.”

Zayn has said he was unhappy with the artistic constraints of One Direction, a group that emerged from Britain’s “The X Factor” television contest in 2010.

The band quickly became one of the world’s top-selling acts, packing arenas full of young girls with its squeaky clean pop songs.

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

LOOK: 1D’s Louis Tomlinson introduces baby Freddie

Is there room for one more One Direction member?

Because if there is, a baby who is barely a week old may just be the perfect candidate.

Meet baby Freddie, the son of One Direction singer Louis Tomlinson and stylist Briana Jungwirth.

On Thursday, Tomlinson sent social media into collective “Awws” when he posted a picture of him cradling his newborn son.

“Meet my little lad, Freddie,” the caption of his photo read.

Jungwirth gave birth to Freddie on January 22. She and Tomlinson, however, are no longer together.

One Direction, which was formed on the British talent competition “X Factor,” rose to fame with hits like “Perfect,” “Steal My Girl,” and “What Makes You Beautiful.”

In 2015, after Zayn Malik had announced that he was splitting up from the group, One Direction announced that it was going to take an “extended” hiatus in 2016.

The band, however, clarified that the break would not be permanent, even releasing an album as a foursome.

With the hiatus already imminent, Tomlinson can focus on rearing his adorable son. IDL

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

One Direction teams with Twitter to find country with best 1D fans

Which countries have the best One Direction fans in the world?

The band has teamed up with Twitter to try to find the answer.

The social media platform will provide hashtags for each of 140 countries in the contest. Filipino fans, for example, need to use the hashtag #1DPH.

The 10 winning countries will get their own custom One Direction emoji.

The competition will begin on Saturday, November 14 at 8 a.m. Philippine time.

Fans can check live results at http://twittermusic.wayinhub.com/Home

—JST, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

One Direction will return, says Tomlinson

One Direction "fully intend" to reform, the British pop phenomenon's Louis Tomlinson said ahead of Saturday's final concert before their planned hiatus.

The four-piece boy band, who have sold more than 50 million records worldwide, are ending their On The Road Again Tour at the Sheffield Arena in northern England.

The group are set to separate for at least a year, leaving the band's enormous global teenage following devastated.

"We fully intend to come back," Tomlinson told ITV television.

"We absolutely love this. We had a little sit down before and we decided that we wanted a break.

"We've had a very intense couple of years so we're just going to have a little bit of breathing time and spend that with our families.

"I don't think anyone could keep this pace up forever so I think it's the most healthy and constructive thing for all of us."

The band consists of Tomlinson, 23, Niall Horan, 22, Liam Payne, 22, and Harry Styles, 21. Zayn Malik, 22, quit due to stress in March.

Horan admitted the last gig of the tour would be difficult.

"We've done almost 1,000 shows or more over the last few years so to think we won't do one for over a year will be strange, so it will be a little bit emotional," he said.

The group's fifth studio album, "Made In The AM" will be released on November 13 and they will make a promotional appearance on US television four days later.

Put together for a British television singing contest in 2010, the group swiftly developed a giant, fiercely loyal following of young girls worldwide.

Malik has signed a new recording deal as a solo artist.

"I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight," he said at the time.

The Sunday Times newspaper's Rich List 2015 reckoned the band members were worth £25 million ($39 million, 35 million euros) each. —Agence-France Presse

source: gmanetwork.com

One Direction announces album after split speculation

NEW YORK, United States - One Direction on Tuesday announced a new album for later this year, putting to rest speculation of an imminent breakup following the departure of Zayn Malik.

The British boy band said that "Made in the A.M." would come out on November 13. The album is the fifth by the pop sensations, with one released every year since 2011, always in November -- in time for the holiday shopping season.

The four remaining members of the band made the announcement in a short video posted on Twitter. Band member Harry Styles promised an "instant treat" of one song, entitled "Infinity," available for download to fans who pre-order the album.

The album marks a new "direction" for the band in one sense -- it will be the first without Malik, a founding member who split in March.

Malik's departure led to surprisingly bitter exchanges on social media among the former bandmates who until then had carefully maintained a squeaky-clean public image.

In another break from the youthful past, member Louis Tomlinson, 23, recently confirmed that he is going to be a father with a Los Angeles stylist.

The personal changes led to speculation that One Direction was finished, especially given the notoriously short shelf-life of boy bands.

Member Niall Horan denied the rumors on Twitter last month, writing: "We are not splitting up, but we will be taking a well-earned break at some point next year."

Amid the tumult, the band has been on tour for most of the year, starting in February in Australia. The tour is scheduled to conclude on October 30 in Sheffield, England.

One Direction released its first track without Malik last month -- "Drag Me Down," which quickly went to the top of singles charts.

One Direction stormed onto the scene in 2010 when the then-teenagers appeared on the British talent show "The X Factor."

The band has since sold more than 65 million albums, according to its label. — Agence France-Presse

source: gmanetwork.com

One Direction scotch split rumors

LONDON, United Kingdom - British boyband One Direction insisted Saturday they would not be splitting up despite the departure of band member Zayn Malik.

The chart toppers, who have sold more than 50 million records worldwide and have a huge teenage following, hit back at rumors concerning their future.

Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson played their first Brtish concert as a foursome on Friday night in Cardiff.

Payne responded to rumors of a split before they performed Saturday at London's Wembley Stadium.

"We don't know where that came from because we've got loads of stuff going on," he said.

"We have just started the process for recording the new album, we've got a whole new tour going on, there are some really good songs so I don't think we are going anywhere for a while."

One Direction announced in March that Malik was quitting, but that the band would continue as a foursome.

"I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight," Malik said. — Agence France-Presse

source: gmanetwork.com

Friendship over? Zayn Malik rips ex-bandmate Tomlinson on Twitter

Chances of Zayn Malik returning to One Direction is even bleaker now as he ripped former bandmate Louis Tomlinson on Twitter.

Tomlinson had been conducting an online back-and-forth with Malik's friend, UK producer Naughty Boy. Malik eventually put in his own two cents, sending a pointed message to Tomlinson:

source: gmanetwork.com

Girls crying over Zayn Malik broke the Internet

One of the most famous boybands in the world is now a member short after Zayn Malik suddenly announced his departure from One Direction.

"I'd like to apologise to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight," Malik said in a statement on One Direction's Facebook page.

The group will now continue as a four-piece band, with Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson.

The announcement instantly made Malik's name one of the top trends on Twitter and produced anguished reactions from fans of the hugely popular British-Irish group from all over the world.

Some of them has taken the liberty to express their feelings about Malik's decision, especially over the internet.

Understandably, some fans were angry now that they will never see a five-piece One Direction again:

source: gmanetwork.com

Stars light up red carpet at American Music Awards

The red carpet at the American Music Awards was chock full of A-list stars Sunday (November 23), proving as always, skin is in, and One Direction is still on top.

One Direction got the party started with all five members, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson, walking the red carpet.

Heidi Klum donned a thigh-flaunting skirt and crop top set, and figure-conscious Jennifer Lopez wowed in a blush-colored Reem Acra number with a bare midriff.

Some stars decided to bare as much skin as possible, such as recording artist Bleona, who wore a black see-through dress that left little to the imagination.

Singer Selena Gomez went the opposite route, choosing a more conservative black Giorgio Aramani Prive gown.

Nicki Minaj held her short accordion skirt in place to prevent strong wind from blowing it up, Jessie J looked professional in a cream-colored suit, and Rita Ora went loud with a bright canary yellow gown.

The 42nd Annual American Music Awards aired on American broadcast network ABC on Sunday evening. — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

One Direction member Harry Styles' comments spark speculation about bisexuality

One Direction band member Harry Styles is no stranger to rumors about being bisexual.

But instead of denying is, Harry seems to just add fuel to the fire with comments in recent interviews.

Last week, Harry and fellow One Direction member Liam Payne sat down for an interview with On Demand Entertainment (ODE), an online entertainment news channel.

When asked what traits they look for in a potential mate, Liam responded first by saying "Female. That's an important trait." Harry then shook his head and said, “Not that important,” and continued listing neutral traits such as "sense of humor" and being "someone who's nice."

Last Sunday, Harry and Payne were also interviewed by United Kingdom tabloid The Sun, with fellow One Direction members Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik.

The boys were joking about setting up Niall for a date. Niall suggested popstar Rihanna while Harry suggested pop princess Ariana Grande. The reporter then suggested that Niall try it with a man, prompting Harry to comment to his bandmate, "Hey, don't knock it 'til you try it."

The comments have gotten people speculating about Harry's sexuality.

But in the past, Harry had addressed the issue, which sprung up from his friendship with DJ Nick Grimshaw.

"Bisexual? Me? I don't think so. I'm pretty sure I'm not," Harry told British GQ last September.

Harry said he didn't mind the rumors surrounding his sexuality.

"Some of them are funny. Some of them are ridiculous. Some of them are annoying. I don't want to be one of those people that complains about the rumours. I never like it when a celebrity goes on Twitter and says, 'This isn't true!' It is what it is; I tend not to do that. The only time it gets really annoying is that if you get into a relationship and you get into a place where you really like someone and then things are being written in the papers that affect them and how they see you. Then it can get annoying," he said in the same interview. — JST, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

One Direction's Louis Tomlinson to make football debut

One Directon singer Louis Tomlinson will trade packed out music arenas for the Keepmoat Stadium on Wednesday when he makes his reserve team debut for English second-tier side Doncaster Rovers.

"We've sold more than 4,000 tickets," Doncaster spokesman Steve Uttley was quoted as saying on the BBC. "The usual turnout for a match like this would be about 100."

The 22-year-old joined the Championship side on a non-contract basis in August but was injured in a charity match which prevented him making his debut.

Tomlinson, a lifelong Doncaster fan, will now feature in the Final Third Development League fixture against Rotherham United with the proceeds going to charity. — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

One Direction's new film to top US box office

LOS ANGELES -- Boy mega band One Direction's new film is set to top this holiday weekend's North America box office, in the latest British invasion, an expert said Friday.


"One Direction: This is Us," which has also just opened in Britain and much of Europe, will likely depose Oscar-tipped civil rights epic "Lee Daniels' The Butler" in the number one spot over the three-day Labor Day weekend.


The movie, by Oscar-nominated director Morgan Spurlock, made $2.7 million on opening Thursday evening alone, preliminary figures show.


"The British Invasion seems to be upon us again. And by us, of course, I mean gaggles of tween girls," said Jeff Bock, analyst at box officer tracker Exhibitor Relations.


He did point out that the Labor Day weekend, the last of the summer season, is traditionally one of the slowest periods of the year at the box office.


Spurlock was nominated for an Academy Award in the best documentary category of the Oscars in 2005, for his film "Super Size Me," in which he explored the consequences of eating nothing but McDonald's food for a month.


The One Direction film shows the group in concert at London's O2 Arena, along with fly-on-the-wall footage of life inside one of the world's most famous bands.


The band -- Irish-born Niall Horan, 19, Zayn Malik, 20, Liam Payne, 19, Harry Styles, 19, and Louis Tomlinson, 21 -- have topped the charts on both sides of the Atlantic, becoming the first British act to top the Billboard chart with their debut album.


"Lee Daniels' The Butler," a celluloid depiction of the US civil rights battle as seen by an African-American who served in the White House, has topped the North America box office for the last two weeks.


Starring Forest Whitaker and US talk show queen Oprah Winfrey, it is already being spoken of as a multiple contender for the Academy Awards, the climax of Hollywood's annual awards season on March 2 next year. -- Agence France-Presse

source: gmanetwork.com

'One Direction' movie predicted to outgross 'Skyfall' in UK

The "intimate, all access" 3D concert film “One Direction: This Is Us” premiered in UK's Leicester Square August 20, with hordes of fans turning up to catch a glimpse of the British boy band. But what's interesting is that odds-maker Ladbrokes is offering unprecedented odds of 4/1 for the film to overtake James Bond movie “Skyfall,” which took £102m last year, at the top of the all-time UK box office chart.

“One Direction: This is Us,” which is directed by “Super Size Me” filmmaker Morgan Spurlock, will benefit from the huge following for One Direction members Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Niall Horan in the UK and across the globe.

They are the most followed British band on Twitter, with more than 14 million followers, and have more than 19m "likes" on Facebook. Twitter has reported more than 3.6m tweets were posted on the social network site about One Direction and the One Direction world premiere in London August 20.



Styles told reporters: "We made this for the fans. We just want to say a massive thank-you to them." X-Factor creator and “This Is Us” producer Simon Cowell, who signed the band to his label Syco, said: "It has been my dream come true to produce a film. But without their fans, this couldn't have happened. They have the best fans in the world."

The other films in the current UK all-time box office top five are “Avatar,” “Titanic,” “Toy Story 3” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part Two.” No other concert movie has even made the top 100, so “This Is Us” has a challenge on its hands to live up to bookmakers' expectations. Ladbrokes is also offering odds of 5/1 for the film to win a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut in 2014.

"One way or another this film is going to break records and win awards," said spokesperson Jessica Bridge. "The '1D' phenomenon is showing no signs of slowing down and the odds suggest they could be adding a BAFTA to their tour bus mantelpiece."


 More than just a filmed concert and tour documentary, “One Direction: This Is Us” is a chance to get up close and personal with the world’s biggest band.

Filmed while the guys were taking their world tour to arenas around the globe -- from Mexico to Japan to London’s famed O2 arena -- the movie mixes high-energy performance footage, candid interviews, and behind the scenes footage to offer a one-of-a-kind perspective into the talent, hard work and mischief that goes into being One Direction.

It’s a remarkable story of humble origins, an unprecedented rise to fame and a fan-driven phenomenon that enabled One Direction to conquer the world.

Opening across the Philippines on Friday, August 30, “One Direction: This Is Us” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

source: gmanetwork.com

Experience the band's life on the road in 'One Direction: This is Us'

Global superstars, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson introduce to you their big screen debut: TriStar Pictures' “One Direction: This Is Us.”


More than just a filmed concert and tour documentary, this is a chance to get up close and personal with the world’s biggest band. Filmed while the guys were taking their world tour to arenas around the globe -- from Mexico to Japan to London’s famed O2 arena -- the movie mixes high-energy performance footage, candid interviews, and behind the scenes footage to offer a one-of-a-kind perspective into the talent, hard work and mischief that goes into being One Direction. It’s a remarkable story of humble origins, an unprecedented rise to fame and a fan-driven phenomenon that enabled One Direction to conquer the world.

The film is directed by Academy Award-nominee Morgan Spurlock and produced by Simon Cowell, Adam Milano, Spurlock, and Ben Winston.

In the summer of 2010, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson entered Britain’s biggest talent show “The X Factor,” as talented individual artists. At the boot camp stage of the competition “X Factor” judge Simon Cowell offered the guys the opportunity to stay in the competition as a group.

“I saw five solo artists who were five solo stars, but would be stronger in a group, it was that simple,” says Cowell. “I liked each of them individually, and something made me think they would work really well as a group.”




Calling themselves One Direction, they were immediate sensations. A group of talented and cheeky guys who immediately captured a nation of young girls. They didn’t look or sound pre-packaged, they just exuded talent, friendship and charisma both on and off stage.

Says Cowell, “Right from the get-go, if I’d be honest … I was very much of the attitude, ‘I’m not gonna tell you what to do. You can probably tell me what to do,’ you know? ‘You’ve got to sort it out for yourself, ‘cause I think you’re smart enough.’ And that’s always been the way it’s worked with these boys. I had this just amazing confidence in them.”

Fans responded in their thousands, flooding social media, waiting for hours outside TV studios, and voting the boys through each round of the competition through to the grand final. Though they came in third overall on the show – narrowly missing the record deal awarded the first prize winner – the boys knew instinctively that this was not the last the world would see of One Direction.

That instinct to stay together instantly paid off. The band signed to their “X Factor” mentor Cowell’s record label, Syco Records and quickly got to work recording their debut album whilst performing across the UK and Ireland on the X Factor Live Tour. A book chronicling their experience on the road – Forever Young – went straight to number 1 on The Times Best Seller List. The album, meanwhile, was coming together with a stellar team of writers and producers, from Steve Mac (Westlife, Leona Lewis) to Rami Yacoub (Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys) and Red One (Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez).

The band’s debut album, Up All Night, released in October 2011, was an instant smash; a feat forecast by the fact that their first single, What Makes You Beautiful, had already become the biggest single pre-order in Sony Music’s history. In the United States, the boys sought North American success with a string of appearances and performances that not only turned What Makes You Beautiful into an iTunes hit, but led Up All Night to a feat never before achieved by a British band: entering the Billboard chart at number one with their debut record. With three MTV Video Music Awards, a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award (for Favorite UK artist), and three MTV Europe Music Awards (including Best New Act and Best UK & Ireland Act), it truly seemed there was no stopping their rise to the top.



The band’s sophomore album, Take Me Home turned 2012 into a banner year for the boys, hitting the top of pre-order charts in 50 countries. The album’s first single, Live While We’re Young, went straight to No. 1. All in all, Take Me Home topped the charts in 37 countries. The Take Me Home tour, which continued into 2013, was a global sellout, taking Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry, and Louis to Europe, North America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.

In July, they released Best Song Ever, a track written specifically for the film. The fun and cheeky video for the song (Directed by Ben Winston) broke records on VEVO with 12.4 million views in one day, making it the most viewed debut video ever on the platform.

Cowell says, “What I’ve loved about working with the boys is that they haven’t taken anything for granted, and they still appreciate and still are in awe of what’s going on. They’ve survived, and they’ll continue to survive because first of all, they’re smart, and secondly they understand their audience and respect their fans. They’ve matured really, really quickly.”

During the tour, though, the notion of a film came together, giving the boys a chance to conquer an entirely different medium.

Opening across the Philippines on August 28, “One Direction: This Is Us” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit the Columbia Pictures website to see the latest trailers, get free downloads and play free movie games.

source: gmanetwork.com