One Direction Then & Now: Photos

One Direction is a popular British music group put together by the British version of ‘The X Factor’ in 2010. Check out some of their best then and now pics here.

July 23, 2024, marks the 14th anniversary of One Direction’s formation on The X Factor UK. Each member of the boy band—Harry Styles,Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik—originally auditioned for the singing competition as solo artists but were eliminated. However, Simon Cowell saw potential in them and brought them back to perform as a group. Although they finished in third place that season in 2010, the rest is history.

Their catchy songs, like “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Drag Me Down,” and “Story of My Life,” became instant hits. The band went on indefinite hiatus in 2016 after releasing Made in the A.M., following Zayn’s departure in 2015. Since then, they have thrived as solo artists, actors, and even fathers, in the cases of Liam, Zayn, and Louis.

In 2024, the band faced major devastation when former member Liam Payne died at the age of 31 in Argentina on October 16 after falling from the third floor of his hotel room. Just days before his death, he had attended a concert to see Niall perform during his tour stop in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Take a look back at the One Direction guys at the beginning of their career compared to now in this gallery.

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One Direction

The band first formed in 2010, and Zayn left in 2015, leading the entire group to go on indefinite hiatus in 2016.

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Niall Horan poses then and now

Niall Horan was first eliminated as a solo artist on ‘The X Factor’, but was given the opportunity to join four other guys as a group. The rest is history! Niall now heads a golf management company, Modest Golf, and embarked on a solo career in 2016. His 2018 album ‘Flicker’ was a major hit.

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Zayn Malik poses then and now

Zayn Malik split from One Direction in 2015, before the group disbanded, citing his desire to ‘be a normal 22-year-old.’ Zayn suffered from severe anxiety. His solo career skyrocketed with the release of his single ‘Pillowtalk’. He was also in a high-profile relationship with model Gigi Hadid, and continues to make solo music.

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Harry Styles poses then and now

Harry Styles released his self-titled album in 2017, and the lead single, ‘Sign of the Times’ was a huge hit. It was even named Single of the Year by ‘Rolling Stone’. Harry has continued to make glam rock, and started acting. He played a WWII soldier in ‘Dunkirk’, and was considered to play Elvis in the biopic. He was also rumored to be up for the role of Prince Eric’ in the new ‘The Little Mermaid’.

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Liam Payne poses then and now

Liam Payne released his debut single, “Strip That Down,” in 2017. He welcomed a son, Bear, that same year with then-girlfriend Cheryl, but they split the following year. In 2024, the “Teardrops” singer died after falling from the third floor of his hotel room in Argentina; he was 31 at the time of his death. According to autopsy reports obtained by Today, the Argentina Prosecutor’s Office noted that he suffered from “polytrauma and internal and external bleeding.” Additionally, “a series of substances were seized from the musician’s room, which would prove a previous situation of alcohol and drugs consumption.”

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Louis Tomlinson poses then and now

Louis Tomlinson released several singles as a solo artist, including ‘Back To You’ with Bebe Rexha and ‘Just Hold On’. Louis is also a footballer with the Doncaster Rovers, and formed his own record label called Triple Strings. He became a father in 2015 with the birth of his son, Freddie, whom he shares with ex Briana Jungwirth.