Harry Styles has been a household name since his initial appearance on The X Factor in 2010, and it is evident that the former One Direction member always possessed significant star potential, even while grappling with feelings of imposter syndrome.
An Unforgettable First Impression
Long before my first encounter with Harry Styles nearly fifteen years ago, I had a strong intuition that he and his One Direction bandmates were destined for something truly special. It was June 2011, and the five-piece group were still several months away from releasing their debut single, the chart-topping sensation What Makes You Beautiful.
As the editor of Top Of The Pops Magazine at the time, I was preparing for an extensive eight-hour photoshoot with One Direction for a special edition entirely dedicated to these future megastars. Producing magazines featuring celebrities who have not yet translated their buzz into concrete commercial success is virtually unheard of, but I already recognised that these young men, who first found fame through Simon Cowell's The X Factor, thoroughly deserved their place in the spotlight. Even then, there was a palpable sense that they would achieve astronomical success.
A Distinctive Presence
What I had not anticipated was that a seventeen-year-old Harry would enter the room that day already exuding an exceptional and distinctive presence. He stood out markedly from his four fellow band members and new-found companions – Louis, Liam, Zayn, and Niall.
Harry came across as remarkably approachable and conversational, yet also displayed a level of self-awareness, confidence, and maturity far beyond his years. He was never short of a witty remark or two for our writers and photographers throughout the day. When questioned about his celebrity crush, he very casually confessed: "It's Caroline Flack."
At that point, Caroline was presenting The X Factor's companion programme, The Xtra Factor. She was fifteen years his senior but would later become his girlfriend. Tragically, she took her own life in 2020 at the age of forty.
Recognising the Standout Star
Music journalist and former NME editor Mark Sutherland also observed how this particular One Direction member always distinguished himself from his bandmates. "There were plenty of signs he was the superstar among them, even if it wasn't immediately apparent," he recalls, reflecting on Harry's pivotal initial X Factor audition before judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, and Nicole Scherzinger.
"He initially got rejected as an individual performer, presumably because they felt he didn't have 'the X factor', which is ironic, as he proved to be the person who did," Mark observes.
Those who know him most intimately share similar perspectives, describing him with terms such as 'charming' (vocal coach Yvie Burnett), 'humble' (film critic James King), and even 'magnetic' (biographer Jordan Paramor).
Life After One Direction
Harry is not alone in seeking further fame after One Direction – indeed, all his bandmates pursued their own solo ventures with varying degrees of success. In October 2024, all were understandably devastated when Liam Payne died in a tragic fall from the balcony of an Argentinian hotel. Investigations into that heartbreaking incident are ongoing.
A Multifaceted Career and Lasting Impact
Harry now boasts an impressive portfolio including three successful albums, with a fourth titled Kiss All The Time on the way. He has also secured three major film roles and completed two record-shattering world tours. Tickets for his upcoming tour, Together Together, went on general sale recently, having already generated significant excitement during pre-sale events.
It is abundantly clear that he possesses considerable singing and acting talent, alongside being a remarkably gifted performer on both stage and screen. Additionally, he has cemented his status as a fashion icon and one of Britain's most generous philanthropists.
The Keys to Sustained Success
His ambition and capacity to diversify are undeniably key factors behind Harry's enormous success, according to PR expert Lauren Lunn-Farrow, founder of The Expert Agency. "He's broken into numerous areas outside of music including acting and fashion which have all showcased his star power and reinforce the fact he's hugely ambitious and pushes boundaries to break into new areas," she explains.
His refusal to buy into his own hype has also served him remarkably well. Lauren points out: "Something hugely admirable about him is that in a fickle industry he's known as being fiercely loyal, very down to earth and a true grafter."
Pop culture commentator Nick Ede echoes this sentiment, highlighting Harry's commitment to staying grounded whilst dedicating himself fully to his work and his supporters. "You don't get far in this industry as a diva, but Harry has always remained grounded," he notes. "He's well known in the industry as someone who works hard and puts 100 percent into every challenge."
Maintaining Characteristic Modesty
Yet, Harry himself maintains his characteristic modesty. During a 2022 interview, he spoke candidly about experiencing imposter syndrome – the persistent worry that someone might tap him on the shoulder and declare, "The jig is up. You're done now," bringing everything crashing down.
"My producer keeps asking me when I'm going to have my big breakdown," he confessed with a laugh. "The most honest version I can think of is, I didn't grow up in poverty by any means, but we didn't have much money, and I had an expectation of what I could achieve in life. I feel like everything else has been a bonus, and I am so lucky."
