Former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson has candidly revealed that he now finds it awkward to perform some of the band's more sexually charged songs as a man in his thirties. The pop star, who rose to global fame at just 18, says selecting tracks from the 1D back catalogue for his solo shows presents a unique challenge due to the explicit nature of some lyrics.
The Challenge of Growing Up with 1D's Catalogue
Speaking to Billboard, Tomlinson, now 34, explained the difficulty in curating his setlists. 'The biggest challenge is finding a lyric that feels all right to sing as a 34-year-old guy,' he admitted. 'And that’s actually not the easiest thing to do, because some of those One Direction lyrics are f*****g raunchy, man, proper!'
While the band is best known for family-friendly anthems like their 2011 debut 'What Makes You Beautiful', other hits contained less subtle themes. Their 2014 single 'No Control' includes the line: 'Taste on my tongue, I don’t want to wash away the night before'. Similarly, 2013's 'Alive' features the lyrics: 'Don’t know why I want to be with every girl I meet / I can’t control it, yeah I know it’s taking over me'.
Band Bonds Strengthened After Tragedy
In the same interview, Louis opened up about the profound impact of bandmate Liam Payne's tragic death in October 2024. Payne, aged 31, died after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, with alcohol and cocaine found in his system. Tomlinson reflected on how the loss has affected the dynamic between the remaining former members.
'Naturally, there is a closeness, it definitely feels closer than it was,' he stated, while acknowledging the complexities of maintaining relationships amidst busy schedules. 'But I think we’re all so busy, it’s hard to keep that consistency. It also depends person to person.' He highlighted his enduring connection with Niall Horan, noting they could 'not exchange a text in a whole year and then go for a beer and literally be chatting nonstop'.
Fans Convinced Girlfriend Zara McDermott is 'Here to Stay'
Meanwhile, Tomlinson's personal life has also been in the spotlight. His relationship with Love Island star and documentary-maker Zara McDermott, 29, appears to be going from strength to strength. Eagle-eyed fans were recently convinced of her long-term place in his life after she shared a Christmas vlog on YouTube.
Viewers spotted that a segment was filmed at a property belonging to Louis's grandparents, interpreting this as a significant step. One fan commented: 'Recording at Louis' grandparents' house to shush the weirdos, oh this queen is here to stay.' Further evidence came when Zara briefly showed her phone's home screen, which featured a loved-up picture of the couple.
The pair, who confirmed their relationship in August 2024 after dating from March, recently celebrated Zara's 29th birthday with a cosy weekend away. She described it as the 'best birthday ever', sharing snaps of winter walks, a roast dinner, and time spent with Louis's sister Lottie and friends. This new romance follows Zara's split from long-term boyfriend Sam Thompson in December 2024, after nearly five years together.
