Louis Part 1

School and jobs.

Audio version:

At school, academically, I wasn’t necessarily great, I didn’t really put my mind to it, it was
more like things that… I enjoyed it socially, but it was more things that I really enjoyed that
kind of gave me the drive but other than that I could very easily be the class clown and just
do what I want you know.

Book version:

It’s no secret that I was a lively kid who loved performing. I always wanted to be the centre
of attention, the class clown if you like. I come from a big family and I loved to be in the
thick of everything that was going on. At school I wasn’t great, ‘cos I didn’t put my mind to
it. It was the same with my part-time jobs. I got sacked from them for being largely
disinterested. It was also the same with college. I hadn’t taken school very seriously because I
was just in it for the doss, but somehow I got through my GCSEs fine. Naturally, I thought
I’ll do the same at A Level, but as so many people find out to their cost, you can’t do that!

Side by side:

It’s no secret that I was a lively kid who loved performing. I always wanted to be the
centre of attention, the class clown if you like. I come from a big family and I loved to be
in the thick of everything that was going on. AT SCHOOL {academically} I
WASN’T {necessarily} GREAT, ‘cos I DIDN’T {really} PUT MY MIND TO IT {,it was
more like things that… I enjoyed socially, but it was more things that I really enjoyed that
kind of gave me the drive but other than that I could very easily be the class clown and just
do what I want you know.}. It was the same with my part-time jobs. I got sacked from
them for being largely disinterested. It was also the same with college. I hadn’t taken
school very seriously because I was just in it for the doss, but somehow I got through my
GCSEs fine. Naturally, I thought I’ll do the same at A Level, but as so many people find
out to their cost, you can’t do that!

Jay:

Audio version:

I think I’ve always had persistence, which I suppose I probably got from my mum, she
always encouraged me to do what I wanted to do, and you know, always just told me to give
it my best so that’s what I tried to do. My mum’s pretty ambitious to be fair, so I think that
kind of came through in the, in the family, I think I got a lot of qualities from her. My mum’s
pretty much the first person I go to for advice, you know, I have a great relationship with my
mum.

Book version:
One thing I definitely had, though, was persistence, I suppose get that from my mum, who
always encouraged me to do what I wanted. She’d always say, ‘Louis, just go for it, give it
your best shot!’ My mum’s pretty ambitious, to be fair I do get a lot of qualities from her. I
started noticing how things worked out well if I really pushed hard, so it became kind of a
self-fulfilling way of approaching my life. Once I set my mind on something I’m very
stubborn and really want to achieve that goal. I’ve proved to myself in so many instances in
life that persistence is very important, and I also think that’s a big part of our success in One
Direction.

Side by side:

One thing I{think I’ve always} definitely HAD, though, was PERSISTENCE, {which} I
SUPPOSE {I probably got}  get that FROM MY MUM, {she} who ALWAYS
ENCOURAGED ME TO DO WHAT I WANTED {to do, and you know, always just told me
to give it my best, so that’s what I tried to do.}. She’d always say, ‘Louis, just go for it, give
it your best shot!’ MY MUM’S PRETTY AMBITIOUS TO BE FAIR {so I think that kind
of came through in the, in the family, I think I got} I do get A LOT OF QUALITIES FROM
HER. {My mum’s pretty much the first person I go to for advice, you know, I have a great
relationship with my mum.} I started noticing how things worked out well if I really
pushed hard, so it became kind of a self-fulfilling way of approaching my life. Once I set
my mind on something I’m very stubborn and really want to achieve that goal. I’ve
proved to myself in so many instances in life that persistence is very important, and I
also think that’s a big part of our success in One Direction.

Travelling and friends:

Audio version:

Obviously being in One Direction means… you know, we can travel the world, I don’t
think… well I know wouldn’t have even been to America, nevermind all the places that
we’ve been at this age, so yeah, it’s amazing, I kind of… you know Doncaster is great but I
kind of wanted to see the world you know, and I’m lucky enough to have done that. And
often when I bring friends from home, you know, obviously I went to school with them. It’s
pretty surreal. The first time I brought my mate Oli out, he couldn’t believe that there was a
thing called room service where someone brings you food to your door, he was over the
moon so, you know, it’s great.

Book version:

Obviously being in One Direction means… I travel the world in a way that I could never
have thought possible when I was a kid, even though I was always keen to expand my
horizons beyond my hometown of Doncaster. All through my teenage years, teachers used to
ask me what plans I had for a career and I’d say, ‘I kind of assume I’ll head off to university
and after that probably become a teacher, or maybe do something with sport somewhere’. I
loved where I lived, but I was very aware that there weren’t necessarily too many
opportunities in Doncaster – so I might have to move on somewhere else. Never in a million
years would I have expected to be travelling as much as I do now, though!

Side by side:
OBVIOUSLY BEING IN ONE DIRECTION MEANS… {you know, we can,} I TRAVEL
THE WORLD in a way that I could never have thought possible when I was a kid, even
though I was always keen to expand my horizons beyond my hometown of Doncaster.
All through my teenage years, teachers used to ask me what plans I had for a career
and I’d say, ‘I kind of assume I’ll head off to university and after that probably become
a teacher, or maybe do something with sport somewhere’. I loved where I lived, but I
was very aware that there weren’t necessarily too many opportunities in Doncaster – so
I might have to move on somewhere else. Never in a million years would I have expected
to be travelling as much as I do now, though!{I don’t think… well I know wouldn’t have
even been to America, nevermind all the places that we’ve been at this age, so yeah, it’s
amazing, I kind of… you know Doncaster is great but I kind of wanted to see the world you
know, and I’m lucky enough to have done that. And often when I bring friends from home,
you know, obviously I went to school with them. It’s pretty surreal. The first time I brought
my mate Oli out, he couldn’t believe that there was a thing called room service where
someone brings you food to your door, he was over the moon so, you know, it’s great.}

Louis Part 2
The X Factor:

Audio version:

For me the whole X Factor thing went so quick. It was an amazing experience but it all just
seems like a blur now. We definitely enjoyed it but obviously it was so serious at that time as
well, even when tried our hardest to be sensible and mature we don’t do a very good job so I
think it kind of keeps you sane you know but it all just seems like a blur now.

Book version:

For me the whole X Factor ride went so fast. It was an amazing experience but because it was
also such a blur, when you look back and reflect on those times it kinda feels like it’s hard to
do it justice because so much happened in such a small stretch of time. That entire phase of
my life was just the most incredible period. When I try and think back to the house and all the
things that went on, I can recall some of those moments but I know I’ve forgotten loads
more! If I had a kid who fancied having a go at The X Factor, I’d definitely recommend that
show because there’s nothing else out there that offers people that kind of an opportunity. I
was just a kid from a little school. I took my chance – and here I am. So, if it can happen to
me…

Side by side:

FOR ME THE WHOLE X FACTOR {thing} ride WENT SO {quick} fast. IT WAS AN

AMAZING EXPERIENCE BUT {it all just seems like} because it was also such A
BLUR {now}, when you look back and reflect on those times it kinda feels like it’s hard
to do it justice because so much happened in such a small stretch of time. That entire
phase of my life was just the most incredible period. When I try and think back to the
house and all the things that went on, I can recall some of those moments but I know
I’ve forgotten loads more! If I had a kid who fancied having a go at The X Factor, I’d
definitely recommend that show because there’s nothing else out there that offers people
that kind of an opportunity. I was just a kid from a little school. I took my chance – and
here I am. So, if it can happen to me… {We definitely enjoyed it but obviously it was so
serious at that time as well, even when tried our hardest to be sensible and mature we don’t
do a very good job so I think it kind of keeps you sane you know but it all just seems like a
blur now.}

Adapting to the lifestyle and touring:

Audio version:

You know we were all very young, and to… we, we had a life of no responsibility, I mean I
certainly didn’t at school, you know, I wasn’t really working too hard and I was just enjoying
myself and then all of the sudden you get taken away and, and like bang, you’re in this, in
this lifestyle and, and it is very alienating and touring specifically moving on to countries, to
countries, to different hotels. It’s hard, it’s hard to get your head around at first and I think for
our families in particular it was tough, because you know normally I suppose our mums
would know that their child might be going to university at eighteen and they can prepare for
that moment, but we were kind of just, you know went for the X Factor and it was an
opportunity and then everything just, you know, went from there. So I think it was, it was
hard for our families to get their head around, probably more so than us, you know we were
just in the world wind and just, and just loving it but touring is definitely the best part, so you
know, it is hard being away from, from your family and from your friends but that’s why it’s
great having the other boys there, ‘cause you’ve got mates there.

Book version:

Not in the book.

Side by side:

{You know we were all very young, and to… we, we had a life of no responsibility, I mean I
certainly didn’t at school, you know, I wasn’t really working too hard and I was just enjoying
myself and then all of the sudden you get taken away and, and like bang, you’re in this, in
this lifestyle and, and it is very alienating and touring specifically moving on to countries, to
countries, to different hotels. It’s hard, it’s hard to get your head around at first and I think
for our families in particular it was tough, because you know normally I suppose our mums
would know that their child might be going to university at eighteen and they can prepare for
that moment, but we were kind of just, you know went for the X Factor and it was an
opportunity and then everything just, you know, went from there. So I think it was, it was
hard for our families to get their head around, probably more so than us, you know we were
just in the world wind and just, and just loving it but touring is definitely the best part, so you
know, it is hard being away from, from your family and from your friends but that’s why it’s
great having the other boys there, ‘cause you’ve got mates there.} Yes I am taking the piss,
because this is ridiculous.

Recording the first album I:

Audio version:
Recording our first album was such a surreal experience because obviously you have no idea
what to expect, especially being a lad from Donny, if you don’t know, not many people from
Donny recorded many albums but anyway, but that trip was kind of a lot of ‘firsts’ for us
‘cause, you know, a lot of us hadn’t been to different countries before, they’ve never been
abroad, I’d only ever been to France so it was, you know, a lot of new experiences and it was
amazing, it was a great time for us as a band then, definitely.

Book version:

Recording our début album was very interesting because it was an experience filled with
‘firsts’ for some of us For a start, even flying to various countries was something that not all
of us had done. I’d been on a plane when I was four, but mostly I’d only ever been to France
on holiday every other year – and even then we used to get the ferry over. I’d never been
anywhere like LA. It was a world away from my home, obviously. A few of my mates had
been to Disney World in Florida, but we never did that when I was a kid. So you can imagine
that LA was a bit of a culture shock for a 19-year-old lad from Doncaster.

Side by side:

RECORDING OUR {first} début ALBUM WAS {such a surreal experience} very

interesting BECAUSE it was an experience filled with {obviously you have no idea what to
expect, especially being a lad from Donny, if you don’t know, not many people from Donny
recorded many albums but anyway, but that trip was kind of a lot of} ‘FIRSTS’
FOR some of US {‘cause, you know, a lot of us hadn’t been to different countries before,
they’ve never been abroad} For a start, even flying to various countries was something
that not all of us had done. I’d been on a plane when I was four, but mostlyI’D ONLY
EVER BEEN TO FRANCE on holiday every other year – and even then we used to get
the ferry over. I’d never been anywhere like LA. It was a world away from my home,
obviously. A few of my mates had been to Disney World in Florida, but we never did
that when I was a kid. So you can imagine that LA was a bit of a culture shock for a 19-
year-old lad from Doncaster.{so it was, you know, a lot of new experiences and it was
amazing, it was a great time for us as a band then, definitely.}

Louis Part 3
Recording the first album II:

Audio version:

Those early recording sessions were like a strange contrast for me because I went through the
whole of The X Factor and didn’t have a solo and, and that, that was tough for me because
from, from going to school and, and like I say, liking to be the centre of attention, and that, it
was, it was a, it was a big different kind of lifestyle change in a way, I don’t mean that in an
arrogant way, you know, it was just completely different, which was, which was hard to do,
and there was often times you know, when I’d stand there and wonder how much the
comments were relevant to me, because my contribution to the band in my opinion at that
time was so small, so, you know, obviously I was delighted to be in the band, it was an
amazing opportunity, but on the X Factor I did have a little bit of struggle, and that’s why,
you know, when it came around to recording the album and I, it’s only really been since
probably Midnight Memories that album that I felt comfortable with my, with my voice, so
it’s just all been like a learning curve from there really, but sometimes on stage I might feel,
or I have been in the past, especially this tour I feel much more confident, you know it can be
an intimidating thing, especially at the start when it was so alien to us, but it’s kind of good to
learn about that side of it and come to the other end, you, I’m very very happy now.

Book version (prepare to cringe):

Those early recording sessions were a time of strange contrast as well, though. I’m generally
a very confident person and enjoy feeling positive about experiences. So it might surprise you
to hear that away from the incredibly exciting events that were sweeping over the band
seemingly every day – or at times every hour – I was actually struggling with issues of self-
confidence. Like I say, that might seem a bit of an odd thing to say for someone who’s known
for having bagfuls of confidence – which I do have, I admit – but I’m just being honest with
you. Let me explain.

For the whole of The X Factor I didn’t have a solo. As you know I like being the centre of
attention – I don’t mind admitting that. So being the ultimate fringe was a tough pill for
someone who likes the limelight to swallow at first. During the show we’d do a performance
and then stand in front of the judges. They’d be saying all this stuff about our vocals or
whatever, but I’d just be listening to Cheryl or Simon or whoever and thinking, That isn’t
really directed at me anyway is it?

When we got to the recording sessions for the first album that situation deteriorated, to be
honest. Obviously, the début sessions in LA and Sweden were exciting and also very
challenging. I’d never been in a recording studio before, so when we got there it was
massively intimidating. I was less confident about my vocal ability than some of the other
lads in the band. In fact, at times I was terrified and didn’t have any confidence at all. It’s
such a random thing: you enter a booth with these high-profile producers who you’ve never
met before and they’re like, ‘Okay, Louis, sing!’ Normally, I’d be a little apprehensive, but
my confidence would pull me through and I’d just have a go. But there was something deeper
going on behind those nerves.

I’m being really frank and honest with you here. That period was actually really tough. I was
clearly delighted to be in the band and have this amazing opportunity, but at the same time I
was struggling. It took me a while to find my place in One Direction. In fact, to begin with, I
couldn’t really understand why I was even in the band. That really ate me up at the start. Big
time. I can say that was easily the hardest single period for me in One Direction. That was a
real low – that feeling of not having a purpose, of just being taken along for the ride without
really being a part of it. I did feel really isolated and vulnerable.

Side by side:

THOSE EARLY RECORDING SESSIONS WERE A TIME OF STRANGE CONTRAST as

well, though. I’m generally a very confident person and enjoy feeling positive about
experiences. So it might surprise you to hear that away from the incredibly exciting
events that were sweeping over the band seemingly every day – or at times every hour –
I was actually struggling with issues of self-confidence. Like I say, that might seem a bit
of an odd thing to say for someone who’s known for having bagfuls of confidence –
which I do have, I admit – but I’m just being honest with you. Let me explain.
{for me because I went through} For THE WHOLE OF THE X FACTOR{and} I DIDN’T
HAVE A SOLO. {and that, and that was tough for me because from, from going to school
and, and like I say, liking to be}  As you know I like being THE CENTRE OF
ATTENTION – I don’t mind admitting that. So being the ultimate fringe was a tough
pill for someone who likes the limelight to swallow at first.{and that, it was, it was a, it
was a big different kind of lifestyle change in a way, I don’t mean that in an arrogant way,
you know, it was just completely different, which was, which was hard to do, and there was
often times you know, when I’d}  During the show we’d do a performance and
then STAND {there and wonder how much of the comments were relevant to me, because
my contribution to the band in my opinion at that time was so small, so, you know} in front
of the judges. They’d be saying all this stuff about our vocals or whatever, but I’d just
be listening to Cheryl or Simon or whoever and thinking, That isn’t really directed at me
anyway is it?

When we got to the recording sessions for the first album that situation deteriorated, to
be honest. Obviously, the début sessions in LA and Sweden were exciting and also very
challenging. I’d never been in a recording studio before, so when we got there it was
massively intimidating. I was less confident about my vocal ability than some of the
other lads in the band. In fact, at times I was terrified and didn’t have any confidence at
all. It’s such a random thing: you enter a booth with these high-profile producers who
you’ve never met before and they’re like, ‘Okay, Louis, sing!’ Normally, I’d be a little
apprehensive, but my confidence would pull me through and I’d just have a go. But
there was something deeper going on behind those nerves.

I’m being really frank and honest with you here. That period was actually really
tough. {obviously} I WAS clearly DELIGHTED TO BE IN THE BANDr {it was an} and
have this AMAZING OPPORTUNITY, BUT {on the X Factor I did have a bit of a struggle
and that’s why, you know, when it came around to recording the album and I… it’s only
really been since probably Midnight Memories, that album, that I felt comfortable with my,
with my voice, so it’s just all been like a learning curve from there really, but sometimes on
stage I might fee, or I have been in the past, especially this tour, I feel much more confident,
you know, it can be an intimidating thing, especially at the start when it was so alien to us,
but it’s kind of good to learn about that side of it and come to the other end, you know, I’m
very very happy now.} at the same time I was struggling. It took me a while to find my
place in One Direction. In fact, to begin with, I couldn’t really understand why I was
even in the band. That really ate me up at the start. Big time. I can say that was easily
the hardest single period for me in One Direction. That was a real low – that feeling of
not having a purpose, of just being taken along for the ride without really being a part
of it. I did feel really isolated and vulnerable.

Social media:

Audio version:

You know What makes you beautiful was obviously a great start for us but, but even before
that there was so much work that got into social media and our fans literally, you know, like
little super fans trying to spread the word across the world and it’s pretty amazing, I hope that
they realise just how much of an influence they’ve had, you know, from, from, from the start,
because, yeah, it all happened through them, through social media. I mean, it’s hard to put
into words, you know, the level of importance, ‘cause I just feel like, you hear so many
people say, you know ‘our fans are amazing’ or ‘the best in the world’, we can’t, we, we
really seriously couldn’t stress enough just how incredible our fans are, and, you know, they
only need to look at our, our stats and that’s all thanks to them, and I hope that they give
themselves a pat on the back because it’s a, it’s a partnership between the two of us.

Book version:

(…) ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ really was the start for us. When it went straight into the
charts at Number 1 we knew we were in for a mad ride ahead.

From then on it just took off even more quickly and absolutely massively. Of course, I’d like
to think we worked hard and played our part – that exciting first series of Pas and all that
early promo didn’t do themselves – but I also have to acknowledge the role of social media in
what went on. There’s no doubt that without that our career would be nowhere near where it
is now. Social media gave us a massive head start. We get mentioned alongside some pretty
amazing names in the music business because of the success we’ve enjoyed, and we’ve
worked really hard for that, for sure. At the same time, I can see how much harder it must
have been for bands like The Beatles to go out and physically promote themselves by gigging
all over the world without people passing on the word through social media.

Side by side:

{You know} (…) ‘WHAT MAKES YOU BEAUTIFUL’ really WAS {obviously} A
GREAT the START FOR US. When it went straight into the charts at Number 1 we
knew we were in for a mad ride ahead.

From then on it just took off even more quickly and absolutely massively. Of course, I’d
like to think we worked hard and played our part – that exciting first series of PAs and
all that early promo didn’t do themselves – BUT {even before that there was also so much
work that got into} I also have to acknowledge the role of SOCIAL MEDIA {and our fans
trying to spread the word across the world and it’s pretty amazing, I hope that they realise
just how much of an influence they’ve had, you know, from, from, from the start, because,
yeah, it all happened through them, through social media. I mean, it’s hard to put into words,
you know, the level of importance, ‘cause I just feel like, you hear so many people say, you
know ‘our fans are amazing’ or ‘the best in the world’, we can’t, we, we really seriously
couldn’t stress enough just how incredible our fans are, and, you know, they only need to
look at our, our stats and that’s all thanks to them, and I hope that they give themselves a pat
on the back because it’s a, it’s a partnership between the two of us.} in what went on.
There’s no doubt that without that our career would be nowhere near where it is now.
Social media gave us a massive head start. We get mentioned alongside some pretty
amazing names in the music business because of the success we’ve enjoyed, and we’ve
worked really hard for that, for sure. At the same time, I can see how much harder it
must have been for bands like The Beatles to go out and physically promote themselves
by gigging all over the world without people passing on the word through social media.

Louis Part 4
Theatre tour:
Audio version:

We had our first UK tour in theatres which was brilliant because obviously straight off the
back of The X Factor we needed to learn, and, and it was, it was a great platform for that and,
and you know, some of those intimate gigs are some of the best gigs that we’ve done, they…
we really do have some great memories, but we needed that kind of progression and we
needed to, to learn as a band and to get to arenas, you know, so, we love touring, there’s
nothing better to do as an artist than to take your music all over the world so we’re blessed to
be able to do that.

Book version:

The first tour in the UK was brilliant. It was a clever decision to go with theatres, not arenas.
We wanted to experience a relatively normal progression, and we needed to learn. Yes, we’d
done the X Factor tour and that had played in some arenas – which had given us a feel for
that larger scale – but we were only doing four songs each night then, so now we definitely
needed the theatre tour to find our feet and build our confidence. Jumping into arenas would
have been stupid. We would have learnt, I guess, but I think a theatre tour first was the
perfect way to go about it.

Side by side:

{We had our} The FIRST TOUR IN THE UK {in theatres which} WAS

BRILLIANT {because obviously straight off the back of The X Factor}. It was a clever
decision to go with theatres, not arenas. We wanted to experience a relatively normal
progression, and we needed to learn. {and, and it was, it was a great platform for that and,
and you know, some of those intimate gigs are some of the best gigs that we’ve done, they…
we really do have some great memories, but we needed that kind of progression and we
needed to, to learn as a band and to get to arenas, you know, so, we love touring, there’s
nothing better to do as an artist than to take your music all over the world so we’re blessed
to be able to do that.} Yes, we’d done the X Factor tour and that had played in some
arenas – which had given us a feel for that larger scale – but we were only doing four
songs each night then, so now we definitely needed the theatre tour to find our feet and
build our confidence. Jumping into arenas would have been stupid. We would have
learnt, I guess, but I think a theatre tour first was the perfect way to go about it.

Mattresses prank:

Audio version:

I think on the first tour, I remember quite clearly we were, we got the mattresses out of one of
the hotel rooms and was trying to ride them down the stairs and a couple of the boys were a
bit tense and worried that we might get told off, you won’t get that now, they’d be straight
down.

Book version:

Not in the book. They put another prank…

Their expectations:
Audio version:

Our expectations… in America we were very modest I remember we had a discussion of

where we’d like the album to chart and we said ‘top 40, top 20 would be amazing’. Because
you know you look back at the past and it’s so hard to get into America so we wouldn’t have
any other expectations really other than that. We went to tour with Big Time Rush and I
remember we had a chat with our management and they, they were like, ‘this isn’t your show
so you need to be aware that they might not know the songs, you might not get that great a
reaction, blah blah blah’ and like, you know, we were like, nervous going into the show ‘well
this is going to be different whatever’ and then that was, that was one of the most amazing
gigs, ‘cause we walked out and we performed, I think we did six songs, and even on the
album tracks they were singing along, and it was just, we just completely weren’t prepared
for that, you know. ‘Cause there’s only so much twitter can tell you, really, you know, and,
and, and just experiencing that was, yeah, it was, it was shocking, in a good way.

Book version:

Even though in the UK the band was attracting a lot of attention, our expectations in the US
were much more modest. Our social media following was big by this point, but this didn’t
necessarily guarantee anything. Or so we thought. There was a lot of discussion before the
Big Time Rush tour of managing our expectations, of not getting carried away. Before those
first shows in the States we’d had a solid talk from management. They said, ‘Look, it’s not
your show, this isn’t the UK. Most of the people here will be there for Big Time Rush and
they won’t know any of your songs. They might know the singles, but just be prepared for a
pretty muted reception. You need to be realistic.’

Well, we went out on stage on the first night as the support band and the place went
completely mental. At various points during the show, I’d wander over to each of the lads in
turn and say, ‘Can you believe what’s happening here?’ We were all just bewildered. The
reception was just ten times better than we could ever imagined. No, a hundred times better!
It was an amazing reaction. It was also a bit awkward because we were on that tour as guests
of Big Time Rush – and they were great guys. They worked really hard and were really
lovely to all of us, total gentlemen.

Side by side:

Even though in the UK the band was attracting a lot of attention, OUR

EXPECTATIONS IN the US {America we}  WERE much more {very} MODEST {I
remember we had a discussion of where were’d like the album to chart and we said ‘Top 40,
Top 20 would be amazing.’ Because you know, you look back at the past and it’s so hard to
get into America so we wouldn’t have any other expectations really other than that.}. Our
social media following was big by this point, but this didn’t necessarily guarantee
anything. Or so we thought. There was a lot of discussion before the {We went on tour
with} BIG TIME RUSH tour of managing our expectations, of not getting carried away.
Before those first shows in the States we’d had a solid talk from {and we had a solid talk
with our}MANAGEMENT. {and they,} THEY {were like}said,‘Look, it’s not{‘this
isn’t} YOUR SHOW, this isn’t the UK. Most of the people here will be there for Big
Time Rush and so you need to be aware that} THEY {might not} won’t KNOW any of
your {the} SONGS {,you might not get that great a reaction, blah, blah, blah’ and like, you
know, we were like, nervous, going into the show, ‘well this is going to be different
whatever’, and then that was, that was one of the most amazing gigs, ‘cause we walked out
and we performed, I think we did six songs, and even on the album tracks they were singing
along, and it was just, we just completely weren’t prepared for that, you know. ‘Cause
there’s only so much twitter can tell you, you know, and, and, and just experiencing that was,
yeah, it was, it was shocking, in a good way.}. They might know the singles, but just be
prepared for a pretty muted reception. You need to be realistic.’

Well, we went out on stage on the first night as the support band and the place went
completely mental. At various points during the show, I’d wander over to each of the
lads in turn and say, ‘Can you believe what’s happening here?’ We were all just
bewildered. The reception was just ten times better than we could ever imagined. No, a
hundred times better! It was an amazing reaction. It was also a bit awkward because we
were on that tour as guests of Big Time Rush – and they were great guys. They worked
really hard and were really lovely to all of us, total gentlemen.

First glance at the charts:

Audio version:

Coming off The X Factor we thought ‘okay, we’re going in for a career’, but we only really
would think about the UK, because you know, there’s always that ‘one step at a time’ kind of
thing. And, overseas isn’t really coming to my mind, even though we’d done some press trips
over there we actually did, ah… I think four countries in four days, which is manic, it was
only really at the release of the album and then, you know, seeing where it fared in different
countries that it was the real wake up call, you know ‘here’s the proof, it’s, it is pretty big’.

Book version:

The culmination of all this promo and gigging was when our début album went to Number 2
in the UK and Number 1 in 17 countries. That was just mad. For me, I’d only really thought
about how we might do in the UK - my home country, and where I was looking to succeed.
Overseas hadn’t really come into my mind, even though we’d done these press trips. Looking
back, this was the first time we sensed that something was going on worldwide. It was a
major wake-up call, as I suddenly saw that the band’s potential might off the scale. I, for one,
hadn’t even thought about that.

Side by side:

{Coming off The X Factor we thought ‘okay, we’re going in for a career, but we only really
would think} The culmination of all this promo and gigging was when our début album
went to Number 2 in the UK and Number 1 in 17 countries. That was just mad. For me,
I’d only really thought ABOUT how we might do in THE UK {because, you know, there’s
always that ‘one step at a time’ kind of thing. And,} - my home country, and where I was
looking to succeed. OVERSEAS hadn’t {isn’t} REALLY {coming to} come into MY
MIND, even though WE’D DONE {some} these PRESS TRIPS {over there we actually did,
ah… I think four countries in four days, which is manic}. Looking back, this was the first
time we sensed that something was going on worldwide. It was a major wake-up call, as
I suddenly saw that the band’s potential might off the scale. I, for one, hadn’t even
thought about that. {it was only really at the release of the album and then, you know,
seeing where it fared in different countries that it was the real wake up call, you know,
‘here’s the proof, it’s, it is pretty big’.}

New York:

Audio version:

Eighteen months after The X Factor and, all of the sudden there’s thousands of people, we’re
in New York, and I’ve been to New York, and there’s thousands of people that are screaming
and I could give you some rubbish about me sitting there, you know, reflecting, thinking, but,
but really, it’s too hard to comprehend and it’s, it’s something that, that’s, all these crazy
things that are happening, of course you appreciate them but it’s impossible, because how
could you relate to that? nobody can you know, so it’s, it’s almost easier to just enjoy it and
just go with it, because the more you think about it, the more it’s like ‘wow this is insane’.

Book version:

I’m often asked how I processed what was going on at this point. Like I said, we were less
than 18 months out of The X Factor, and now thousands of people were screaming at us in a
street in New York. I could give you some rubbish about sitting back and reflecting calmly,
putting it all in perspective and understanding the contex. But the simple, honest answer is
that you just go with it. You can’t really comprehend it all. It’s almost like you have got this
shield up, and no matter what people tell you and how amazing the events around you are,
you’re really just kinda caught up in the bubble. You go with the ride and it’s all you can do
to take one day at a time. Literally, that’s what I used to say - ‘OK, let’s do today. Then let’s
work through tomorrow. One day at a time.’

Side by side:

I’m often asked how I processed what was going on at this point. Like I said, we were
less than 18 MONTHS {after} out of THE X FACTOR, AND {all of the sudden there’s}
now THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE {,we’re in New York, and I’ve been to} were screaming at
us in a street in NEW YORK {, and there’s thousands of people that are screaming and}. I
COULD GIVE YOU SOME RUBBISH ABOUT ME SITTING {there, you know} back and
REFLECTING calmly, putting it all in perspective and understanding the context. But
the simple, honest answer is that you just go with it {thinking, but, but really it’s too hard
to}. You can’t really COMPREHEND {and it’s, it’s something that, that’s, all this crazy
things that are happening, of course you appreciate them but it’s impossible, because how
could you relate to that? nobody can you know, so} it all. IT’S ALMOST {easier to just
enjoy it and just} like you have got this shield up, and no matter what people tell you and
how amazing the events around you are, you’re really just kinda caught up in the
bubble. You GO WITH {it, because the more you think about it, the more it’s like ‘wow this
is insane.’} the ride and it’s all you can do to take one day at a time. Literally, that’s
what I used to say - ‘OK, let’s do today. Then let’s work through tomorrow. One day at
a time.’

Louis Part 5
First trip back home:
Audio version:

We were recording in LA and we, we flew back to Heathrow and there was just this mass
amount of, of fans and it was just crazy to, to see because you know, we’d, we’d seen
crowds, you know, outside where we were and stuff, but never to that kind of level and it felt
a little bit aggressive, I think it kind of got me hoody ripped off from me. Then they, I
remember they dragged us into this like, tiny office with some like, police officers and we
were like, all inside and all the fans are outside surrounding it, banging on the walls, yeah…
it was, it was pretty intense. It definitely made us think ‘okay, you know there’s, there’s some
proper support here and we were very excited in the car home.

Book version:

LA was crazy, but not as nuts as when we landed back at Heathrow. Luckily for us, really
early on in our career we’d seen fans outside studios and hotels, maybe a hundred or
sometimes even two hundred, so we were kinda expecting a few faces at the airport. But what
greeted us was just this mass of people, a sea of fans going completely mad. I was like, ‘Jeez,
is this for real?’ We’d not seen anything like that before and the fact it was in England made
it feel all the more special. I remember I got my hoody sleeve ripped clean off, so I just
dumped it and I told myself. Keep running! Then these police officers said, ‘Lads, over here,
get in here!’ and we were dragged into a tiny office, but all these fans were surrounding it and
banging on the walls and windows. It was so intense.

Eventually, we made our get-away and once we’d got out of there and were sitting in this
police van, we just sat there looking at each other. You could see we were all shell-shocked –
our faces were just saying, ‘What the hell just happened there, lads?’ Looking back, that was
the first sign that the hysteria could get seriously out of control. It was a real shock to the
system.

Side by side:

{We were recording in} LA was crazy, but not as nuts as when we landed BACK {to} at
HEATHROW. Luckily for us, really early on in our career we’d seen fans outside
studios and hotels, maybe a hundred or sometimes even two hundred, so we were kinda
expecting a few faces at the airport. But what greeted us {and there} WAS JUST THIS
MASS {amount of,} of people, a sea OF FANS {and it was just crazy to, to see because you
know, we’d, we’d seen crowds, you know, outside where were were and stuff, but never to
that kind of level and it felt a little bit aggressive,} going completely mad. I was like, ‘Jeez,
is this for real?’ We’d not seen anything like that before and the fact it was in England
made it feel all the more special. I remember I got my {I think it kind of got me} HOODY
sleeve RIPPED clean OFF {from me}, so I just dumped it and I told myself. Keep
running! Then these police officers said, ‘Lads, over here, get in here!’ and we
were {Then they, I remember they} DRAGGED {us} INTO a {this like} TINY OFFICE,
{with some like, police officers and we were like, all inside and} but ALL these {the} FANS
were {are outside} SURROUNDING IT and BANGING ON THE WALLS and
windows. {yeah, it was,} IT WAS {pretty} so INTENSE.

{It definitely made us think ‘okay, you know, there’s some proper support here and we were
very excited in the car home.} Eventually, we made our get-away and once we’d got out of
there and were sitting in this police van, we just sat there looking at each other. You
could see we were all shell-shocked – our faces were just saying, ‘What the hell just
happened there, lads?’ Looking back, that was the first sign that the hysteria could get
seriously out of control. It was a real shock to the system.

The Olympics:

Audio version:

The Olympics were in London which was an amazing thing anyway and to be involved with
that was, was incredible. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so much honour really too, and just to be
involved in such an amazing thing, you know. And I always think you know, it must be
amazing for a football fan to put on an England shirt and represent his country, and it almost
felt like a little bit like we were representing our country there at the Olympics, and yeah it
was it’s, that feeling in particular is like no other really, very very proud moment.

Book version:

That summer we also did the Olympics, which really was a privilege. I mainly remember an
overwhelming sense of honour. I always think it’s amazing doing what we do in One
Direction, but as a football fan I think pulling on an England shirt to compete for your
country must also be incredible. It’s got to be the best feeling,and by singing at the Olympics
it almost felt a little bit like we were doing that – representing Great Britain. It was just a real
honour.

Side by side:

That summer we also did THE OLYMPICS, {were in London} WHICH {was an amazing

thing anyway and to be involved with that was, was incredible. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so
much} really was a privilege. I mainly remember an overwhelming sense of HONOUR.
{really too, and just to be involved in such an amazing thing, you know. And I always think
you know, it must be amazing for a} I always think it’s amazing doing what we do in One
Direction, but as a FOOTBALL FAN {to put} I think pulling ON AN ENGLAND
SHIRT {and represent his} to compete for your COUNTRY must also be incredible. It’s
got to be the best feeling,and by singing at the Olympics {and} IT ALMOST FELT {like}
A LITTLE BIT LIKE WE WERE doing that – REPRESENTING {our country there at the
Olympics, and yeah, it was it’s, that feeling in particular is like no other really, very very
proud moment.} Great Britain. It was just a real honour.

David Beckham:

Audio version:

Obviously I’m a massive football fan and I’ve always idolised David Beckham, I just think
he’s the coolest guy ever. Two or three of the lads met him before me, and they had pictures
with him, right? And I just saw all these pictures on twitter and I was like ‘what’s going on
boys? Would have loved to have met David, you know? Becks,’ but anyway I did get to meet
him in the end, I went to the Class of 92 world premiere and, I’m just, I’m rubbish. I was
trying to be cool but, you just can’t. I mean what do you say that’s remotely impressive to
David Beckham? You know, It’s uh… But genuinely with like, celebrities I don’t… as a, as a
band I don’t think we’re that good. Often at awards ceremonies we’re kind of sat there and
feeling like the new kids at school like, like, Rihanna might be sitting in front of us and we’ll
be like ‘oh, it’s Rihanna there’ you know, it’s just, it’s still very hard to believe for us.

Book version:

As a massive footy obsessive I’ve got to mention David Beckham too. He’s the only person
that I’d sand in a queue for days to see. People ask about which bands I’d line up to meet, but
none come anywhere near Beckham for me. He’s such an icon, and for me, as a kid growing
up in Doncaster playing football, I just thought he was incredible. Still do.

Anyway, get this, right. The first time he was around the band no one told me and I missed
him altogether! I went bonkers and was proper gutted. There were some crossed wires where
various crew members thought someone else had told me he was about, but in the end I
completely missed him. I heard he was about so I asked where, and one of the crew said, ‘Oh,
sorry, Louis, he’s gone now, mate’. I was gutted. ‘Are you taking the mick? David Beckham
was here and I was just sat in the trailer on the PlayStation?’ Fortunately, we later got invited
to the film première for Class of ’92 produced by our friend Ben Winston, and David
Beckham was there again. This time I got to meet him and he was lovely. I thought about to
trying to play it cool, but it’s so hard around someone like that. So in the end I just kept fairly
quiet. Fair play to him. He always carries himself with such style, and I heard he’s made a
few dollars! I just look at him and can’t do anything but admire how he handles himself. I
think he must be wired up differently to me because I wouldn’t be able to be in the public eye
for over 20 years.

Side by side:

{Obviously I’m} As A MASSIVE {football fan and I’ve always idolised} footy obsessive
I’ve got to mention DAVID BECKHAM {I just think he’s the coolest guy ever.} too. He’s
the only person that I’d sand in a queue for days to see. People ask about which bands
I’d line up to meet, but none come anywhere near Beckham for me. He’s such an icon,
and for me, as a kid growing up in Doncaster playing football, I just thought he was
incredible. Still do.

{Two or three of the lads met him before me, and they had pictures with him, right? And I
just saw all these pictures on twitter and I was like ‘what’s going on boys? Would have loved
to meet David, you know’ Becks, but} ANYWAY, get this, right. The first time he was
around the band no one told me and I missed him altogether! I went bonkers and was
proper gutted. There were some crossed wires where various crew members thought
someone else had told me he was about, but in the end I completely missed him. I heard
he was about so I asked where, and one of the crew said, ‘Oh, sorry, Louis, he’s gone
now, mate’. I was gutted. ‘Are you taking the mick? David Beckham was here and I was
just sat in the trailer on the PlayStation?’ {I did get to meet him in the end, I went to the}
Fortunately, we later got invited to the film première for CLASS OF ‘92 {world premiere
and} produced by our friend Ben Winston, and David Beckham was there again. This
time I got to meet him and he was lovely. {I’m just, I’m rubbish, I was} I thought about to
TRYING TO {be} play it COOL, BUT {you just can’t. I mean what do you say that’s
remotely impressive to David Beckham? You know, it’s uh…} it’s so hard around someone
like that. So in the end I just kept fairly quiet. Fair play to him. He always carries
himself with such style, and I heard he’s made a few dollars! I just look at him and can’t
do anything but admire how he handles himself. I think he must be wired up differently
to me because I wouldn’t be able to be in the public eye for over 20 years. {But genuinely
with like, celebrities I don’t… as a, as a band I don’t think we’re that good. often at awards
ceremonies we’re kind of sat there and feeling like the new kids at school like, like, Rihanna
might be sitting in front of us and we’ll be like ‘oh, it’s Rihanna there’ you know, it’s just, it’s
still very hard to believe for us.}

Louis part 6
Awards ceremonies:

Audio version:

There was a few different things um… like awards ceremonies that I had not really heard of,
and I don’t think Zayn had either, um… and obviously the VMAs was, was one of those, and
I kinda had to sit down and, and ask Niall, I mean, funny that Niall had watched them, but
anyway, yeah, I sat down and asked him, you know, how big a deal it was, ‘cause I was
completely not aware, because like as I’m from Donny, you don’t really watch the VMAs for
some reason, which sounds crazy now ‘cause it’s such a, it’s such a big awards show and it’s
great.

Book version:

Awards ceremonies always give you strange glimpses of this celebrity culture. I never really
feel comfortable going to them, to be honest. We’ve been thrown into some pretty high-
profile ones, even early on. For example, the first time we went to the VMAs I was like, ‘I’ve
never heard of them.’ Nor had Zayn. That seems crazy now, but I’m just being honest. It was
another one of those big One Direction moments, in September 2012, when we won three
awards. But a lot of the awards nights are just big corporate events full of executives and
famous people admiring themselves. There’s not really much conversation, you just kinda
glance over to everyone, give the odd nod of recognition. It all just feels quite surreal. We
went to one awards ceremony in 2013 and Rihanna was literally in front of us. We were well
impressed! We were like, ‘Hey, look, lads. There’s Rihanna!’ It’s not that we feel we don’t
deserve to be there, but we still have that sense of five lads being a bit out of place, like the
new kids at school. Someone said to me that maybe Rihanna was looking over at us lot, but I
doubt that!

Side by side:

{There was a few different things um… like} AWARDS CEREMONIES always give you
strange glimpses of this celebrity culture. I never really feel comfortable going to them,
to be honest. We’ve been thrown into some pretty high-profile ones, even early on. {that
I had not really heard of, and I don’t think Zayn had either} For example, the first time we
went to {and obviously} THE VMAS {was one of those, and I kinda had to sit down and,
and ask Niall, I mean, funny that Niall had watched, but anyway, yeah, I sat down and asked
him, you know, how big a deal it was, ‘cause I was completely not aware, because as I’m
from Donny, you don’t really watch the VMAs for some reason, which} I was like, ‘I’ve
never heard of them.’ Nor had Zayn. That seems {sounds} CRAZY NOW {‘cause it’s
such   a big awards show and it’s great.}, but I’m just being honest. It was another one of
those big One Direction moments, in September 2012, when we won three awards. But a
lot of the awards nights are just big corporate events full of executives and famous
people admiring themselves. There’s not really much conversation, you just kinda
glance over to everyone, give the odd nod of recognition. It all just feels quite surreal.
We went to one awards ceremony in 2013 and Rihanna was literally in front of us. We
were well impressed! We were like, ‘Hey, look, lads. There’s Rihanna!’ It’s not that we
feel we don’t deserve to be there, but we still have that sense of five lads being a bit out
of place, like the new kids at school. Someone said to me that maybe Rihanna was
looking over at us lot, but I doubt that!

The second album:

Audio version:

On the second album we became a little bit more involved in the writing I wouldn’t say it
didn’t faze us, you know, we were, we were still aware of the expectations, you know, after
how well the first album had done we had the weekend in Sweden and we started to feel more
involved in the creative process which is cool, that was the first kind of involvement for us in
terms of writing. So, yeah, we kind of have a lot to live up to with the first record, but we
kind of just knuckled down, and just, you know, did what we thought we should and luckily
we were alright.

Book version:

Back on Planet One Direction we were doing stacks of gigs, promoting ourselves constantly
and getting ready to release the second album. I was feeling far more comfortable with my
own vocals, as those early problems I’d had on the first album had largely faded away.

This time we’d become more involved in the writing of the album. We did a week in Sweden
and were starting to feel a bit more part of the creative process, but again it was only really
lyrics at that stage. That was cool. I think the success we’d had so far gave us the confidence
to speak up in writing sessions a bit more. On the first album we weren’t ready, but by now
there was a more growing feeling of wanting to have more input. I’d say, ‘Maybe we can try
this lyric like this?’ or ‘How about we change that around and sing it like this?’ Just ideas,
suggestions, alternatives really. That said, we didn’t really push it too hard because we did
still feel quite inexperienced. We didn’t feel ready yet – and it was definitely the right thing
to be cautious. Take it at a steady pace.

Side by side:

Back on Planet One Direction we were doing stacks of gigs, promoting ourselves
constantly and getting ready to release {On} THE SECOND ALBUM. I was feeling far
more comfortable with my own vocals, as those early problems I’d had on the first
album had largely faded away.

{we became} This time we’d become {a little bit} MORE INVOLVED IN THE
WRITING of the album. {I wouldn’t say it didn’t faze us, you know, we were, we were still
aware of the expectations, you know, after how well the first album had done,} WE
did a {had a} WEEK IN SWEDEN AND {we started} were starting TO FEEL a bit more
part of {more involved in} THE CREATIVE PROCESS, but again it was only really lyrics
at that stage. That was {which is} COOL. {, that was the first kind of involvement for us in
terms of writing. So yeah, we kind of had a lot to live up to with the first record, but we kind
of just knuckled down, and just, you know, did what we thought we should and luckily we
were alright.} I think the success we’d had so far gave us the confidence to speak up in
writing sessions a bit more. On the first album we weren’t ready, but by now there was
a more growing feeling of wanting to have more input. I’d say, ‘Maybe we can try this
lyric like this?’ or ‘How about we change that around and sing it like this?’ Just ideas,
suggestions, alternatives really. That said, we didn’t really push it too hard because we
did still feel quite inexperienced. We didn’t feel ready yet – and it was definitely the
right thing to be cautious. Take it at a steady pace.

Charts performance:

Audio version:

I remember I clicked on a, you can go on, if you search in google and you go on like, iTunes
chart and it like shows you like 20 countries and what was number 1 in those countries and,
like we were over like, I don’t know, like most of them, and it was just insane just to sit there
on iTunes, and I was just, I remember I sat, I just took a screenshot of it straight away and I
thought ‘I’ll look at that later’.

Book version:

I couldn’t find it on the book, since everything’s out of order it was very confusing, but I’m
pretty sure that instead of this they put the “I was looking through iTunes and we were first in
31 countries blah”. Which is put twice, with wrong numbers. Anyway, if you find something
that resembles this, let me know, I couldn’t.

This Is Us Premiere:

Audio version:

Sitting down and like, watching the film, that was, again, a very proud moment, it’s one of
those things that all our families came to, and, you know, like in nice dresses and suits and
that, and, and it was nice, it was, it was crazy, ‘cause it was like, we’re walking down the red
carpet and you now, we’ve done that before at awards shows, and that’s so cool, but knowing
that everyone else is watching it and it’s your film, it’s just, it was crazy, and the, the
premiere in itself was just in such massive scale. It was, that was a really, really great time.

I sat with Niall in the back of the cinema and doing whatever, being annoying, throwing
popcorn, but we could get away with it ‘cause it was our film. Overall it was such a, such a
great experience, it was tiring, you know, the, the cameras were around a lot. But it was a
great experience and a great document for all of us to have, as a, as a band, you know we can
then show that to our grandkids in you know, fifty years.

Book version:

The movie première was a real laugh too! That was a big deal, and the huge crowd in
Leicester Square was amazing. I remember saying to Niall, ‘Mate, this is just the best, can
you believe how far this band has come, this is Leicester Square!’ It was a very proud day for
us – all our families came, my mum, my little sisters, my girlfriend. Me and Niall messed
about in the cinema and kept getting annoyed glances from people, but it was our movie so
we were allowed to! 

Side by side:

The movie première was a real laugh too! That was a big deal, and the huge crowd in
Leicester Square was amazing. I remember saying to Niall, ‘Mate, this is just the best,
can you believe how far this band has come, this is Leicester Square!’ It was a very
proud day for us – {Sitting down and like, watching the film, that was, again, a very proud
moment, it’s one of those things that} ALL OUR FAMILIES CAME {to}, my mum, my
little sisters, my girlfriend. {and, you know, like, in nice dresses and suits and that, and,
and, and it was nice, it was, it was crazy, ‘cause it was like, we’re walking down the red
carpet and ou know, we’ve done that before at awards shows and that’s so cool, but knowing
that everyone else is watching it and it’s your film, it’s just, it was crazy, and the, the
premiere in itself was just in such a massive scale. It was, that was a really, really great time.
I sat with} Me and NIALL messed about in {the back of} THE CINEMA {and doing
whatever, being annoying, throwing popcorn,} and kept getting annoyed glances from
people, BUT {we could get away with it ‘cause} IT WAS OUR movie {film} so we were
allowed to! 

(OUT OF ORDER, IT’S CHANGED IN THE BOOK THE NEXT PART IS BEFORE THE
PREVIOUS PARAGRAPH).

That early experience taught us well. Fast-forward to our second album tour and here
we are again, with cameras following pretty much our every waking moment. Don’t get
me wrong, there are some days when it’s definitely {Overall it was such a, such a great
experience, it was tiring} tiresome having {, you know, the, the} CAMERAS {were around a
lot.} in our faces – occasionally you just want a day when you don’t have to mike up.
But that’s just the odd day, and mainly we love it.

We also all felt it was such a great opportunity to {But it was a great experience and a
great} DOCUMENT {for all of us to have, as a, as a band, you know} what we’re doing
with One Direction in real detail. That might be a selfish way to look at it, but that
movie will be a really nice film to look back on {we can then show that to our
grandkinds} IN{you know 50} 30 YEARS. It tells our story. To a certain extent it also
allowed us a rare chance to look outside of the One Direction bubble, to see the crowds,
the fans outside, the gigs. I remember saying to the lads, ‘It feels kinda cool that we
actually get to watch our own show for once.’

Louis Part 7
On writing:

Audio version:

We’ve always tried to stray away from all the stereotypes that goes with boybands, and, you
know, one thing boybands aren’t known for is, is writing, and we thought it was really
important that we could get our influence across on the music. So this was the first album,
Midnight Memories, that we had a real, that we felt we had a proper creative input on, not
just a little bit, we felt that we had a, you know, a saying for the whole thing. And I think I
personally wrote on eleven on, out of the deluxe version, and personally for me that, it’s an
amazing feeling, it’s incredibly rewarding to be able to make music, you know it’s, it’s… Me
and Liam kind of formed this little writing team between us, and we just had a great time and
we worked with some great producers. And just incredibly proud and then obviously, you
know the album was received incredibly as well.

Book version:

I can’t find it in the book for the life of me. I already skimmed through it three times. If
someone finds it point me in which page, please.

Performing in Wembley:

Audio version:

On the big performances like Wembley it’s very daunting, obviously so many people there,
you’ve got family there, and there’s you know friends there and that obviously adds to all the
nerves. But we’re very lucky in the fact that we’ve got great fans in that I don’t feel like if I
messed up on stage, I wouldn’t really feel like embarrassed because I feel like they’re so
behind you anyway, um, that it’s cool, and and they kind of put you at ease. Which is a nice
feeling y’know, that’s why it almost encourages us to mess about and be a bit off the cuff on
stage, because they make it easy for us in that way.

It goes back to that pride that ah, you know to think about, obviously me being a huge
football fan and to think about all the history that’s gone there, and that it’s England’s
national football stadium, and that we got to play there it’s just, it’s unbelievable.

Book version:

Can’t find it in the book either.

Conclusion:

Audio version:

I’ve tried so many times to sit back and try and understand it and.. I, it’s impossible, I just
feel like I blagged it, i just feel i’m a Donny lad who’s got lucky and yeah, it’s impossible to
understand, maybe when we’re older and wiser we might, we might be able to put some kind
of perspective on it, but it’s ah, it’s cool.

Book version:

Not in the book, as far as I can tell.

Full Version
At school, academically, I wasn’t necessarily great, I didn’t really put my mind to it, it was
more like things that… I enjoyed it socially, but it was more things that I really enjoyed that
kind of gave me the drive but other than that I could very easily be the class clown and just
do what I want you know.

I think I’ve always had persistence, which I suppose I probably got from my mum, she
always encouraged me to do what I wanted to do, and you know, always just told me to give
it my best so that’s what I tried to do. My mum’s pretty ambitious to be fair, so I think that
kind of came through in the, in the family, I think I got a lot of qualities from her. My mum’s
pretty much the first person I go to for advice, you know, I have a great relationship with my
mum.

Obviously being in One Direction means… you know, we can travel the world, I don’t
think… well I know I wouldn’t have even been to America, nevermind all the places that
we’ve been at this age, so yeah, it’s amazing, I kind of… you know Doncaster is great but I
kind of wanted to see the world you know, and I’m lucky enough to have done that. And
often when I bring friends from home, you know, obviously I went to school with them. It’s
pretty surreal. The first time I brought my mate Oli out, he couldn’t believe that there was a
thing called room service where someone brings you food to your door, he was over the
moon so, you know, it’s great.

For me the whole X Factor thing went so quick. It was an amazing experience but it all just
seems like a blur now. We definitely enjoyed it but obviously it was so serious at that time as
well, even when tried our hardest to be sensible and mature we don’t do a very good job so I
think it kind of keeps you sane you know but it all just seems like a blur now. 

You know we were all very young, and to… we, we had a life of no responsibility, I mean I
certainly didn’t at school, you know, I wasn’t really working too hard and I was just enjoying
myself and then all of the sudden you get taken away and, and like bang, you’re in this, in
this lifestyle and, and it is very alienating and touring specifically moving on to countries, to
countries, to different hotels. It’s hard, it’s hard to get your head around at first and I think for
our families in particular it was tough, because you know normally I suppose our mums
would know that their child might be going to university at eighteen and they can prepare for
that moment, but we were kind of just, you know went for the X Factor and it was an
opportunity and then everything just, you know, went from there. So I think it was, it was
hard for our families to get their head around, probably more so than us, you know we were
just in the world wind and just, and just loving it but touring is definitely the best part, so you
know, it is hard being away from, from your family and from your friends but that’s why it’s
great having the other boys there, ‘cause you’ve got mates there.

Recording our first album was such a surreal experience because obviously you have no idea
what to expect, especially being a lad from Donny, if you don’t know, not many people from
Donny recorded many albums but anyway, but that trip was kind of a lot of ‘firsts’ for us
‘cause, you know, a lot of us hadn’t been to different countries before, they’ve never been
abroad, I’d only ever been to France so it was, you know, a lot of new experiences and it was
amazing, it was a great time for us as a band then, definitely.

Those early recording sessions were like a strange contrast for me because I went through the
whole of The X Factor and didn’t have a solo and, and that, that was tough for me because
from, from going to school and, and like I say, liking to be the centre of attention, and that, it
was, it was a, it was a big different kind of lifestyle change in a way, I don’t mean that in an
arrogant way, you know, it was just completely different, which was, which was hard to do,
and there was often times you know, when I’d stand there and wonder how much the
comments were relevant to me, because my contribution to the band in my opinion at that
time was so small, so, you know, obviously I was delighted to be in the band, it was an
amazing opportunity, but on the X Factor I did have a little bit of struggle, and that’s why,
you know, when it came around to recording the album and I, it’s only really been since
probably Midnight Memories that album that I felt comfortable with my, with my voice, so
it’s just all been like a learning curve from there really, but sometimes on stage I might feel,
or I have been in the past, especially this tour I feel much more confident, you know it can be
an intimidating thing, especially at the start when it was so alien to us, but it’s kind of good to
learn about that side of it and come to the other end, you, I’m very very happy now.

You know What makes you beautiful was obviously a great start for us but, but even before
that there was so much work that got into social media and our fans literally, you know, like
little super fans trying to spread the word across the world and it’s pretty amazing, I hope that
they realise just how much of an influence they’ve had, you know, from, from, from the start,
because, yeah, it all happened through them, through social media. I mean, it’s hard to put
into words, you know, the level of importance, ‘cause I just feel like, you hear so many
people say, you know ‘our fans are amazing’ or ‘the best in the world’, we can’t, we, we
really seriously couldn’t stress enough just how incredible our fans are, and, you know, they
only need to look at our, our stats and that’s all thanks to them, and I hope that they give
themselves a pat on the back because it’s a, it’s a partnership between the two of us.

We had our first UK tour in theatres which was brilliant because obviously straight off the
back of The X Factor we needed to learn, and, and it was, it was a great platform for that and,
and you know, some of those intimate gigs are some of the best gigs that we’ve done, they…
we really do have some great memories, but we needed that kind of progression and we
needed to, to learn as a band and to get to arenas, you know, so, we love touring, there’s
nothing better to do as an artist than to take your music all over the world so we’re blessed to
be able to do that.

I think on the first tour, I remember quite clearly we were, we got the mattresses out of one of
the hotel rooms and was trying to ride them down the stairs and a couple of the boys were a
bit tense and worried that we might get told off, you won’t get that now, they’d be straight
down.

Our expectations… in America we were very modest I remember we had a discussion of

where we’d like the album to chart and we said ‘top 40, top 20 would be amazing’. Because
you know you look back at the past and it’s so hard to get into America so we wouldn’t have
any other expectations really other than that. We went to tour with Big Time Rush and I
remember we had a chat with our management and they, they were like, ‘this isn’t your show
so you need to be aware that they might not know the songs, you might not get that great a
reaction, blah blah blah’ and like, you know, we were like, nervous going into the show ‘well
this is going to be different whatever’ and then that was, that was one of the most amazing
gigs, ‘cause we walked out and we performed, I think we did six songs, and even on the
album tracks they were singing along, and it was just, we just completely weren’t prepared
for that, you know. ‘Cause there’s only so much twitter can tell you, really, you know, and,
and, and just experiencing that was, yeah, it was, it was shocking, in a good way.
Coming off The X Factor we thought ‘okay, we’re going in for a career’, but we only really
would think about the UK, because you know, there’s always that ‘one step at a time’ kind of
thing. And, overseas isn’t really coming to my mind, even though we’d done some press trips
over there we actually did, ah… I think four countries in four days, which is manic, it was
only really at the release of the album and then, you know, seeing where it fared in different
countries that it was the real wake up call, you know ‘here’s the proof, it’s, it is pretty big’.

Eighteen months after The X Factor and, all of the sudden there’s thousands of people, we’re
in New York, and I’ve been to New York, and there’s thousands of people that are screaming
and I could give you some rubbish about me sitting there, you know, reflecting, thinking, but,
but really, it’s too hard to comprehend and it’s, it’s something that, that’s, all these crazy
things that are happening, of course you appreciate them but it’s impossible, because how
could you relate to that? nobody can you know, so it’s, it’s almost easier to just enjoy it and
just go with it, because the more you think about it, the more it’s like ‘wow this is insane’.

We were recording in LA and we, we flew back to Heathrow and there was just this mass
amount of, of fans and it was just crazy to, to see because you know, we’d, we’d seen
crowds, you know, outside where we were and stuff, but never to that kind of level and it felt
a little bit aggressive, I think it kind of got me hoody ripped off from me. Then they, I
remember they dragged us into this like, tiny office with some like, police officers and we
were like, all inside and all the fans are outside surrounding it, banging on the walls, yeah…
it was, it was pretty intense. It definitely made us think ‘okay, you know there’s, there’s some
proper support here’ and we were very excited in the car home.

The Olympics were in London which was an amazing thing anyway and to be involved with
that was, was incredible. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so much honour really too, and just to be
involved in such an amazing thing, you know. And I always think you know, it must be
amazing for a football fan to put on an England shirt and represent his country, and it almost
felt like a little bit like we were representing our country there at the Olympics, and yeah it
was it’s, that feeling in particular is like no other really, very very proud moment.

Obviously I’m a massive football fan and I’ve always idolised David Beckham, I just think
he’s the coolest guy ever. Two or three of the lads met him before me, and they had pictures
with him, right? And I just saw all these pictures on twitter and I was like ‘what’s going on
boys? Would have loved to have met David, you know? Becks’, but anyway I did get to meet
him in the end, I went to the Class of 92 world premiere and, I’m just, I’m rubbish. I was
trying to be cool but, you just can’t. I mean what do you say that’s remotely impressive to
David Beckham? You know, It’s uh… But genuinely with like, celebrities I don’t… as a, as a
band I don’t think we’re that good. Often at awards ceremonies we’re kind of sat there and
feeling like the new kids at school like, like, Rihanna might be sitting in front of us and we’ll
be like ‘oh, it’s Rihanna there’ you know, it’s just, it’s still very hard to believe for us.

There was a few different things um… like awards ceremonies that I had not really heard of,
and I don’t think Zayn had either, um… and obviously the VMAs was, was one of those, and
I kinda had to sit down and, and ask Niall, I mean, funny that Niall had watched them, but
anyway, yeah, I sat down and asked him, you know, how big a deal it was, ‘cause I was
completely not aware, because like as I’m from Donny, you don’t really watch the VMAs for
some reason, which sounds crazy now ‘cause it’s such a, it’s such a big awards show and it’s
great.
On the second album we became a little bit more involved in the writing I wouldn’t say it
didn’t faze us, you know, we were, we were still aware of the expectations, you know, after
how well the first album had done we had the week in Sweden and we started to feel more
involved in the creative process which is cool, that was the first kind of involvement for us in
terms of writing. So, yeah, we kind of had a lot to live up to with the first record, but we kind
of just knuckled down, and just, you know, did what we thought we should and luckily we
were alright.

I remember I clicked on a, you can go on, if you search in google and you go on like, iTunes
chart and it like shows you like 20 countries and what was number 1 in those countries and,
like we were over like, I don’t know, like most of them, and it was just insane just to sit there
on iTunes, and I was just, I remember I sat, I just took a screenshot of it straight away and I
thought ‘I’ll look at that later’.

Sitting down and like, watching the film, that was, again, a very proud moment, it’s one of
those things that all our families came to, and, you know, like in nice dresses and suits and
that, and, and it was nice, it was, it was crazy, ‘cause it was like, we’re walking down the red
carpet and you now, we’ve done that before at awards shows, and that’s so cool, but knowing
that everyone else is watching it and it’s your film, it’s just, it was crazy, and the, the
premiere in itself was just in such massive scale. It was, that was a really, really great time.

I sat with Niall in the back of the cinema and doing whatever, being annoying, throwing
popcorn, but we could get away with it ‘cause it was our film. Overall it was such a, such a
great experience, it was tiring, you know, the, the cameras were around a lot. But it was a
great experience and a great document for all of us to have, as a, as a band, you know we can
then show that to our grandkids in you know, fifty years.

We’ve always tried to stray away from all the stereotypes that goes with boybands, and, you
know, one thing boybands aren’t known for is, is writing, and we thought it was really
important that we could get our influence across on the music. So this was the first album,
Midnight Memories, that we had a real, that we felt we had a proper creative input on, not
just a little bit, we felt that we had a, you know, a saying for the whole thing. And I think I
personally wrote on eleven on, out of the deluxe version, and personally for me that, it’s an
amazing feeling, it’s incredibly rewarding to be able to make music, you know it’s, it’s… Me
and Liam kind of formed this little writing team between us, and we just had a great time and
we worked with some great producers. And just incredibly proud and then obviously, you
know the album was received incredibly as well.

On the big performances like Wembley it’s very daunting, obviously so many people there,
you’ve got family there, and there’s you know friends there and that obviously adds to all the
nerves. But we’re very lucky in the fact that we’ve got great fans in that I don’t feel like if I
messed up on stage, I wouldn’t really feel like embarrassed because I feel like they’re so
behind you anyway, um, that it’s cool, and and they kind of put you at ease. Which is a nice
feeling y’know, that’s why it almost encourages us to mess about and be a bit off the cuff on
stage, because they make it easy for us in that way.

It goes back to that pride that ah, you know to think about, obviously me being a huge
football fan and to think about all the history that’s gone there, and that it’s England’s
national football stadium, and that we got to play there it’s just, it’s unbelievable.
 I’ve tried so many times to sit back and try and understand it and.. I, it’s impossible, I just
feel like I blagged it, i just feel I’m a Donny lad who’s got lucky and yeah, it’s impossible to
understand, maybe when we’re older and wiser we might, we might be able to put some kind
of perspective on it, but it’s ah, it’s cool.