Niall Horan, the singer-songwriter from Mullingar, candidly shared his experience of feeling “afraid” to go out due to being relentlessly pursued by fans during his time with One Direction.
Rising to fame alongside his bandmates Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, and Zayn Malik on The X Factor in 2010, Horan discussed his new album, “The Show,” in an interview with Cosmopolitan UK.
Reflecting on the One Direction years, Horan expressed, “I loved the tours, but it was a whirlwind. We would travel to different countries and never really get to see anything. It was just hotels, venues, and planes, repeating the same cycle.”
He elaborated on the overwhelming attention from fans, saying, “We couldn’t step out of the hotel without being noticed and chased by fans. I understand why it happened, but it made me hesitant to go out, especially in London. There was a time when I genuinely couldn’t do it.”
After six years of massive success, One Direction went on an indefinite hiatus. They had become one of the biggest pop bands globally, with five albums and four world tours. Malik had already departed from the group in 2015 to pursue a solo career.
Now 29 years old, Horan has embarked on a successful solo career, featuring hits like “Slow Hands” and “Heaven.” As he prepares to release his third solo album, “The Show,” he admitted feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness.
He shared, “I hope I don’t spend 18 months creating something that people won’t like…no regrets. This album required a fresh approach and new ideas.”
Reflecting on the pandemic, Horan found a silver lining in the stillness it brought. He appreciated having time to breathe and realized that life didn’t always have to be at full throttle.
Horan also spoke about his friendship with Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi, whom he praised as an amazing friend and one of the funniest people he has ever met.
Addressing the nature of celebrity relationships, Horan mentioned that not all celebrities are acquainted with one another. He recalled an encounter with actor Channing Tatum on a plane, where Tatum waved at him and they shared a laugh. Horan highlighted that sometimes celebrities have to put on a “celebrity” act for each other.
The full interview with Niall Horan can be accessed on the Cosmopolitan UK website, premiering on Friday, June 9th.
