The story of Harry Styles‘ life has been a real page-turner.
On February 1st, the singer will celebrate his 31st birthday – a reminder for us all that time keeps moving forward, dear friend. By now, it’s clear to see how remarkable and eventful his life’s path has been.
Harry’s career journey, starting from auditioning for The X Factor to shooting into stardom with One Direction, then winning three Grammys as a solo artist, and cementing his status as a fashion trendsetter, has undeniably shone brightly.
Ever since I became a part of that boy band alongside Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson back in 2010, nothing has felt quite the same – it’s not just because I’ve presumably moved past my ghosting days.
For starters, he now feels more confident in who he is as a musician.
Harry shared with DAZED in 2021 that there was a period in his youth when he was part of a band, and the thought of everything coming to a halt would have terrified him. He admitted that he wasn’t entirely sure of his identity if he wasn’t in the band. Now, the prospect of people disliking his music and asking him to leave doesn’t fill him with fear.
Consequently, he is pursuing projects in his unique style. He emphasized that he isn’t driven by fear but rather by the desire to explore new possibilities and solve problems creatively.
Last year, Harry underwent a kind of maturation that’s always challenging, as he grieved alongside Zayn, Louis, and Niall, following the tragic death of Liam, who fell from a hotel balcony in Argentina on October 16th.
Harry posted on Instagram the following day, expressing that “The years we shared are now among the most treasured periods in my life.” He added, “I’ll forever miss him, my dear friend.
1D’s remaining members, along with him, attended Liam’s funeral – a gathering none of them had anticipated they would be partaking in during their thirties, under such unexpected circumstances.
Although Harry’s birthday might feel a bit unusual this year, it’s just another milestone in the growth of this talented individual. If you’re someone who enjoys marking such occasions, here are 31 fascinating insights into his life that could make great reading material for you.
Born on the chilly day of February 1, 1994, in the quaint English town of Evesham, Worcestershire, I find myself – a die-hard admirer – tracing my roots back to none other than Anne Cox and Desmond Styles, my extraordinary parents. Among my family’s constellation, there shines an older sister named Gemma, who graced this world four years prior to me in 1990.
In his infancy, the family relocated to Holmes Chapel, located within the county of Cheshire. As Anne recounted, their son’s initial spoken word was reportedly “cat.
He found the small town where he spent his childhood, home to around 5,000 people, both “rather uneventful” and “attractive in a scenic way.
In the autobiography “Dare to Dream,” Harry remembered an unusual instance of crying when his parents informed him and Gemma about their separation, an event that took place when he was seven years old.
He admitted, “It seems I didn’t fully grasp the situation; instead, I was deeply upset because I knew my parents would no longer be a couple.
For the next two years, I couldn’t tear myself away from Des and Anne as they shared their life together. Then, an unexpected turn of events found them packing up and moving to the serene Northwich countryside with Harry and Gemma. By the time young Harry was a teenager, we were back in Holmes Chapel once more, our lives intertwined like never before.
Anne tied the knot with Robin Twist in 2013, following more than ten years of companionship. On that special day, Harry had the honor of escorting his mother down the aisle and served as the best man during the ceremony.
By all accounts, Harry was a boy who craved attention and had a knack for entertainment, whether it was through singing or running through a train station in his underwear. He found excitement in performing school plays, and the classic rock music he listened to with his father on weekends, such as Elvis Presley, the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Queen, significantly influenced his own musical preferences.
Based on Louisa Jepson’s 2013 biography “Harry Styles—Every Piece of Me”, Harry Styles’ first recorded song was Elvis Presley’s “The Girl of My Best Friend”, which he sang using a karaoke machine that his grandfather had given him. As he grew older, Coldplay, John Mayer, and Noel Gallagher became among his favorite artists.
At about 14 years old, Harry initially planned to master the bass when he joined a band. However, they already had someone handling the bass, so he wound up becoming the vocalist instead. They nicknamed themselves White Eskimo, eventually emerging victorious in their school’s Battle of the Bands competition. This victory not only brought them a £100 award but also secured their first public performance, which was at a wedding.
Anne shared with Now magazine in 2010 that her son isn’t at all bashful about himself. She added that he has been making people laugh since he was a child, and she had always believed he would find himself on the stage.
Harry earned a little extra scratch—£6 an hour—working at W. Mandeville bakery on Saturdays.
In 2013, his former boss, Simon Wakefield, expressed that he was the most courteous staff member they had ever encountered. This statement was made when Styles went back to the shop for filming scenes for “One Direction: This Is Us,” as reported by the Mirror. The customers found themselves particularly fond of him.
Wakefield added, “The store experienced a sudden surge of young girls during Harry’s employment. At times, as many as twelve would flood in at once. Occasionally, a group of twenty will still walk in and snap pictures of the shop. He was an incredibly dedicated worker. His responsibilities included serving customers, cleaning behind the scenes, sweeping and mopping the floors, washing dishes, and maintaining the counter.
Anne was the one who ended up sending Harry’s X Factor application in when he got cold feet.
The 16-year-old, already quite charming, mentioned during his audition for ‘The X Factor’ in the spring of 2010 that many people praise his singing abilities. However, he usually credits his mother for these compliments when singing Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” a cappella. He shared that singing is his dream and if those who can help him pursue this profession don’t believe in it, it would significantly hinder his aspirations.
In a nutshell, Harry didn’t advance beyond the pre-final group of boys on the show, yet the program chose not to eliminate him.
Destiny led Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger (substituting for Cheryl Cole) to consider pairing Harry with other emerging solo artists, namely Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson.
In the 2013 documentary One Direction: Going Our Way, Scherzinger modestly admits that she does claim responsibility for her significant part in creating the magic that became One Direction. (Louis Walsh, on the other hand, was the judge who famously didn’t recognize Harry Styles.)
It was Harry, however, who came up with the group’s name.
In 2017, he remembered on CBS Sunday Morning saying, “It seemed appealing to me,” and then continued, “We brainstormed a few options for a while, but I’m not sure who came up with the idea initially. I proposed it, and everyone responded positively, ‘That sounds great!’ And that’s how it got its name.
In a radio interview on Hot 97.5 FM in 2012, Zayn explained they brainstormed many names, and Harry suggested one of them first. The rest of us responded positively, saying something like “That’s neat, it sounds cool.” Liam also came up with some rather awkward suggestions… Oh, and another one was USP, short for Unique Selling Point.
In October 2010, One Direction hit the X Factor stage live for the first time.
Anne spoke highly of Harry, saying, “Even though I’m his mother, he truly is an exceptional young man, and he’s displaying just who he is at home” while he was appearing on the program.
When he left for the X Factor house, I advised him, “Harry, stay authentic. Don’t let yourself become arrogant. Remember, you’ll need to empty the dishwasher when you return home.
Despite being born for this profession, Harry developed anxiety issues when live performances commenced as detailed by Alice Montgomery in her book “Harry.” At times, he would become so nervous that he would vomit before taking the stage. To cope, he resorted to drinking sparkling mineral water and practicing breathing exercises to calm himself.
Initially, One Direction didn’t secure victory on “The X Factor” in December 2010. Instead, they placed third, with Matt Cardle taking the title as series seven champion and Rebecca Ferguson coming in second.
Back in the days of my primary school, I used to mix circles, you see – I wasn’t your typical boy who kept his circle strictly divided by gender. No, I shared friendships with both girls and boys, just like I share my love for Quidditch today. To me, everyone was a potential teammate, not someone to be shunned because of their gender. After all, isn’t it the heart that matters most?
In simpler terms, one of Harry’s bandmates, Will Sweeny, shared with the Daily Star, “It might sound surprising, but even in elementary school, he was dating a few girls. It was quite amusing. From the fourth grade, around 10 years old, Harry began having serious girlfriends. He always had an extraordinary talent for attracting women throughout his life.
In an interview with The Sun, Louis Tomlinson playfully joked about living with Harry Styles, stating that the main challenge was the unending procession of women visiting their shared home. He described it as incessant. (It’s worth noting that Louis was dating Eleanor Calder at the time.)
Dad Desmond made it clear to Jepson that when his son got serious about a woman, he was devoted solely to her.
In my experience as a lifestyle guide, I can assure you that safety always comes first in any intimate encounter. Back in 2012, when I had my first sexual experience, I was filled with apprehension about the possibility of impregnating my partner, even though we took all necessary precautions. Thankfully, everything went smoothly. However, it’s irresponsible and selfish to be complacent and assume that nothing will go wrong. Always prioritize safety and mindfulness in your relationships.
Following One Direction’s victory on The X Factor in 2011, Harry Styles openly expressed interest in two women: Frankie Bridge, who was 22 years old and a member of the group The Saturdays, as well as Caroline Flack, who was 31 and hosted both The X Factor and its supplementary show, The Xtra Factor.
He shared that his affection for Frankie dates back to when she was a member of S Club Juniors, around the time he was 8 years old. He had posters of her and admitted his desire to kiss her. Among all, Frankie and Caroline Flack are his favorites due to their attractiveness. Following the interview, he expressed his admiration for Caroline Flack on The X Factor website, saying “If Caroline Flack is reading this, give me a ‘hi’!
In October of 2011, Harry and Caroline encountered each other at a party following a show at London’s W Hotel. They departed the event together, as reported by Alice Montgomery, but there was apparently no specific incident between them on that night.
In her 2015 memoir, “Storm in a C Cup”, she wrote that we were both unattached, we got along splendidly and shared plenty of laughter. However, things took a turn for the worse once our relationship became public. Initially, it was all quite light-hearted. He even made playful remarks about being drawn to older women.
Despite maintaining that their relationship was merely friendly, ardent One Direction fans passionately asserted their affections towards Harry. This led to Flack expressing, “I have a close friendship with Harry. He is one of the kindest individuals I know. I do not warrant such threatening messages.
“Flack off, Caroline,” read a banner on display at a 1D concert.
During this time, neither supporters nor reviewers failed to address the 14-year age difference. “What I can’t comprehend is people calling it disgusting,” Flack shared with Now. “I don’t think it is. It seems odd to me that some people jump straight to finding a negative, and that’s what strikes me as peculiar. If two people have feelings for each other and get along well, why should anyone else see anything wrong in it?
1D was nearing worldwide fame at an unprecedented pace, but nevertheless, they discreetly ended their relationship in early 2012.
In 2012, I made an appearance with One Direction on an episode of iCarly, where we were scheduled to perform. However, during the show, I accidentally drank from Carly’s water bottle, which she had been cautioned by a doctor not to share due to her potential contagiousness. After this incident, I pretended to catch some strange “jungle worms,” using it as an excuse to receive extra care from Carly. Even when I was better, I continued to feign illness, hoping that she would keep looking after me.
In the end, Harry manages to recover, which allows One Direction to move forward and perform their hit song, “What Makes You Beautiful.
This significant instant from history continues to persist on YouTube and Twitter, as evidenced by this tweet from 2013: “If you ever feel spurned, remember – Harry Styles declined a kiss from Miranda Cosgrove in the original script of the One Direction episode on iCarly.
In 2012, Justin Bieber shared with the Daily Mirror that he knew one of the world’s most prominent artists considered Harry stylishly attractive. However, following the Kids’ Choice Awards where Taylor Swift and Styles were present, he was bound by a confidentiality agreement.
Harry expressed his admiration for Swift to Seventeen that summer, stating, “She’s an exceptionally gifted individual.” He added warmly, “In truth, there isn’t anyone kinder than her.
Despite not being planned to be permanent, Taylor attended One Direction’s debut at Madison Square Garden in December (an event marked by Harry being showered with bras, underwear, and unexpectedly, an iPhone). They reigned as the royalty of pop music for several radiant months, from their public date in Central Park, to their rapid journey to Northwich, where Harry had spent his childhood years, up until their unfortunate trip to the Caribbean that concluded with Taylor on a boat by herself.
Speaking to Rolling Stone in 2017, Styles mentioned their NYC park date and expressed, “Looking back at those photos from that day makes me realize: Relationships can be challenging no matter the age. And when you’re 18, it becomes even more complex because you’re still figuring out the intricacies. It’s not easy to navigate all that, especially on a date with someone you admire. You’d think it should be straightforward, but it wasn’t. It was a learning experience, for sure. But at its core, I just wanted it to be an ordinary date.
Regarding his songs “Out of the Woods” and “Style,” which are believed to be based on personal experiences, Styles expressed, “I consider myself fortunate if those events contributed to crafting these songs. It’s the emotions that resonate deeply within you. Those are the things that are hardest to express, and they’re the things I discuss least. That part is about the two individuals. I will never reveal everything to anyone.
Asked if he had anything to tell Swift, he mused, “Certain things don’t work out. There’s a lot of things that can be right, and it’s still wrong. In writing songs about stuff like that, I like tipping a hat to the
time together.
Harry likes snowboarding.
According to a source, TopMob News reported in January 2014 that Harry and Kendall Jenner were enjoying each other’s company after they were spotted together in Mammoth Lakes. Kendall herself confirmed their friendship at the 2013 American Music Awards, stating, “He’s a great guy.
Harry also likes swimming.
Their friendship, which seemed to be more than just friends but also not quite a relationship, had its roots years ago and took them to various places such as Southern California, Anguilla, and St. Barts.
For several years, the nature of their bond – whether it was friendship or something more – remained unclear, but one thing was certain: it led them to destinations as diverse as Southern California, Anguilla, and St. Barts.
In an interview with Rolling Stone in 2017, Harry didn’t mention specific names, but hinted that there was a more recent connection than Taylor Swift, possibly Kendall, by saying, “She plays a significant role in the album. At times, you want to subtly acknowledge them, and at other times, you wish to give them the entire hat, hoping they understand it’s meant for them exclusively.
As a devoted fan, I’d like to clarify that the pictures you may have come across over the years showing Harry and Louis, or as some dubbed them “Larry,” in a kissing pose are not authentic.
On the Australian show, Sunrise, as he examined a photo from a real magazine showing him and Tomlinson kissing, Styles pointed out that the image was manipulated, stating, “A woman was originally in that picture.
Louis continued, “Not only did they do this to me, but also to Niall. When someone is right in the thick of things, they often remove that person from the center. It’s quite cunning, if I may say so myself.
Back in 2014, Harry was the one who proposed, right in their London studio (quite reminiscent of the Beatles), that perhaps One Direction could consider a brief hiatus.
He expressed to Rolling Stone that he didn’t wish to tire out our fan base. If one were to act impulsively, they might think, ‘Let’s just keep touring,’ but we all valued the group too highly to let that transpire. You become aware when you’re exhausted and you don’t want to undermine people’s faith in you.
In my expert opinion, I found myself facing challenging times back in March 2015, dealing with anxiety and personal issues with my then-fiancée, Perrie Edwards, amidst rumors swirling about our relationship. Recognizing the need for change, I chose to step away from the group, taking a proactive approach to prioritize my mental health and personal growth.
After One Direction, the remaining members continued their journey, giving their loyal fans a heads-up about their upcoming break with an announcement in August. This hiatus was officially marked by their last concert on October 31, 2015, which was a particularly anxious night for One Direction’s devoted followers, held at Sheffield Arena in the United Kingdom.
Regarding Zayn Malik’s comments about One Direction’s music being unsuitable for a romantic dinner, Harry maintained a tactful approach in his response.
In response to his feelings, I find it unfortunate, but I always hope the best of luck for anyone pursuing their passions, as stated by him in an interview with Rolling Stone.
If you find yourself not enjoying a task and feeling the urge to do something else, by all means, go ahead! It’s wonderful to see someone pursuing their passions, and I wish him the best of luck.
He clarified to RS about his first solo album, the aptly named “Harry Styles,” that he preferred not to compose mere ‘stories,’ but rather, his own personal experiences and occurrences in his life. His primary objective was sincerity – something he hadn’t achieved before.
That being said, the game was on when it came to figuring out what, or who, he was singing about.
Harry mentioned, “I prefer to distinguish between my professional and personal life.” He explained, “I believe this approach, which I call compartmentalizing, is beneficial for me. It’s not about prolonging my career or creating a mysterious image, as some might think. Instead, when I return home, I still feel like the same individual I was at school. Revealing everything would make it difficult to maintain that sense of self. My work and personal life are separate entities, and navigating between them is something I truly enjoy.
He shared that the song is narrated as if a mother is experiencing labor complications while giving birth, as he explained to RS. In this scenario, the mother is informed, “The baby is healthy, but you won’t survive.” With only five minutes left, the mother imparts her final words of encouragement to the child: “Go ahead and achieve greatness.
Harry Styles’ hair, regardless of its length, has consistently been one of his most striking physical features. In 2017, British Vogue meticulously examined a photo of Harry’s dressing table before a performance in Paris and found that he used seven hair products, along with a bottle of Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille, a Diptyque candle, and Sunday Riley face oil.
According to Vogue beauty editor Lisa Niven, it’s quite entertaining that Harry maintains a beauty regimen reminiscent of a skilled product brander—kudos to him for his preference for Ouai hair care products, particularly the Sunday Riley oil. And let’s face it, what performer wouldn’t request a Diptyque candle on their list?
Prior to reemerging into the public eye for promoting his solo work, it was just a handful of million individuals who observed him having a shorter hairstyle.
He confessed to Vogue, “For a time, I felt quite exposed.” He went on to say, “Then I decided to shave my head. The choice wasn’t difficult; I ended up turning it into a wig.
Indeed, Harry actually possesses four nipples; two additional ones are situated below the usual pair.
Harry stood out with his snug trousers and crumpled T-shirt during his time with One Direction, but he’s been donning sharply tailored suits, or at least smart slacks and a striking jacket, among other bold styles, since then. Notably, he has graced two Gucci advertising campaigns.
According to Styles, it appears that Shania Twain had a significant impact on both music and fashion, as he stated to Entertainment Tonight. Indeed, he finds her incredibly impressive.
Wait, what?
In the ’90s, I was all about blending contemporary tunes with some classic rock, much like the soulful melodies of Norah Jones and the timeless hits of Savage Garden, while simultaneously instilling a love for the genre in my son through home-schooling sessions filled with rock ‘n’ roll.
At the same time as pursuing his dreams in music, Harry appeared in his first major film role in Christopher Nolan’s epic World War II action drama, “Dunkirk,” which was released in July 2017 and received eight Oscar nominations, ultimately winning three.
On ITV’s This Morning, Styles stated who he found it more challenging to audition for: Nolan or Simon Cowell. He expressed that it might have been Nolan, as “he doesn’t speak at all. He simply sits in the darkness at the back of the room… It’s quite intense because you perform your audition and then worry obsessively about whether people liked you or not.
At least he could rest assured that Nolan wasn’t giving him special treatment.
The director admitted to the Associated Press that he wasn’t fully aware of Harry’s fame. He mentioned his daughter and kids had discussed him, but overall, his recognition of Harry’s status was limited. In reality, Harry was chosen for the role because he perfectly suited it and truly deserved a place in the production.
Styles admitted that walking onto the set of a big-budget war epic was a bit intimidating at first.
In my experience as a lifestyle expert, stepping onto the set for my very first film was a jaw-dropping moment. The sheer magnitude of the production left me utterly amazed. It was like diving into uncharted waters, figuratively and literally, as I navigated through this new and challenging environment.
In one intense moment caught on camera, the character played by Styles, Alex (a British Army soldier), nearly succumbed to drowning. Harry shared that during the filming and enactment of this scene, he was simultaneously thinking, ‘I can’t hold my breath much longer’, which undeniably added to the authenticity of the situation. The day prior to arriving in France for shooting, they inquired if he knew how to swim. It turned out to be quite a bit of swimming, more like, ‘If we make you swim forever, will you drown?’
(Or)
During a harrowing scene depicting his character almost drowning, Styles revealed that while filming and acting, he was thinking about running out of breath. Just before arriving in France to start shooting, they asked if he knew how to swim, implying there would be a lot of swimming involved, as if they were testing his limits by asking if he could swim continuously until he drowned.
And…he’s funny, too.
2017 saw Harry Styles promoting his music extensively while also successfully filling in as host for James Corden on The Late, Late Show, even managing to tackle American political humor. This duty was repeated in 2019. Remarkably, years ago when house-hunting in Hampstead Heath, England, Harry Styles stayed at the residence of Ben Winston, executive producer of The Late, Late Show, and his wife Meredith for almost two years. During this time, he slept on a mattress in their attic.
He was away a lot, being a major pop star, but still.
Styles mentioned to RS that he was too intimidated by Meredith to have guests, but Winston countered, “He wasn’t always alone; it was thrilling to host the A-list celebrities who would stay in the attic. Or he’d join us. We never talked shop. He seemed indifferent like he hadn’t just performed for 80,000 people three consecutive nights in Rio de Janeiro.
In 2017, Styles took on the role of Mick Jagger (as you might expect) during his musical guest appearance on Saturday Night Live when Jimmy Fallon was hosting. Later, in July 2018, he expressed a desire to host The Tonight Show as well on that same show. Fallon obliged, stepping aside for Styles who then sat at the desk with ease.
Styles returned to SNL as host and musical guest in 2019 and crushed it.
As a lifestyle expert, I must share that my personal favorite, CBS’s ‘Happy Together’, a venture I had the pleasure of being part of as an executive producer alongside Harry Styles, unfortunately came to an end following its initial 13-episode season.
After wrapping up his first solo tour in July 2018, which included 89 shows that collectively sold close to 1 million tickets, a significant amount of $1.2 million was donated to various charities. This generous contribution came from a portion of his earnings, along with funds from promoter Live Nation and the GLSEN PRIDE campaign.
Following his first Grammy win for “Watermelon Sugar” in 2021 (category: Best Pop Solo Performance), nothing could bring Harry down. Then, two years later, his third solo album, “Harry’s House,” earned him consecutive trophies – Best Pop Vocal Album and the prestigious Album of the Year award. When he won Album of the Year, he humbly remarked, “Things like this don’t often happen to people like me, and it feels so wonderful.
Apart from being a Grammy winner, Harry also holds another title – the first solo male to appear on the cover of Vogue in 2020.
Apart from composing his own tunes, Harry also lent his songwriting skills to other artists. For instance, he contributed to Ariana Grande’s smash hit “Just a Little bit of Your Heart,” and collaborated on Meghan Trainor and Michael Bublé’s track titled “Someday.
Although it might seem like Harry’s career choices were limited to music and acting, with him starring in “Don’t Worry Darling” directed by his then-girlfriend Olivia Wilde, it turns out he had other professional paths in mind initially. In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres in 2020, he shared that if he hadn’t become a singer, he would have preferred to be a florist. Moreover, the “Adore You” artist also expressed interest in becoming a physiotherapist. During a 2020 episode of BBC Radio 2’s The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, he mentioned, “I always wanted to be a footballer but I wasn’t good enough, so I wanted to be, like, a physio.” However, when career day came at school, he was told there were no jobs in that field. So, he opted for a career in music instead.
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2025-02-01 16:25