ThrowbackEverything Harry Styles Has Said About Leaving One Direction and His Former Boy Band Days

BRIT Awards Speech

Harry thanked his One Direction bandmates while accepting the BRIT Award for Artist of the Year in February 2023 — and we’re not crying, you’re crying.

“I want to thank my mum for signing me up for X Factor without telling me, so I literally wouldn’t be here without you,” Harry began. “I want to thank Niall, Louis, Liam and Zayn because I wouldn’t be here without you either. Thank you so much.”

‘Like a Bonus’

The singer-actor revealed more on his days in One Direction in his August 2022 cover story for Rolling Stone. “Everything in my life has felt like a bonus since X-Factor,” he says, referring to the singing competition that led directly to One Direction. “Get on TV and sing. I never expected and never thought that would happen.”

‘I Feel Really Lucky’

The singer-songwriter expressed his gratitude for his former bandmates in an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1 in May 2022. “I feel really lucky that we always had each other to be this unit that felt like you could keep each other in check and you could just have someone else who gets it,” he explained. “Because it’s impossible to not, at times I think everyone experiences this, feel like, ‘Oh, everyone else is on the other side of the glass and I’m on this side of the glass, and no one really gets it.'”

‘I Loved My Time In It’

“I think the typical thing is to come out of a band like that and almost feel like you have to apologize for being in it,” Harry told Vogue in November 2020. “But I loved my time in it. It was all new to me, and I was trying to learn as much as I could. I wanted to soak it in … I think that’s probably why I like traveling now — soaking stuff up.”

10-Year Anniversary

On One Direction’s 10-year anniversary, Harry shared a photo on Instagram of all five band members hugging on a stage.

In the caption, he wrote, “I’ve been struggling to put into words how grateful I am for everything that’s happened over the last ten years. I’ve seen things and places that I’d only ever dreamt of when I was growing up. I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and working with some of the most incredible people, and gained friendships that I know I will treasure for the rest of my life.”

He continued, “None of this would be possible without the support you’ve given along the way. And for that, I will be forever thankful. I just can’t believe it’s been ten years. Thank you to our crew, our team, and everyone else who helped us along the way.

“To all the fans, I love you, and I thank you with all my heart. You did it all, and you changed everything. And finally.. to the boys, I love you so much, and I couldn’t be prouder of everything we achieved together. Here’s to ten. H”.

Reunion?

Harry told Rolling Stone in 2017 about his hopes for a reunion. “I love the band and would never rule out anything in the future. The band changed my life, gave me everything.”