Historical Figure
Harry Styles
b. 1994
English singer, songwriter and actor (born 1994)
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Biography
Harry Edward Styles is an English singer, songwriter, and actor. His showmanship, artistry, and flamboyant fashion have had a significant impact on popular culture.
In Their Own Words (5)
I didn’t grow up in a man’s man world. I grew up with my mum and my sister. But I definitely think in the last two years, I’ve become a lot more content with who I am. I think there’s so much masculinity in being vulnerable and allowing yourself to be feminine, and I’m very comfortable with that. Growing up you don’t even know what those things mean. You have this idea of what being masculine is and as you grow up and experience more of the world, you become more comfortable with who you are. Today it’s easier to embrace masculinity in so many different things. I definitely find – through music, writing, talking with friends and being open – that some of the times when I feel most confident is when I’m allowing myself to be vulnerable. It’s something that I definitely try and do.
In conversation with Timothée Chalamet for i-D Magazine (2 November 2018) , 2018
People in general, not just girls, but people who are younger are obviously extremely impressionable. And I do think it’s important. There's obviously a lot of different body images that are thrown around in society in general. Some things look like they’re more acceptable and some things are made to feel like they’re unacceptable. So, I think it’s very important that it empowers people in general. I think that anytime you can make someone who potentially might not feel as great about themselves as they should, feel better about themselves, I think that’s always a positive thing.
Interview with Polish website Plejada (25 November 2015) , 2015
No. We don't really do that. We feel that objectifies women and that's not really what we're about.
When asked by a radio DJ if One Direction calls "dibs" on girls (26 June 2012) , 2012
Brooklyn saw me, empty at the newsThere's no water inside this swimming poolAlmost over, had enough from youAnd I've been praying, I never did beforeUnderstand I'm talking to the wallsI've been praying ever since New York
"Ever Since New York", written by Harry Styles, Mitch Rowland, Jeff Bhasker, Ryan Nasci, Alex Salibian, Tyler Johnson , 2017
We never learn, we been here beforeWhy are we always stuck and running fromThe bullets?The bullets?
"Sign of the Times", written by Harry Styles, Jeff Bhasker, Mitch Rowland, Ryan Nasci, Alex Salibian, Tyler Johnson , 2017
Timeline
The story of Harry Styles, told in moments.
Auditions for The X Factor as a solo contestant at 16. He sings "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder. He's eliminated. Then a judge suggests grouping five rejected solo acts into a band. They become One Direction. None of the five chose each other.
One Direction finishes third on The X Factor and signs with Simon Cowell's Syco Records. Their debut single "What Makes You Beautiful" sells 153,000 copies on its first day in the UK. They sell out Madison Square Garden before their debut album is released. Styles is 17.
One Direction releases Four, their fourth album in four years. The pace is relentless. Zayn Malik leaves the following year. The fractures are already showing.
One Direction goes on indefinite hiatus after selling over 70 million records. Styles signs a solo deal with Columbia Records. He also takes a role in Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk. Nolan casts him without knowing he's a pop star. He shaves his hair for the part.
Releases his self-titled debut solo album. Lead single "Sign of the Times" goes to number one in the UK. The album sounds nothing like One Direction: it's Bowie-influenced art rock with Laurel Canyon folk. Rolling Stone calls it one of the best debuts of the year. He is 23.
Becomes co-chair of the Met Gala alongside Lady Gaga, Serena Williams, and Alessandro Michele. Walks the red carpet in a sheer black Gucci blouse, a single pearl earring, and heeled boots. The outfit trends worldwide and accelerates a conversation about masculinity and fashion that he didn't start but now personifies.
Appears on the cover of Vogue wearing a blue Gucci dress. First solo male cover in the magazine's 128-year history. Candace Owens tweets "Bring back manly men." Styles posts a photo of himself in a banana-print suit eating a banana. Caption: "Bring back manly men."
Harry's House wins the Grammy for Album of the Year. "As It Was" is the number-one song globally for 2022 according to both Billboard and the IFPI. His Love On Tour residency sells 1.2 million tickets across 42 nights at 15 venues.
Love on Tour concludes after 173 shows across three years. One of the highest-grossing concert tours in history. Gross exceeds $600 million. He played Madison Square Garden 15 times.
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