Louis Tomlinson says he’s been envious of Harry Styles’ solo success

Dominique Hines
·2 min read
Louis Tomlinson has admitted to being envious of Harry Styles solo success (PA Archive)
Louis Tomlinson has admitted to being envious of Harry Styles solo success (PA Archive)
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Louis Tomlinson has admitted that he’s been envious over former One Direction bandmate Harry Styles’ solo success.

When asked how he felt about Styles having become one of the biggest solo acts in the world since the band split in 2016, he said: "Well, it’s not a surprise is it?

"We were always aware that Harry fit that mould, and it’s been an amazing thing to watch."

Asked if he envied his success, he replied: “Envy?

“At the start maybe, when I was trying to find my feet, but it’s never healthy to cross-reference your own success with others is it?

Styles recently won the coveted Album Of The Year Award at the Grammys (AP)
Styles recently won the coveted Album Of The Year Award at the Grammys (AP)

"These days I’m learning to elevate myself in those moments when I have to. I didn’t know how to do that before, but now? Now I know I f*****g can."

Styles, Tomlinson and their other band members Zayn Malik, Nial Horan and Liam Payne, became household names in the UK when they were put together as One Direction on 2010’s The X Factor.

Their boy band went on to become one the world’s most successful.

After splitting in 2016 all five members embarked on solo careers but Styles has eclipsed them all.

Tomlinson (L) and Styles onstage during the Jingle Ball in Dllas, Texas in 2015 - a year before the group split (Getty)
Tomlinson (L) and Styles onstage during the Jingle Ball in Dllas, Texas in 2015 - a year before the group split (Getty)

The 28-year-old has released three Number One albums and scored three Grammy Awards.

Tomlinson, whose debut album, Walls, managed to get to Number Four in the UK charts and made little impact globally.

He also waded in on Styles’ recent "tone deaf" acceptance speech for Album Of The Year at the Grammys when he said “people like me’ don’t win Grammys".

Fans pointed out that as a white, cisgender male, this was untrue.

"Only Harry knows what he means there, it’s hard to speculate,” said Tomlinson. “But we all came from relatively humble beginnings, and now we are where we are."

(L-R) One Direction’s Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan back in 2012 (Getty)
(L-R) One Direction’s Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan back in 2012 (Getty)

The star also added that he doesn’t see a One Direction reunion happening anytime soon.

"Getting back together at some point is hard to imagine right now,” he said.

“ [But] I’d be surprised if we lived out our lives and didn’t have a moment where we had a reunion, or whatever you want to call it.

"I’d be up for that."