One Direction

 2010: The X Factor and formation

In 2010, all five members applied as solo candidates for the The X Factor, but failed to qualify for the "Boys" category. After suggestion by guest judge Nicole Scherzinger, the five were put into a band, thus qualifying for the "Groups" category. After the elimination of F.Y.D., Diva Fever and Belle Amie within four weeks, they were Simon Cowell's last act in the competition. One Direction finished third behind runner-up Rebecca Ferguson and winner Matt Cardle. Immediately after the final, their song "Forever Young", which would have been released if they had won The X Factor, was leaked onto the internet.

2011–present: Up All Night

Following The X Factor, the group signed a £2 million record contract with Syco Records. One Direction and nine other contestants from the series participated in the X Factor Live Tour from February 2011 to April 2011. The tour consisted of multiple stops within the UK and Ireland. On 29 July 2011, they made an appearance on Alan Carr: Chatty Man.

One Direction made an appearance on The Alan Titchmarsh Show on 4 April 2011 and Malik confirmed their debut single "What Makes You Beautiful" would be released in June, though it was pushed back to August in order to coincide with the launch of the eighth series of The X Factor, and then again to September. While on the show, One Direction also confirmed they are the new ambassadors for Pokémon.

They developed their debut album with Savan Kotecha and released their debut single "What Makes You Beautiful" on 11 September 2011. The song received its first airplay on 10 August on BBC Radio 1, and broke pre-order sales record for Sony Music. It entered the UK Singles Chart at No. 1 with 153,965 sales within the first week. As of December 2011 the single had sold 540,000 copies in the UK. 1 January 2012, it was revealed that 'What Makes You Beautiful' was the 20th biggest-selling single of 2011 on the UK Singles Chart. On 26 September, One Direction announced their debut headline UK tour, the Up All Night Tour, set for December 2011 and January 2012. The tour was sold out in minutes of release. One Direction performing on the Up All Night Tour (2012)

One Direction released their second single "Gotta Be You" on 13 November 2011.The single was followed by their debut studio album, Up All Night on 21 November. The album features songs written by Kelly Clarkson and Ed Sheeran. The album peaked at number two on the UK Albums Chart, selling 138,631 copies, and was the fastest-selling debut album on the UK Albums Chart of 2011. Up All Night was the sixteenth biggest selling album on the UK Albums Chart of 2011, with 468,000 copies sold. On 9 November 2011, One Direction also revealed that they will be touring the United States with Big Time Rush from February 2012 to March 2012.

On 6 January 2012, One Direction released their third single "One Thing" on 6 January 2012, in various European countries and was released in the United Kingdom, 13 February 2012. In the UK's singles week of release, "One Thing" became the highest climber of the week up seventeen places (26-9), peaking at number nine with 31,602 sales, becoming the third consecutive top ten single from Up All Night. 

 One Direction have signed a record deal with Columbia Records in the United States.The album was originally set for release in North America 23 March 2012, but was rescheduled for a one week earlier release 13 March 2012, with Columbia Records releasing a statement: "due to overwhelming fan demand, their debut album will be released one week early on 13 March 2012." "What Makes You Beautiful" was released via digital download in the United States, 14 February 2012. In the Unites States, "What Makes You Beautiful" became the highest Hot 100 debut for a U.K. act since 1998. The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number twenty-eight, while debuting at number twelve on the Hot Digital Songs Chart, selling 132,000 downloads in its first week.

The group is set to appear on the American channel Nickelodeon's TV show iCarly in 2012. One Direction will play them self and will perform "What Makes You Beautiful" in the episode. The air date of the episode has not been confirmed.

1. Zayn Malik

born Zain Jawaad Malik on 12 January 1993) in St. Luke's Hospital, is from West Lane Baildon, Bradford, England, UK. Zayn is British Pakistani. Zayn was born to Tricia and Yaser Malik. He has three sisters. He grew up in East Bowling, located approximately one mile south of Bradford city centre. He was a pupil at Lower Fields Primary School in East Bowling and went to Tong High School, a state comprehensive school. In 2010, Malik auditioned as solo candidate for the seventh series of The X Factor. His audition was initially not broadcast, but was shown after the series ended on companion show The Xtra Factor. Zayn was noted for becoming nervous in bootcamp, and when he was told he had to dance, he decided to remain backstage, effectively running the risk of elimination. Cowell noticed Zayn missing from the dance routine and went backstage and convinced him to return. At bootcamp Zayn failed to qualify for the "Boys" category and was put in One Direction.Zayn dated fellow X Factor contestant, Rebecca Ferguson, which caused controversy because of the six year age difference. The relationship ended after 4 months together. In November 2011, Ferguson stated the following in an interview: "Me and Zayn just grew apart. I wish him all the best."

2. Liam Payne

born Liam James Payne on 29 August 1993, is from Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK. Liam was 5 years old when he first found his love for music. He was a music technology student at City of Wolverhampton College, a Further Education College. Liam had auditioned in 2008 to The X Factor's fifth series when he was 14 and reached judges' houses, but Cowell thought he was not ready for the competition and asked him to come back in two years. This time, Liam auditioned singing "Cry Me a River", and received a standing ovation from the audience and Simon Cowell. At bootcamp, he sang "Stop Crying Your Heart Out" before being rejected and put into One Direction.

3. Harry Styles

born Harry Edward Styles on on 1 February 1994, is from Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, UK and was a pupil at Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School, a state comprehensive school.Harry  was the lead singer for the band White Eskimo with band members lead guitarist Haydn Morris, bass guitarist Nick Clough and drummer Will Sweeny. Harry auditioned with "Isn't She Lovely" and received positive comments from two of the three judges present at his audition, with Louis Walsh having doubts on whether he was ready to progress in the competition. At bootcamp, he sang "Stop Crying Your Heart Out" before being rejected and put into One Direction. Harry currently resides with band member Louis Tomlinson in North London. Harry is often referred to as Larry Stylinson, due to his friendship with Tomlinson. Harry briefly dated Caroline Flack, which caused widespread media controversy over their fifteen year age gap.

4. Niall Horan 

 

born Niall James Horan on 13 September 1993 in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Republic of Ireland. He was a pupil at Coláiste Mhuire, Mullingar, a boys' CBS secondary school. Niall played numerous gigs around his homeland including as a support act for Lloyd Daniels (in Dublin). He plays the guitar since his childhood. In an interview he referred to his guitar as "the best present I ever received for Christmas".. In 2010, Niall auditioned as solo candidate for the seventh series of The X Factor, Horan auditioned with "So Sick" and received mixed comments from judges present at his audition, with Louis Walsh in his favour. While two other judges having doubts on whether he was ready to progress in the competition. With three votes out of four he was sent to bootcamp. At bootcamp, he sang "Champagne Supernova" but failed to qualify for the "Boys" category and was put in One Direction. In late 2011, Niall was rumoured to be dating eight series The X Factor contestant Amelia Lily. Both parties later confirmed that they were not in a relationship

5. Louis Tomlinson

 

born Louis William Tomlinson on on 24 December 1991. Louis is from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, UK. He has four sisters, Charlotte, Felicite and two twins, Daisy and Phoebe. He was a sixth form student at Hall Cross School, a state comprehensive school, and a previous pupil at The Hayfield School. In 2010, Louis auditioned as solo candidate for the seventh series of The X Factor. Louis auditioned for The X Factor with the song "Hey There Delilah", and received three votes from the three judges present at his audition. At bootcamp, he sang "Make You Feel My Love" before being rejected and put into One Direction. Louis Tomlinson currently resides with band member Harry Styles in North London. Louis is often referred to has Larry Stylinson, due to his friendship with Harry.. Louis in an interview stated that if he wouldn't have become a professional singer he would have a drama teacher. Louis is currently in a relationship with model Eleanor Calder.