World domination

World domination

While the UK applauded the boys success, the news came that they had been offered a record deal in America – they were to sign to Columbia Records. The deal was made and in February 2012, Niall, Zayn, Liam, Harry and Louis went out to America to promote their debut single. They began a gruelling tour of the States, visiting radio stations and fans wherever they could and playing on world-renowned TV shows like The Today Show and Saturday Night Live. And their hard work paid off –‘What Makes You Beautiful’ debuted at No.28 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the highest entry for a British group’s debut single since the Spice Girls ‘Wannabe’ in 1997.

As One Direction continued on their travels, so the 1D Mania grew and the phenomenon gathered meteoric pace. Fans would line the streets outside studios, hotels and malls, hoping to meet their idols. In March 2012, the news came that Up All Night had entered the US Billboard 200 chart at number one – making music history as the first UK group to debut at No.1 with the debut album. The boys had done it, they’d officially cracked America!

It wasn’t just America either – Up All Night had gone to number one in 15 different countries across the world including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Sweden and Mexico. The group celebrated this astounding achievement by announcing they would play a headline show at the incredible Madison Square Garden in New York in December – a venue that has played host to the likes of Michael Jackson, Elton John, The Foo Fighters, Madonna and The Rolling Stones.

“We actually can’t believe we got a number one album in America,” Harry laughs. “We’re just teenage boys, how did that happen? And now we get to play some of the most incredible venues in the world. We’re so lucky.”

April saw One Direction pick up two Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice awards in LA, where they performed on stage alongside the likes of Katy Perry and Justin Bieber and in front of the First Lady of the United States, Michelle Obama. Their success was unprecedented and they now even had a celebrity following with the likes of Joe Jonas, Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift speaking out about how much they adored these five boys from over the pond.

“That was one of the most surreal days ever,” Liam revealed at the time. “Will Smith, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Michelle Obama - wow what it going on with my life!”
In celebration, they took their Up All Night tour to Australia and New Zealand. And it was from there that they announced that they will be going on an arena tour around North America this summer and then again in 2013 as part of their World Tour.

Niall smiles, “We’re very lucky lads. And we can’t wait to tour North America in the summer. And I’m so proud to be flying the flag for Ireland.”
Contemplating their whirlwind rise to fame and their amazing success, Liam smiles, “It’s amazing to think back to when we were first put together - and to the point we are at now. Things have moved so quickly, it’s got all of us in a massive state of shock. It’s so surreal to think of everything - like wining the BRIT, doing our first UK tour, having our first number one. I can’t believe all of this has happened to us five lucky guys. We love our fans and owe all our success entirely to them – we want them to know that.”
“And not only have I had a lot of fun making music and working in the music industry but I’ve made the four best mates and four brothers that I’d always wanted. I couldn’t ask to work with four nicer guys and I’m very proud to be in One Direction.”