Call For ‘Next One Direction’ Rises From Business World As Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan Move On


A Forbes opinion writer has made a call for music bigwigs to act quickly and find the next One Direction, saying that it is a perfect time to launch the next big boy band, now that Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Liam Payne are on hiatus.

“It’s hard to deny that the boys, who originally met on The X Factor and who have been busy conquering the world ever since, don’t deserve a bit of a break after the years they’ve had.”

Forbes contributor Hugh McIntyre marvels about the fact that labels and scouts are not scrambling with more determination to find the next One Direction. The columnist points out that One Direction enjoyed phenomenal success, and you would think that anyone with the resources to do so would be putting their energy into hunting down talent like Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson.

“It’s difficult to believe that record labels, managers, and anyone else with the resources to put together a male singing group wouldn’t be salivating to create the next One Direction, and for good reason… In the few years they were together, One Direction became one of the most successful acts in history, no matter how you look at it.”

McIntyre makes a call for aspiring Simon Cowells to step up and create new bands to fill the market gap. The columnist puts a figure out there as a motivator. McIntyre reminds readers that Forbes previously reported that the One Direction guys will earn $110 million in 2016. “So where are all the boy bands?” the columnist asks incredulously.

“This year, Forbes is reporting that the four members of One Direction will earn an incredible $110 million, so who wouldn’t want some of that now that there is no heir apparent? The market is open…so where are all the boy bands?”

McIntyre has previously written about the dearth of girl groups in contemporary pop, wondering if Fifth Harmony might finally be breaking this trend.

Forbes makes their call as Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Niall Horan reportedly move on to pursue solo career plans. Hollywood Life has just reported on Liam Payne’s solo career, saying that Payne will be sticking close to his One Direction pop roots as he develops solo material.

Liam reportedly considered the directions taken by his bandmate Harry Styles and ex-bandmate Zayn Malik when he was planning his own direction.

“Liam’s well aware Harry [Styles] is going for something a little rockier, while Zayn [Malik] is happy going down the R&B route. Liam will stick to what the 1D fans want and that’s sing-along pop music.”

Louis Tomlinson has indicated that he will pursue a career in television, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera. Louis will reportedly be mentored by his friend and One Direction’s creator, Simon Cowell.

Capital FM reports that Tomlinson made a splash during his guest appearance on America’s Got Talent, exchanging words with Spice Girl Mel B about fatherhood and bestowing the show’s highest honor — the golden buzzer — on one contestant, Jayna Brown, a homeless girl who impressed the judges with her beautiful vocals.

“Louis Tomlinson Made A 14Yr Old Homeless Girl Bawl Her Eyes Out On AGT Last Night.”

Louis Tomlinson’s hair was styled by a familiar One Direction face, Lou Teasdale, who is mentor to Louis’ sister Lottie Tomlinson.

Harry Styles has signed an $80 million solo record deal with Columbia, according to Daily Mail. Not only that, Styles is said to have impressed the cast and crew on the set of his first feature, Dunkirk, and has reportedly impressed director Christopher Nolan enough that Nolan will be calling Harry to offer “first refusal” on upcoming projects.

“The hunk is also keen to forge a movie career and is currently filming Christopher Nolan World War II drama, Dunkirk.”

As for Niall Horan, he is said to be signed to Simon Cowell’s Syco label. Former One Direction mentor Louis Walsh, who has reportedly said that One Direction is “over,” predicted that Niall Horan and Harry Styles will be the big breakout solo stars from the band, reports NME.

“Niall Horan was in the right place at the right time, he’s the luckiest guy in the world and he knows that… They made an awful lot of money but it’s over now for them and who’s going to have the solo career. I think Niall will do really well and Harry.”

This week marks six years since the One Direction journey began, and fans took to Twitter to celebrate the anniversary of the day when Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik were put together on the X Factor.

#6YearsOfOneDirection began trending on Twitter, with fans celebrating the boys and marveling about how much their idols have changed. Louis Tomlinson is now a father, Niall Horan an uncle, Harry Styles an actor, Zayn Malik a defector, and Liam Payne the paramour of Girls Aloud beauty Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.

[Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP]

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