One Direction On Top Of The World Again: Should We Be Surprised?

British boy-band One Direction is on top of the world again after being named as the biggest British band in the world for the third straight year. It is well known that One Direction was thrown together on the 2010 season of Simon Cowell’s X-Factor after they auditioned separately as solo artists. One Direction was a runner-up on the show, but have since gone on to be one of the most successful acts of the modern era.

Many question the credibility of acts like One Direction, claiming that they are “manufactured,” and that their success is more the result of the power of Simon Cowell’s publicity machine rather than any genuine talent. Is that criticism fair? Well lets check out some facts.

Unbelievably, One Direction has won no less than 187 awards in their short career. The band has been nominated for no fewer than 310 other awards. Who would bet against One Direction walking away with further awards in this year’s Brit Awards that takes place at London’s O2 arena tonight, February 25?

Last year’s One Direction world tour was seen by an estimated 3.5 million fans and made the band over $250 million. That made One Direction the biggest selling touring artist of 2014. That tour only concluded in October, but One Direction is already “On The Road Again” with another 80-date world tour in support of their most recent album “Four.” One Direction’s latest release debuted at No. 1 in no less than 18 countries including the the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States.

One Direction, comprised of Niall Horan, Zayn Mailk, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne, is the first act ever to debut at No. 1 in the Billboard chart with each of their first four albums. Given those facts and figures, it should come as absolutely no surprise that industry body IFPI (International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry) confirmed yesterday that One Direction is the biggest British act on the planet for the third year in a row.

According to Sky News One Direction’s mentor Simon Cowell was quick to praise the band’s phenomenal success.

“I am absolutely delighted, and immensely proud, that One Direction were the biggest UK act in the world in 2014.”

“To accomplish this for a third year in a row is a fantastic achievement, and especially pleasing as this latest album also highlighted the band’s skills as songwriters.”

One Direction is currently on tour in Japan, but Digital Spy reports that they are delighted with this latest recognition and passed their thanks to their legions of fans across the world.

“We just want to thank all our amazing fans everywhere. Every time we visit a new country we feel instantly accepted and it’s mind blowing to think the five of us have been able to connect with so many people.”

One Direction may have been dissed by Kasabian as “five no-ones who won the lottery” last week, but it is clear they are doing something right.

[Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images ]