One Direction Fans: You Won’t Believe What They Have Done Now

One Direction fans are all too often lambasted as silly 12-year-old girls with an unhealthy boy-band obsession. Fans of the world’s biggest boy-band are certainly on the ball when it comes to news about One Direction and it cannot be denied that a small minority have tarnished the good name of ordinary decent fans the world over. Members of One Direction have always been quick to attribute their success to the loyalty of their millions of fans around the globe.

Just last month, One Direction celebrated their sixth anniversary, and Harry Styles joined his bandmates in thanking One Direction fans for their support, saying thank you “for everything you are and everything you’ve done.” Liam Payne added his thanks to One Direction fans, saying that he was grateful that fans had made him “part of something so amazing.”

Six years. I have no idea how to say thank you for all your support. For everything you are, and everything you've done, thank you. H

— Harry Styles. (@Harry_Styles) July 23, 2016

A key element in One Direction’s success story has been their ability to ride the wave of the social media revolution. The members of One Direction, separately and as a band, have amassed over 200 million followers across the various social media platforms. Within those huge numbers there are bound to be some who are obsessional, disturbed, and on occasion downright nasty. A mainstream media that seems obsessed with only reporting bad news is quick to highlight bad behavior by that small minority of One Direction fans.

Just this week, Unreality TV reported that One Direction fans could ruin Dunkirk director Christopher Nolan’s life. Apparently Harry Styles’ pal Nick Grimshaw said on his radio show that dealing with One Direction fans could be Nolan’s biggest ever challenge.

“Christopher Nolan has obviously made some incredible films, but I think the biggest challenge to date is going to be the wrath of Harry Styles fans on Twitter.

“If he doesn’t put him in enough, or puts him in too much, or there’s a bad angle, he might never be able to work again. Nolan’s life won’t be worth living.”

Earlier this month Page Six claimed that One Direction fans had reached a new low after one fan snapped a picture of Niall Horan sleeping on an aircraft. Now Niall was not pleased when he saw the picture on social media – he had asked that no-one took pictures of him as he was unwell – but notice how all 200 million One Direction fans are tainted by the actions of one person.

Sadly it has always been a reality that bad news sells, and some sections of the media are all too willing to report bad news when it comes to One Direction or their fans.

The reality is of course that as One Direction has matured so has their fanbase. It has been reported in The Inquisitr in the past that One Direction fan groups have done a huge amount to support charities favoured by members of One Direction. Fan group Rainbow Direction have created a safe space for One Direction fans on the internet, providing help and advice for LGBTQ+ fans and tackling homophobia within the One Direction fandom and beyond.

Award winning One Direction fan group One Direction NDA [No Drama Allowed] have taken a strong stance on cyberbullying and offer support and advice to One Direction fans on how to deal with the issue. One Direction NDA wanted to create a positive and safe place where any One Direction fan, regardless of their age, sexuality, gender or beliefs could interact with others who felt the same. They wanted to focus on all the great things that One Direction and their fans do and avoid the drama that is an inherent part of some sections of One Direction’s fandom.

Not content with winning awards One Direction NDA have been busy with charity drives for some of the boys’ favorite causes, and they have now moved their campaign to the next level. Doubtless sick of the negative press and stories that One Direction are finished, One Direction NDA have created an excellent website that highlights the incredible lengths that both the band members and fans go to in support of good causes.

The efforts of One Direction NDA and similar fan groups are all too often ignored by the mainstream press. As is so often the case in our world good work so often goes unnoticed as we concentrate on the negative. The actions and influence of One Direction fan groups should not be underestimated, they have the social media reach to connect with millions of like-minded fans.

When One Direction fans step out of line, the media is quick to condemn, perhaps rightly so, but as most of us stand idly by these One Direction fans are attempting to make the world of One Direction a better place. Surely this is something that we should celebrate.

[ Photo by AP Photo]