The music mogul boldly declared, “He was the stand-out audition,” while a Polaroid of the 16-year-old was positioned over the happy, young faces of Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Harry Styles. Zayn Malik came next. That Payne could be the “leader” was acknowledged by the judges.
The production of a pop sensation seems to have taken only a few minutes, based on video evidence of the procedure.
“I’m in a boy band,” Payne texted his father with excitement after learning he had been chosen. At the time, he had no idea how his life would turn out.
In 2010, One Direction failed to win the X Factor. Matt Cardle won that title, and Rebecca Ferguson came in second. Only a small percentage of competitors, winners or not, had long-term success despite the series’ publicity. While scores more failed to make it, a select few, including Alexandra Burke, Olly Murs, Little Mix, and Leona Lewis, broke free from the reality TV label and maintained their careers.
