Podcast Summary
One Direction: One Direction rose to fame through The X Factor and became the most successful boy band in history, surpassing the success of NSYNC and the Jonas Brothers.
Erin Dugal, a longtime member of the Smosh team, is a dedicated fan of One Direction, and in this episode, she shares the history and lore of the popular boy band. Both Shane and Amanda admit to being relatively uninformed about One Direction, despite the band's widespread popularity during their active years. The conversation reveals that One Direction gained prominence through the X Factor competition and reached unprecedented heights for a boy band, surpassing the success of earlier groups like NSYNC and the Jonas Brothers. The hosts also discuss their personal connections to earlier boy bands and share their experiences of discovering and becoming fans. Overall, the episode offers an engaging and informative exploration of One Direction's history and impact on pop culture.
One Direction fandom: Fans formed deep connections to One Direction and its members, collecting memorabilia and creating unique stories around each band member's personality.
Being a One Direction fan was a deeply personal and complex experience, filled with unique connections to each band member. Fans collected dolls and memorabilia, forming individual favorite characters and stories around each one. Zane was seen as the mysterious bad boy with great vocals, Harry was the charming front man, Niall was the happy-go-lucky Irish guy, and Louis was the class clown and music writer. Liam, who was often overlooked, later revealed himself to be an essential part of the group. The band's journey began with individual auditions on The X Factor, where they were almost eliminated, but eventually came together as a group due to their unique personalities and charm. Their debut performance was nearly derailed when Louis got injured but managed to recover and perform, cementing their success. Overall, One Direction fans formed deep connections to the band and its members, creating a rich and meaningful fandom experience.
Fandom's Role in Celebrity Success: Intangible factors like charisma, vibe, and personality play a crucial role in celebrity success, and a devoted fanbase can significantly impact their career.
The X Factor isn't just about raw talent. It's about the intangible "X Factor" which includes charisma, vibe, and personality. This was evident in the formation of One Direction, who finished in third place but gained a massive following due to their online fandom. Harry Styles, in particular, was identified by Simon Cowell for his charm and confidence, even if he didn't have the best voice. The fandom's intense devotion played a significant role in One Direction's success, leading to various extreme behaviors, from protests and leaked calls to hacking and even kidnapping attempts. While some fans were secret admirers like the speaker, others were openly vocal and passionate, creating a loud and crazy community.
Fandoms and Privacy: Fans have the power to influence artists and create change through their actions, but can also cross boundaries and invade artists' privacy.
The power of fandoms was demonstrated through the actions of fans who successfully advocated for Niall Horan to receive more solo performances in One Direction. This movement, called #LetNiallSing, showed that fans could come together and create change. However, the fans' obsession with the band went beyond harmless fandom, with some fans going to extreme lengths to get close to the members, including hacking into airport security footage and stealing personal items. These actions were devastating for the band members, who felt violated and invaded. Despite these invasive actions, some fans still held onto the hope of romantic connections with their idols, leading one fan to attempt to meet Harry Styles by sneaking into his hotel. Ultimately, the fans' actions showcased the intense passion and dedication of fandoms, but also the potential for harm and invasion of privacy.
Larry conspiracy theory: The intense dedication and creativity of fanbases can lead to the belief and spread of unfounded theories, such as the Larry conspiracy theory about Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson's secret relationship.
The One Direction fanbase had a deep-rooted belief in the Larry conspiracy theory, which held that Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson were in a secret relationship due to their management keeping them from coming out publicly. This belief stemmed from their close relationship as teenagers and the fanbase's belief that management wouldn't allow them to be open about their sexuality to maintain their girl fanbase. Despite the denials from Harry and Louis, the theory gained traction and even inspired a movement for them to come out. The Larry conspiracy theory is an example of the intense dedication and creativity of fanbases, even if the beliefs are not grounded in reality.
One Direction friendship theories: Fan theories have speculated about the nature of Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson's relationship in One Direction, with popular theories including matching tattoos, a shared love for chicken parmigiana, and confirmed relationships through bandana colors.
The relationship between Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson of the band One Direction has been the subject of numerous fan theories over the years. Two popular theories are that they got matching tattoos together and that they were in a romantic relationship. The tattoo theory stems from the fact that they both have nautical tattoos and the chicken parm theory suggests that Harry is Louis' girlfriend based on a shared love for chicken parmigiana. Another theory is that they confirmed their relationship through bandana colors at concerts. While these theories are not confirmed, they have fueled intense fan speculation and debate. Overall, the friendship between Harry and Louis has been a source of fascination for fans, leading to numerous theories and interpretations.
Larry Stylinson theory: The Larry Stylinson theory, a fan-created narrative surrounding the rumored secret relationship between Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson of One Direction, gained significant traction due to cryptic clues, media coverage, and widespread belief among fans, despite the lack of confirmation from the artists or their management.
The Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson fanbase, known as "Larry Stylinson," has a rich history of speculation and conspiracy theories surrounding the rumored secret relationship between the two One Direction members. This theory was fueled by various clues, including bear mascots with blue and green stickers, cryptic tweets, and apparent references to the number 28. Despite the lack of confirmation from the artists or their management, the theory gained significant traction among fans, leading to intense media coverage and widespread belief in the relationship. The theory continued even after One Direction's hiatus, with fans speculating about the reasons for Zayn Malik's departure and the potential significance of the number 28 in relation to Harry and Louis' solo careers. The Larry Stylinson theory showcases the power of fan culture and the lengths fans will go to create and believe in narratives surrounding their favorite celebrities.
One Direction conspiracy theories: Fans' intense devotion led them to believe various conspiracy theories about One Direction, including fake pregnancies and veiled references, fueled by events like Alan Rickman's death and the Queen's passing, but there is no concrete evidence to support these theories.
The departure of Zane from the popular boy band One Direction in 2015 was a shocking event for their fans, who believed it was the end of the band. The fans' intense devotion led them to believe various conspiracy theories, including that Zane's departure was covered up with a fake pregnancy, and that Harry Styles was making veiled references to Larry in his actions and fashion choices. The fans' belief in these theories was so strong that they even went as far as creating Instagram accounts and fanfics to support their beliefs. The death of Alan Rickman and the Queen's passing also fueled these theories, with fans believing that they knew the band's secret and were responsible for keeping them from coming out. Despite the fans' beliefs, there is no concrete evidence to support these theories, and the band has since been spotted hanging out together, leading to rumors of a reunion.
One Direction fanfiction: One Direction fanbase was known for its intense fanfiction community involving mature themes and strong attachment to band members, extending to merchandise and explicit content despite young age.
The One Direction fanbase was known for its intense fanfiction community, which often involved mature themes and a strong attachment to the band members. The fanbase's creativity extended to merchandise, with the band releasing perfumes and other items. The fanfiction often reflected the fans' infatuation with the band members and their longing for a connection with them. Some fans even went as far as writing explicit content, despite their young age. The fanbase's dedication to the band was evident in their creative outlets and their willingness to engage in imaginative stories.
Unexpected events in One Direction's lives: Unexpected pregnancies, public feuds, and personal challenges significantly impacted the lives and careers of Harry Styles and the members of One Direction, but they have managed to overcome these obstacles and continue to succeed individually.
The lives of Harry Styles and the members of One Direction were filled with unexpected twists and turns, from unexpected pregnancies and public feuds to individual successes and personal growth. Harry Styles' unexpected pregnancy with Darcy Louise Styl Tomlinson marked a significant direction change in his life, while the group experienced public feuds and personal challenges that tested their bonds. Despite these challenges, they have managed to mend their relationships and continue to thrive in their individual careers. The members of One Direction, including Harry Styles, have experienced a rollercoaster ride of success and personal growth, marked by unexpected events and challenges.
One Direction Fandom Community: The One Direction fandom is about more than just the band, it's about the connections fans have made through their shared love for the group, and this sense of community has stayed strong even after the band's split.
The One Direction fandom is more than just about the band itself, it's about the community and the connections fans have made through their shared love for the group. The fans' dedication and passion for One Direction led to the creation of a strong online community where they could connect and discuss their love for the band. This sense of community has stayed with fans even after the band's split, and if they were to reunite, fans would likely still come together to celebrate. The fans' deep connection to One Direction and to each other is a testament to the power of music and fandom. It's not just about the celebrities, but about the fans and the relationships they build with each other.