Niall Horan says he was afraid to go out after being chased by One Direction fans
Niall Horan said he was “terrified” to go out after being “hounded” by fans while on tour with One Direction.
The Irish singer-songwriter – who rose to fame on ‘The X Factor’ alongside band members Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik – spoke to him Cosmopolitan Britain about the release of his new album.
Horan also opened up about his One Direction years, saying, “I loved touring, but it was freakin’ crazy.”
“We’ve traveled to countries and never seen a second of it — it was hotel, venue, plane, same thing again,” he said.
“We couldn’t get out of the (hotel) door. If you go out in the car, you will be seen (by the fans) and chased.”
He added, “I understand why that was, but it made me feel like when I came back to London I was scared to go out. There was a time when I actually couldn’t.”
His boy band went on indefinite hiatus six years after forming in 2010 and went on to become one of the biggest pop groups in the world with five albums and four world tours.
Malik left the band in 2015 to pursue a solo career.
The 29-year-old, who has launched a solo career that includes hits “Slow Hands” and “Heaven,” said he was “excited” and “nervous” to release his third album. The show.
He added, “I hope I didn’t waste 18 months writing something so people wouldn’t like it… There’s no heartbreaking stuff (on this album) so there had to be a new concept.”
Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial
“The only good thing about the pandemic for me was that I was actually happy to be quiet. I had time to breathe; I realized it doesn’t always have to be a thousand miles an hour.”
Horan, who played for US President Joe Biden at the White House for St. Patrick’s Day in March, also spoke about his friendship with 26-year-old Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi, whom he called a “diamond geezer”.
He added: “There isn’t a single bad bone in his body. He’s a solid friend and also happens to be one of the funniest guys you’ve ever met in your life.”
Horan also said that “famous people” don’t always know each other.
He said: “You’re not friends with everyone in your office, are you? I remember seeing (Magic Mike actor) Channing Tatum on the plane.
“I had never met the guy in real life but he waved. We laughed later. He felt like I felt like I needed to have that symbolic celebrity-to-celebrity moment.’”
The full interview with Horan the new guy Cosmopolitan Britain digital cover star, is available on the magazine’s website.
