Louis Tomlinson admits it became ‘toxic’ comparing his solo music success to his One Direction bandmates’ achievements
Louis Tomlinson has admitted comparing his solo success against his fellow One Direction bandmates became ‘toxic’.
The singer, 32, revealed it took him time to stop comparing his music career to that of his former bandmates following their split in 2015.
He said comparisons to Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik became ‘a little bit toxic’.
But the performer has revealed that he has finally rid himself of his detrimental feelings surrounding his bandmates’ successes.
Asked if he still feels competitive with his fellow 1D stars, he told Brazil’s G1 publication: ‘No, I don’t, truthfully.
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Louis Tomlinson has admitted comparing his solo success against his fellow One Direction bandmates became ‘toxic’ (pictured in November 2023)
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One Direction pictured in February 2011 (L-R) Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Zayn Malik
‘But I do think that anyone who has been in a similar situation of being in a band and then kind of going out on your own, there is always that element of… the only thing you have to cross-reference with is other members of the band’
‘You start to think, “If they’re getting that, why am I not getting this” and it just becomes a little bit toxic,’ he added.
He insisted that despite comparing himself to the other performers, he has always been ‘immensely proud’ of each of them and that he believes the competitiveness is the nature of the music industry.
Harry is the most successful group member in numbers, having embarked on a career in acting alongside his chart-topping music.
Louis has previously been very open about feeling jealous of Harry’s career.
The pair were bandmates who first found fame on The X Factor in 2010 and went on to become one of the most successful boybands ever.
But after the split, the group all embarked on very different music paths.
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The singer, 32, revealed it took him time to stop comparing his music career to that of his former bandmates following their split in 2015 (pictured in 2012)
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He insisted that despite comparing himself to the other performers, he has always been ‘immensely proud’ of each of them (pictured October 2010)
Louis confessed that he struggled with feelings of jealousy at the start and said the band always suspected Harry would be the most successful solo act.
He told The Times: ‘Well, it’s not a surprise is it? We were always aware that Harry fit that mould, and it’s been an amazing thing to watch.
‘Envy? At the start maybe, when I was trying to find my feet, but it’s never healthy to cross-reference your own success with others is it?
‘These days I’m learning to elevate myself in those moments when I have to. I didn’t know how to do that before, but now? Now I know I f***ing can.’
Zayn left the group in early 2015 with the remaining four releasing another album – Made In The A.M. – before they went their separate ways, with Louis admitting he was ‘gutted’ and ‘bitter’ about the split.
In 2022, Louis said it ‘would be a shame’ if he and his fellow bandmates never reunite.