Niall Horan opens up about life after One Direction and the complex emotions that can arise when watching his former bandmates reach new heights. The singer recently admitted that watching his friends like Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson release music and headline major tours sometimes leaves him with a feeling he describes as "almost envious.".
But it's not a matter of resentment. On the contrary, Niall says it motivates him to work harder.
Niall admitted he was "jealous" of Harry Styles' huge career success after One Direction split.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, the Irish singer discussed his solo careers since One Direction's hiatus in 2016 and explained how watching his former bandmates' success motivates him creatively.
«"Watching my friends release new stuff just adds fuel to the fire, there's almost something envious about it," Niall told the publication.
The 32-year-old singer quickly made it clear that this feeling stemmed from admiration, not resentment. While some artists strive for instant success, Niall said he is single-mindedly focused on building a long-term career.
«"My solo career has evolved gradually, which is the idea, because the goal is longevity," he told The Sunday Times. "My favorite artists have been around for 50 years.".
It seems this mindset is defining the next stage of his career. Niall is set to release his fourth studio album, Dinner Party, on June 5th, following the success of his 2023 album, The Show.
While he's happy to spend time away from the public eye, music remains his priority. "I love walking my dog, but that's what I was born to do," he said.
Naturally, the conversation eventually turned to the question One Direction fans never stop asking: will there ever be a reunion? "God knows," Niall admitted. "Look at Harry, look at Louis, they're absolutely brilliant.".
The comments come nearly a decade after the band's hiatus and less than two years after Liam Payne's death in October 2024. Payne's funeral marked the first time in years that Niall, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik publicly gathered.
Despite constant rumors of a reunion, Niall consistently expresses support for his former bandmates. Earlier this year, he praised Harry's music in a radio interview, calling one of his latest releases "a hit.". Original material prepared by Vanshika Vasundhare Singh for Mandatory.
The article "Niall Horan opens up about the emotional toll he felt watching his former One Direction bandmates achieve success" first appeared on Reality Tea.