One Direction stole my heart in 2010. As a “Directioner,” I became a die-hard fan. But one thing still remains: How are we only “Half a Heart” without them?
One Direction was formed on the British television show “X-Factor” in 2010. The band’s members were:
The group set records with its debut album in 2011, an outcome few predicted.
One Direction helped reshape pop culture with an authentic image. They did not wear matching outfits or perform choreographed routines; they were just themselves. That is what captured the fans — they were cute, funny guys and people loved them.
The band went on hiatus in 2016, though the boys remained active as solo artists. This year has been the most active year for almost each member since they were together in a band. Malik is performing a seven-show residency in Las Vegas. Horan has teased new music. Styles is scheduled to release an album March 6 and will go on tour. Tomlinson released a new album Jan. 23 and will start a world tour soon. Nostalgia for the mid-2010s has resurfaced online, and renewed attention on One Direction has increased that sentiment among fans.
Nostalgia
One Direction is a staple of our generation’s childhood. We grew up seeing them on merchandise in stores such as Claire’s and having themed birthday parties. The band was active during the rise of social media. Through platforms like Twitter, now known as X, and Instagram, the group created a sense of friendship by interacting with fans.
For a fan like me, who was 6 years old when the band was formed and had no business being on social media, I found that connection through their music videos. As a child, I used to pretend they were singing to me through the screen. It felt real. As delusional as I was, it was real for me. They had a fun, goofy vibe that could be felt through their music, videos and interviews. I rode that dopamine feeling for years, and I still do.
In the 2013 documentary “One Direction: This Is Us,” a neuroscientist explains fans’ intense emotional responses as a result of dopamine release in the brain. That response creates feelings of happiness and emotional reward, which can become associated with the band’s music. For me, listening to One Direction triggers memories tied to my childhood and a sense of freedom.
Parasocial
The perceived closeness fostered through music and social media can lead to parasocial relationships. A parasocial relationship is a one-sided connection in which an individual feels personally connected to a public figure who does not know them.
One Direction is not unique in inspiring parasocial relationships among fans. Many music artists and fan bases experience similar situations.
The rise of social media in the early 2010s amplified these connections. Fans were able to interact directly with the band and watch them post personal photos, making it no different than when a friend would post. It gives you the idea that you are friends with them, sharing personal photos.
As much as I like to be in denial about my parasocial relationship with the band, I have fallen victim to a mild relationship. I was in shock over Payne’s death. I made a TikTok immediately after it happened. I still can’t process that he is gone. I recently watched their documentary, and I cried because it made me realize I will never get to see them as a band again. It felt like seeing a friend you no longer talk to for the first time again.
I love One Direction. I will defend them like my life depends on it. I will talk about the boys to others as if they are my best friends and I know them personally. To this day, I am upset I never got to see them on tour.
During the band’s active years, fans organized fan projects. These included holding signs during concerts or creating visual displays using colored paper. A lot of the times the band would post about the projects and thank the fans, creating that personal connection.
Tomlinson and Horan are the most active members on X, as they respond to tweets and fans’ questions. Before Payne passed away, he regularly interacted with fans through livestreams, video chats and X.
The band created a culture where fans felt seen through their music. Fans also got to see their personal lives through the documentary and see how we changed their lives.
Parasocial relationships should be studied more; they are something that can’t be controlled but can be recognized and contained. One Direction was more than a pop trend, but a defining part of a generation’s childhood. They are the story of our lives.
