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Louis Tomlinson has opened up about his time in One Direction, revealing that one of the band's biggest hits was never a personal favourite to perform on stage.
Speaking during an interview on BBC Radio 2 with Scott Mills, the singer reflected on the group's early years and admitted that their breakout 2011 single What Makes You Beautiful was "always, always, always" his least favourite track to sing live. Despite the song's global success and role in launching the band's career, Tomlinson explained that it didn't quite align with how he felt at the time.
"Two reasons on that: It's definitely our most pop and most bubble gum pop moment," he said, pointing to the song's upbeat, polished style. While the track quickly became a defining anthem for the group, he suggested it leaned heavily into a sound that didn't always feel natural to him.
He also highlighted how performing the song live added to his discomfort, especially in the early stages of One Direction's rise. "Performing that always felt so eggy," he admitted, noting that he was just 18 at the time and still adjusting to fame. He explained that being in a boy band wasn't initially seen as "the coolest thing," even though that perception changed as the group's popularity skyrocketed.
Tomlinson further reflected on the lyrics themselves, suggesting they contributed to the awkwardness he felt on stage. Referring to the well-known line from the chorus, he said,
"Honestly, it wouldn't be out of place in a Disney film," adding that "it did just feel a little corny."
Still, the singer was quick to acknowledge the importance of the track in shaping his career. "I'm not undermining the journey, 'cause obviously it worked out great," he said, crediting the song for opening doors and helping establish the band's global presence. "It was a great song, and I probably have my whole career to thank for it."
Beyond What Makes You Beautiful, Tomlinson also shared thoughts on other tracks from the band's catalogue, even joking that Up All Night was "a bad song."
On the other hand, he pointed to Story of My Life as a standout moment for the group. "My favorite One Direction song as it is, on record, is probably 'Story Of My Life.' I think that was a real moment," he said, describing it as a turning point that helped redefine the band's image.
