Louis William Tomlinson (/ˈluːiˈtɒmlɪnsən/LOO-eeTOM-lin-sən; bornLouis Troy Austin; 24 December 1991) is an English singer-songwriter. Born and raised inDoncaster, England, Tomlinson auditioned for British singing competitionThe X Factor as a solo artist in 2010, where he and four rejected solo contestants were placed into a group which became the British-Irish bandOne Direction, one of the best-selling boy bands of all time.
Following the group's hiatus in 2016, Tomlinson released "Just Hold On" withSteve Aoki as his debut solo single in December 2016. It peaked at number two on theUK Singles Chart and was certified platinum in the UK. In 2017, he released "Back to You" with American singerBebe Rexha and "Miss You". He appeared onDebrett's 2017 list of the most influential people in the UK. In 2018, he appeared on thefifteenth series ofThe X Factor as a judge and a mentor of the "Boys" category.
Tomlinson's debut solo studio album,Walls, was released in January 2020, where it debuted at number 4 in the UK and number 9 in the USBillboard 200. Tomlinson's second studio album,Faith in the Future, was released in November 2022, where it debuted at number 1 in the UK and number 5 in the USBillboard 200. Tomlinson commenced hisFaith in the Future World Tour in May 2023, which received critical acclaim and earned a nomination for best Live Act fromRolling Stone at their inaugural Rolling Stone UK Awards. His documentary film,All of Those Voices (2022), gained positive reviews from critics.
Praised for his lyricism, Tomlinson's musical style has been described asindie pop,Britpop, andindie rock, among others. Tomlinson has been involved in philanthropy since 2010, donating millions of pounds towards charities and participating in causes such asSoccer Aid. Tomlinson launched streetwear brand "28" in August 2023, incorporating his nativeWhite Rose of York into branding. He is the curator of the Away From Home Festival, an indie music festival.
Early life and family
Tomlinson was born as Louis Troy Austin on 24 December 1991[1][2] inDoncaster, South Yorkshire, England,[3] to then 18-year-old Johannah "Jay" Poulston and Troy Austin,[4][5] who left when he was an infant.[6] He is estranged from his father,[7] and took on his then-stepfather Mark Tomlinson's surname,[8] legally changing his name to Louis William Tomlinson.[7][4][9] He was raised with four younger half-sisters; Charlotte, Félicité (2000–2019), and twins Phoebe and Daisy from Poulston's marriage to Mark. He also has three other half-siblings; a younger paternal half-sister, Georgia, and twins Doris and Ernest (born 2014) from Poulston's marriage to Dan Deakin.[5]
Tomlinson attendedThe Hayfield School and later Hall Cross School (nowHall Cross Academy), both located in Doncaster. He failed his first year ofA levels at the Hayfield School and ended up going to Hall Cross School and starting his A levels again.[10]: 111, 114 He had a number of jobs, including positions at aVue cinema and atDoncaster Rovers football stadium as a waiter in the hospitality suites.[10]: 111 At Hall Cross, Tomlinson appeared in several musical productions, which gave him a sense of ambition and determination.[11]: 276, 281 [12][13] Taking the lead role of Danny Zuko in the Hall Cross musical production ofGrease motivated him to audition for the British singing competitionThe X Factor.[12][14]
Career
Early career
Tomlinson, along with two of his siblings, had extra roles inFat Friends. He met actorJames Corden on the set, who later became his friend. AfterFat Friends, he attended an acting school inBarnsley. He had small parts in anITV drama filmIf I Had You andBBC'sWaterloo Road.[10]: 109
Tomlinson was a singer in a school band called "The Rogue" for two years, covering acts such asOasis,Blink-182 andGreen Day. He was kicked out from the band at age 14, due to the guitarist wanting to be the singer.[15][16] Tomlinson has cited this experience as another motivation for him to audition forThe X Factor.[16] He auditioned forThe X Factor in 2009, but failed to progress past the producer's audition. He decided to return the following year.[11]: 282
Cowell chose to put them through to the live shows and later commented that their debut performance singing "Torn" convinced him that the group "were confident, fun, like a gang of friends and kind of fearless as well."[19] The group became Cowell's last act in the competition and quickly gained popularity in the UK.[19] One Direction finished in third place,[20] following which it was confirmed that the band had been signed by Cowell to a reported £2 millionSyco Music record contract.[21]
In September 2011, One Direction released their debut single "What Makes You Beautiful".[22] A global and commercial success,[23] it reached number one in the UK.[24] That November, their debut studio albumUp All Night was released in the UK and Ireland.[25] Released internationally in 2012, One Direction became the first UK group to have their debut album reach number one in the USA.[26] Following the album's release, they headlined theUp All Night Tour.[27] In September 2012, the band released the song "Live While We're Young", the lead single from their second album.[28] Another single, "Little Things", spawned the band's secondnumber one single in the UK.[29][30] Two months later, One Direction's second album,Take Me Home, was released.[31] Reaching number one on theBillboard 200, the group became the first boy band in US chart history to record two number-one albums in the same calendar year and first group since 2008 to record two number-one albums in the same year.[32]
Tomlinson in Glasgow, 2012
On 25 November 2013, One Direction releasedMidnight Memories, their third studio album, which became the best-selling album worldwide in 2013 with 4 million copies sold globally.[33] "Best Song Ever", the album's lead single, is their highest charting single in the US to date.[34] In April 2014, the band began their third headlining concert tour, and their first all-stadium tour, theWhere We Are Tour.[35][36]Madison Square Garden tickets, as reported byThe Hollywood Reporter, sold out in ten minutes,[37] and more shows were added due to "overwhelming demand".[38] Performing 69 shows in Europe, North America, and South America, the band averaged 49,848 attendees per show.[39] Grossing over $290 million, the tour was the highest-grossing tour of 2014.[40]
In November 2014, One Direction's fourth albumFour was released,[41] making it the last album to feature Malik.[42] Singles included "Steal My Girl" and "Night Changes", both of which achieved platinum status.[43][44] The album sold 387,000 copies in its first week in the United States, becoming the second-largest debut of the year.[45][46] One Direction became the only group in the history of theBillboard 200 albums chart to have their first four albums debut at number one.[47] In support of the album, they set off on theOn the Road Again Tour, grossing over $200 million.[48][49] In November 2015, One Direction's fifth album,Made in the A.M., was released.[50] The album reached number one in multiple countries, including the UK,[51] and reached number two on the USBillboard 200.[52]
Often being described as a part of the new "British Invasion" in the United States,[53][54] the group have been characterised as one of the most successful music acts in history,[55]: 16 with their popularity and fan hysteria often compared toBeatlemania.[56][57][58][59] One of the best-selling boy bands in history with over 70 million records sold,[60][61] the band was worth over $1 billion through various ventures, including merchandise and concert sales.[62] Tomlinson, alongside the rest of One Direction, voiced himself in 2016Family Guy episode "Run, Chris, Run".[63] The group went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016 to pursue individual projects.[64] Tomlinson recalled feeling "mortified" about the band's split, remarking that it felt like "another loss".[65][66] Tomlinson stated that he did not envision himself as a solo artist at the time, and argued against the split when the band discussed it.[67] In 2022, Tomlinson stated the split allowed him to find "new musical purpose".[68]
2015–2018: Television endeavours and first solo projects
Tomlinson again appeared onThe X Factor during thetwelfth series in 2015, assistingSimon Cowell with his decisions in the "Over 27s" category during the judges' houses stage.[69][70] Tomlinson indicated his interest in becoming a permanentX Factor judge during the group's hiatus.[71]
He was later featured as a guest judge in theeleventh season ofAmerica's Got Talent.[72] Tomlinson released his debut single "Just Hold On" on 10 December 2016, a collaborative effort with the American DJSteve Aoki.[73][74] Tomlinson and Aoki performed the song live for the first time onThe X Factorthirteenth series final on the day of its release. A few days prior to the performance, Tomlinson's mother died. He dedicated the song in her name and has considered that moment the hardest of his career and his life.[75][76] The single debuted and peaked at number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and reached number 1 on theBillboard Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart.[77][78]
In July 2017, Tomlinson released the single "Back to You" featuringBebe Rexha andDigital Farm Animals. The song peaked at number 8 on the UK Singles Chart and number 40 on theBillboard Hot 100 chart. The music video for the song was filmed inDoncaster, his natal city, at theDoncaster Rovers F.C Stadium.[67][79][80] That same year, he appeared onDebrett's list of the most influential people in the United Kingdom, and had signed a record deal withEpic Records.[81][82] In October 2017, Tomlinson released a promotional single "Just Like You" that peaked at number 99 on UK Official Charts,[83][84] which was followed by his second solo single "Miss You" in December 2017 that peaked at number 39 on the UK Charts.[85][86]
In February 2019, it was announced that Tomlinson had signed with newly-relaunchedArista Records;[92] his first release under the label, "Two of Us", was released on 7 March 2019. The song is a tribute to his mother.[93] Tomlinson released a single, "Kill My Mind", on 5 September 2019.[94][95] Described as a 90s inspiredindie pop record, the song received generally positive reviews.[96][97] The music video of "Kill My Mind" was released on 13 September, and was directed byCharlie Lightening.[98]
On 23 October 2019, Tomlinson released the third single, "We Made It",[99] alongside an announcement of his debut albumWalls, scheduled for release on 31 January 2020.[100] Furthermore, Tomlinson announced that he would embark on theLouis Tomlinson World Tour spanning over five months and visiting twenty countries.[101] On 23 November, Tomlinson released "Don't Let It Break Your Heart", the fourth single from his debut album.[102] On 17 January, he released "Walls", the fifth and the final single from his debut album.[103] The music video, which was shot inMorocco, was released on 20 January.[104][105]
Walls was released on 31 January 2020, debuting at number 4 on theUK Albums Chart, and number 9 on theBillboard 200 chart with 35,000 sales, which marked the first time in almost nine years an album for Arista Records hit the top 10 on the chart.[106][107]: 3 [108] Tomlinson was set to embark on his first solo tour, the Louis Tomlinson World Tour, in 2020, however postponed a majority of dates due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[109][110] In February 2022, Tomlinson resumed the tour inDallas, and the tour concluded in September of that year.[111][68]
In July 2020, Tomlinson announced that he had parted ways with Syco Music; he further announced he had begun writing his next album.[112] Tomlinson held a digital concert Live From London on 12 December 2020, which sold over 160 thousand tickets, breaking theGuinness World Record as the most livestreamed concert for a male solo artist of the year and the third overall.[113] The proceeds went to various charities such asFareShare, Crew Nation, Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice, Stagehand, as well as to tour crew who were struggling financially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[114]
In May 2021, Tomlinson announced that he had signed a global deal withBMG to release his second album.[115] In August 2022, tracks from his then-upcoming album wereleaked, with Tomlinson saying he was "gutted".[116] On 31 August, Tomlinson announced that his second albumFaith in the Future would be released on 11 November 2022.[117] The album's lead single, "Bigger Than Me", was released on 1 September.[118]Faith in the Future became Tomlinson's first solo album to debut at number 1 on the UK Albums Chart.[119] In the US, the record debuted at number 5 on theBillboard 200.[120]
2023–present:All of Those Voices andHow Did I Get Here?
Tomlinson's documentaryAll of Those Voices, which describes his personal journey of transitioning from a member of One Direction to a solo musician, released in limited theatres on 22 March 2023.[121] The documentary was directed by Charlie Lightening.[122] The film became available on the streaming platformParamount+ in October 2023.[123][124] Tomlinson's second world tour,Faith in the Future World Tour, commenced in North America in May 2023.[125] Asian concert dates in mid to late April were originally announced;[126] however, in early April it was announced that they were cancelled, citing "unforeseen circumstances".[127] He performed in North America and Europe in 2023 and Asia, Australia and Latin America in 2024.[128][129][126] In November 2023, shortly after performing inThe O2 Arena,[130] Tomlinson was nominated for the Live Act Award at theRolling Stone UK Awards.[131]
On 30 September 2025, Tomlinson released "Lemonade" as the lead single from his upcoming third studio album,How Did I Get Here?. The album is set to be released on 23 January 2026.[137][138] To support the album, Tomlinson will commence on the 2026How Did We Get Here? World Tour.[139][140] In October 2025, it was announced that Tomlinson would reunite with former band member Malik to star in a documentary series distributed byNetflix and produced by Campfire Studios. Directed by Nicola Marsh, the pair go on a road trip together, and discuss life, loss, and fatherhood. It is expected to premiere in 2026.[141][142] On 4 and 5 October, Tomlinson hosted and performed at the annual Away From Home Festival, held inCooperstown, New York.[143][144]
Initiatives
Producing
In 2015, Tomlinson created his own record label, Triple Strings Ltd, as an imprint of his then labelSyco Music.[145][146][147] It was reported he was working withSimon Cowell to create a girl band and held auditions in 2015.[148] He confirmed the news speaking toNoisey in 2017.[149] In 2021, having left Syco Music, he expressed interest in starting his own musical management company and owning a record label, commenting that the imprint did not fulfill his aim at nurturing prospective artists.[150][151] Triple Strings Ltd remained adormant company as of December 2022.[152]
In 2023, it was announced that Tomlinson, under his production company 78 Productions, would co-invest intoWaiting for the Rain with Strap Originals, the debut album by the English singerAndrew Cushin who supported the North America and Europe legs of the Faith in the Future World Tour.[153] 78 productions also produced Tomlinson's documentary filmAll of Those Voices (2023).[124]
The Away From Home Festival
Tomlinson wearing 28 at the 2021 Away From Home Festival
Tomlinson founded and curated the indie music festival Away From Home Festival.[154] In July 2021, he announced that he would perform for free to celebrate the return of live music after the shut down because of theCOVID pandemic. The first edition took place on 30 August 2021 atCrystal Palace Bowl,London. The lineup included such bands asThe Snuts andBilk.[155] The second annual edition of the festival took place on 30 August 2022 at Marenostrum Music Castle Park inMálaga onCosta del Sol, featuring artists such asThe Vaccines,Sun Room,STONE and Voodoos.[156] The festival attracted 17 thousand attendees and received positive reviews.[157] The third Away From Home Festival took place inCamaiore, Italy on 19 August 2023 and was supported by the likes ofBlossoms,The Cribs,Andrew Cushin andHotWax.[158][143] The fourth Away From Home Festival, and the first outside Europe, took place inMérida, Mexico, supported byKevin Kaarl,DMA's, andDylan.[159][160] The fifth took place inCooperstown, New York, in October 2025.[144][143]
28 (brand)
On 28 August 2023, Tomlinson officially launched his "28" streetwear-inspired unisex clothing line.[161] The brand has also been referred to as 28 Clothing and 28 Official Programme (28OP). Tomlinson described creating the brand as fulfilling a "creative itch that [he] wanted to scratch".[162] In July 2023, actorKit Connor wore a 28 piece in a photoshoot forThe Guardian.[163]
Tomlinson states that 28 is separate from his personal merchandise and stands "on its own two feet without his face attached". He had been interested in fashion since childhood, and toyed with the idea of creating a brand for over a decade.[162] TheWhite Rose of York is incorporated into the branding, as Tomlinson is from Yorkshire.[164]
Artistry
Tomlinson has been praised for his lyricism and songwriting.[165][99]He has the most writing credits inOne Direction out of all the band members,[166] with songwriting credits on the majority of the songs onMidnight Memories,Four, andMade in the A.M., and on a total of 38 songs across the band's discography.[165][167]Savan Kotecha credits Tomlinson with "leading the charge" in shifting 1D's music towards a more mature sound.[168]
Tomlinson's early influences and favourite artists includedRobbie Williams,The Fray,Green Day, andEd Sheeran.[169] In an interview withNow magazine, he said: "I've always loved Robbie. He's just so cheeky, he can get away with anything. His performances are unbelievable."[169] He described Sheeran as "phenomenal".[170]
During theCOVID-19 lockdown, Tomlinson became inspired by theRed Hot Chili Peppers' concert film. His second albumFaith in the Future was created with live performances in mind. Saskia Postema ofEuphoria described the album as "more confident and energetic", balanced between "rock-heavy and even some synth/funk-inspired tracks", such as "Written All Over Your Face".[176] The album saw Tomlinson revisit dance music, as theDMA's albumThe Glow gave him a new perspective on the genre.[177] DMA's had come to him for advice onThe Glow, and Johnny Took praised his "great ear for pop music – and music in general".[178] He also brought more artists than professional songwriters into the writing room.[179]
Lyrically, while Tomlinson's first album is heavily based on his personal experiences, his second delves more into conceptual, metaphorical, and creative storytelling, though not without emotional honesty, and broader ideas of love than solely romantic. Touching on topics such as grief, emotional pain, and times of difficulty and uncertainty, Tomlinson made a point of writing with optimism; "even when it gets a little bit darker emotionally, there is that hope at the end of it", he toldBillboard.[180]
Football
Tomlinson withMark Wright at Niall Horan Charity Football Challenge, 2014
Tomlinson, experienced with football as a player and manager of his own pub team Three Horseshoes, had agreed to play in a charity game at theKeepmoat Stadium in his home town of Doncaster to raise money for the Bluebell Wood Charity. His performance impressed professional football clubDoncaster Rovers, and after the game the club invited him to join on non-contract terms.[181][182] Tomlinson was a part of the club'sreserve team.[183] He was given the squad number 28 for the2013–14 season. Tomlinson stated the signing was "unbelievable", having been a lifelong fan of the club.[184]
On 3 September 2013, it was announced that Tomlinson would make his debut for Doncaster's Reserve team in theirCentral League fixture against theScunthorpe United reserve team on 18 September. Doncaster announced that despite the fixture being a reserve game they would set up a special ticket line for the match.[185] On 8 September, Tomlinson played forCeltic in another charity match organised to raise money for theStiliyan Petrov Cancer Foundation. During the game Tomlinson was injured following a tackle byAston Villa andEngland strikerGabriel Agbonlahor, and was substituted.[186] As a result of injuries sustained in the match, Tomlinson had to pull out of the Scunthorpe match, relegating himself to the bench.[187]
In his rescheduled debut for Doncaster's reserve side in the Central League, he came in as a 65th-minute substitute in a 0–0 game againstRotherham United on 26 February 2014, a charity match in aid of Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice selling more than 4,000 tickets.[188] Tomlinson later participated in a charity football match hosted by bandmateNiall Horan on 26 May 2014, at theKing Power Stadium.[189]
On 19 June 2014, Tomlinson and former chairmanJohn Ryan announced they planned a takeover over as joint-owners of Doncaster Rovers.[190] It was later announced the takeover had fallen through after they failed tocrowdfund the £2 million target.[191] Tomlinson returned to Celtic Park on 7 September 2014 to take part in the MAESTRIO Charity Match, having been recruited to play forRio Ferdinand's All-Stars againstPaul McStay's Maestros.[192][193] The match was attended by a crowd of around 25,000 with proceeds benefiting several charities includingUNICEF,War Child, the Celtic Foundation and the Rio Ferdinand Foundation.[194]
Philanthropy
Tomlinson has been involved in charity work throughout his career. He co-hosted a charity ball with bandmateLiam Payne and held byBelieve in Magic, an organisation that supported terminally ill children. Both Tomlinson and Payne got in a bidding war at the charity ball that resulted in Tomlinson donating £10,000 for Payne's face to be painted. He personally donated £2 million to Believe in Magic, while collectively he and Payne donated over £5 million.[195][196] He has been involved with Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice and was one their patrons.[197] A tweet by Tomlinson helped to promote the work of a cancer charity, Niamh's Next Step, in memory of a girl diagnosed withneuroblastoma.[198]
In April 2016, Tomlinson was announced to be joining theSoccer Aid 2016 star line-up, a biennial fundraiser for the children's organisationUNICEF. He played for the England squad alongsideRobbie Williams,Olly Murs,Paddy McGuinness,Jack Whitehall,Marvin Humes,John Bishop and others on 5 June 2016.[199] Tomlinson played against his bandmateNiall Horan, who appeared for the Rest of the World team.[200] In 2017, Tomlinson was featured in a charity single fundraising for victims of theGrenfell Tower fire.[201] Tomlinson shared donation links, made donations himself, and voiced his support for theBlack Lives Matter movement in May and June 2020. He attended theGeorge Floyd protests in London with his then-girlfriend Eleanor Calder.[202][203] In 2020, Tomlinson sold 160,000 tickets for a charity livestream, giving the profits toFareShare, Crew Nation, Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice, and his touring crew.[114]
Tomlinson began dating Eleanor Calder in late 2011.[207] They split in March 2015,[208] reunited in early 2017, and broke up again in 2022, as announced in January 2023.[207] In 2015, it was announced that Tomlinson was expecting a child with Briana Jungwirth, an American stylist.[209][210][211] Their son Freddie was born in 2016.[212][213] Tomlinson was in a relationship with American actressDanielle Campbell from November 2015 to December 2016.[214] Tomlinson has been in a relationship with television personalityZara McDermott since early 2025, publicly confirming the romance via a social media post in August.[215]
In December 2016, Tomlinson's mother, Johannah Deakin, died ofleukaemia at the age of 43.[4][216] In March 2019, Tomlinson's sister Félicité died from an accidental overdose at the age of 18.[217][218] As of 2020, Tomlinson resides in London.[219] He purchased a house inHollywood Hills in 2016, and sold it for $6.4 million in 2020.[219] On 4 March 2017, an altercation atLos Angeles International Airport involving a paparazzo and aggressive fans waiting for Tomlinson resulted in the singer being detained by airport security. He was initially charged with a misdemeanour, and posted bail of $20,000 soon after.[220][221] The matter was reportedly resolved by April 2017 and charges against Tomlinson were dropped.[222][223][224] Tomlinson's lawyerMartin Singer said in a statement toRolling Stone, "The paparazzi provoked and caused the altercation with Louis at the airport this morning. This is not the first or the last time that a paparazzi [sic] has created an altercation with a celebrity."[225] In November 2022, Tomlinson broke his upper right arm in a fall after a performance in New York. He underwent surgery, and his in-person promotional events that month were rescheduled for December.[226][227] Since One Direction's conception, Tomlinson has been subject to rumours and speculation of a romantic relationship between him and bandmateHarry Styles by conspiracy theorists known asLarries.[228][229]: 173–174 [230] Tomlinson has denied the rumours.[231]
^Graham, Stephen (2017). "'The X Factor' and reality television: beyond good and evil".Popular Music.36 (1). Cambridge University Press:6–20.doi:10.1017/S0261143016000635.
