Louis Tomlinson (/ˈluːiˈtɒmlɪnsən/; born 24 December 1991) is an English singer, songwriter, and fashion designer. 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 would be placed into a group which would become 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 No. 4 in the UK and No. 9 in the USBillboard 200. Tomlinson's second studio album,Faith in the Future, was released in November 2022, where it debuted at No. 1 in the UK and No. 5 in the USBillboard 200. Tomlinson would commence hisFaith in the Future World Tour in May 2023, earning him critical acclaim and leading to him being nominated byRolling Stone for best Live Act at their inaugural Rolling Stone UK Awards. His documentary film,All of Those Voices (2022), earned 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 extensive 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
Louis was born 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, legally changing his name to Louis Tomlinson.[7][4] 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.[8]: 111, 114 He had a number of jobs, including at aVue cinema and atDoncaster Rovers football stadium as a waiter in the hospitality suites.[8]: 111 At Hall Cross, Tomlinson appeared in several musical productions, which gave him a sense of ambition and determination.[9]: 276, 281 [10][11] Taking the lead role of Danny Zuko in the Hall Cross musical production ofGrease motivated him to audition forThe X Factor.[10][12]
Career
Early career
Tomlinson, along with two of his siblings, had extra roles inFat Friends. He met actorJames Corden on the set, who would later become his friend. AfterFat Friends, he attended an acting school inBarnsley. He had small parts in anITV drama filmIf I Had You andBBC'sWaterloo Road.[8]: 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.[13][14] Tomlinson has cited this experience as motivation for him to audition forThe X Factor.[14] Tomlinson auditioned forThe X Factor in 2009, but failed to progress past the producer's audition. He decided to return the following year.[9]: 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."[17] The group became Cowell's last act in the competition and quickly gained popularity in the UK.[17] One Direction finished in third place,[18] following which it was confirmed that the band had been signed by Cowell to a reported £2 millionSyco Music record contract.[19]
Tomlinson in Glasgow, 2012
In September 2011, One Direction released their debut single "What Makes You Beautiful".[20] A global and commercial success,[21] it reached number one in the UK.[22] That November, their debut studio albumUp All Night was released in the UK and Ireland.[23] Released internationally in 2012, One Direction became the first UK group to have their debut album reach number one in the USA.[24] Following the album's release, they headlined theUp All Night Tour. The tour was a commercial success, with tickets selling out in minutes in some locations.[25] In September 2012, the band released the song "Live While We're Young", the lead single from their second album.[26] Another single, "Little Things", spawned the band's secondnumber one single in the UK.[27][28] Two months later, One Direction's second album,Take Me Home, was released.[29] 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 alongside becoming the first group since 2008 to record two number-one albums in the same year.[30]
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.[31] "Best Song Ever", the album's lead single, is their highest charting single in the US to date.[32] In April 2014, the band began their third headlining concert tour, and their first all-stadium tour, theWhere We Are Tour.[33][34] Tickets were reported to sell out in minutes,[35] and more shows were added due to "overwhelming demand".[36] Performing 69 shows in Europe, North America, and South America, the band averaged 49,848 fans per show.[37] Grossing over $290 million, the tour was the highest-grossing tour of 2014,[38] the 15thhighest-grossing concert tour of all time and the highest-grossing tour of all time by a vocal group.[39] In November 2014, One Direction's fourth albumFour was released,[40] making it the last album to featureZayn Malik.[41] Singles included "Steal My Girl" and "Night Changes", both of which achieved platinum status.[42][43] The album sold 387,000 copies in its first week in the United States, becoming the second-largest debut of the year.[44][45] One Direction became the only group in the 58-year history of theBillboard 200 albums chart to have their first four albums debut at number one.[46] In support of the album, they set off on theOn the Road Again Tour, grossing over $200 million.[47][48] In November 2015, One Direction's fifth album,Made in the A.M., was released.[49] The album reached number one in multiple countries, including the UK,[50] and it reached number two on the USBillboard 200.[51]
Often being described as forming part of a new "British Invasion" in the United States,[52][53] the group have been described as one of the most successful music acts in history,[54]: 16 with their popularity and fan hysteria often compared toBeatlemania.[55][56][57][58] One of the best-selling boy bands in history with over 70 million records sold,[59] the band is worth over $1 billion through various ventures, including merchandise and concert sales.[60] Tomlinson voiced himself in 2016Family Guy episode "Run, Chris, Run".[61] The group went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016 to pursue individual projects.[62] Tomlinson recalled feeling "mortified" about the band's split, remarking that it felt like "another loss".[63][64] 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.[65] In 2022, Tomlinson stated the split allowed him to find "new musical purpose".[66]
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 26s" category during the judges' houses stage.[67][68] Tomlinson indicated his interest in becoming a permanentX Factor judge during the group's hiatus.[69] He later featured in theeleventh season ofAmerica's Got Talent as a guest judge.[70] Tomlinson released his debut single "Just Hold On", a collaborative effort with American DJSteve Aoki on 10 December 2016.[71] 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 her and considers that moment the hardest of his career and life.[72][73] The single debuted and peaked at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart and reached No. 1 on theBillboard Dance/Electronic Digital Song Sales chart.[74][75]
In July 2017, Tomlinson released the single "Back to You" featuringBebe Rexha andDigital Farm Animals. The song peaked at No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 40 on theBillboard Hot 100 chart. The music video for the song was filmed inDoncaster, his natal city, at theDoncaster Rovers F.C Stadium.[65][76][77] That same year, he appeared onDebrett's list of the most influential people in the United Kingdom.[78] Later, it was announced that Tomlinson had signed a record deal withEpic Records.[79] In October 2017, Tomlinson released a promotional single "Just Like You" which peaked at No. 99 on UK Official Charts.[80][81] Following that, he released his second solo single "Miss You" in December 2017 which peaked at No. 39 on the UK Charts.[82][83]
In February 2019, it was announced that Tomlinson had signed with newly-relaunchedArista Records;[89] his first release under the label, "Two of Us", was released on 7 March 2019. The song is a tribute to his mother.[90] Tomlinson released a single, "Kill My Mind", on 5 September 2019.[91][92] Described as a 90s inspiredindie pop record, the song received generally positive reviews.[93][94] The music video of "Kill My Mind" was released on 13 September, and was directed by Charlie Lightening.[95]
On 23 October 2019, Tomlinson released the third single of his upcoming album, "We Made It".[96] The same day, Tomlinson announced that he would be embarking on theLouis Tomlinson World Tour, spanning over five months and visiting 20 countries.[97] Furthermore, he announced that his debut album was entitledWalls and was scheduled to be released on 31 January 2020.[98] On 23 November, Tomlinson released "Don't Let It Break Your Heart", the fourth single from his debut album.[99] On 17 January, he released "Walls", the fifth and the final single from his debut album.[100] The music video, which was shot inMorocco, was released on 20 January.[101][102]
On 31 January 2020, his debut solo albumWalls was released. The album debuted at No. 4 on theUK Albums Chart,[103] and No. 9 on theBillboard 200 chart with 35,000 sales,[104]: 3 making it the first new album forArista Records in almost nine years to hit the top 10 on the chart.[105] Tomlinson was set to embark on his first solo tour, theLouis Tomlinson World Tour, in 2020, however postponed a majority of dates due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[106][107] In February 2022, Tomlinson resumed the tour inDallas, and the tour concluded in September of that year.[108][66]
In July 2020, Tomlinson announced that he had parted ways with Syco Music; he further announced he had begun writing his next album.[109] 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.[110][111] 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 theCOVID-19 pandemic.[112]
2022–present:Faith in the Future andAll of Those Voices
In May 2021, Tomlinson announced that he had signed a global deal withBMG to release his second album.[113] In August 2022, tracks from his upcoming album wereleaked, with Tomlinson saying he was "gutted".[114] On 31 August, Tomlinson announced that his second albumFaith in the Future would be released on 11 November 2022.[115] The album's lead single, "Bigger Than Me", was released on 1 September.[116]Faith in the Future became Tomlinson's first solo album to debut at No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart.[117] In the US, the record debuted at No.5 on theBillboard Charts.[118]
Tomlinson's documentaryAll of Those Voices, which describes his personal journey of transitioning from a member ofOne Direction to a solo musician, released in limited theatres on 22 March 2023.[119] The documentary was directed by Charlie Lightening.[120] The film has been available to stream onParamount+ since October 2023.[121][122]
Tomlinson's second world tour,Faith in the Future World Tour, commenced in North America in May 2023.[123] Asian concert dates in mid to late April were originally announced;[124] however, in early April it was announced that they were cancelled, citing "unforeseen circumstances".[125] He performed in North America and Europe in 2023 and Asia, Australia and Latin America in 2024.[126][127][124] In November 2023, shortly after performing inThe O2 Arena,[128] Tomlinson was nominated for the Live Act Award at theRolling Stone UK Awards.[129][130] During the Latin America leg, Tomlinson became the first male solo artist to headlineMexico City'sAutódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. He held a charity livestream of the event titledFor Every Question Why, the proceeds of which went toWar Child UK.[131]
In 2015, Tomlinson created his own record label, Triple Strings Ltd, as an imprint of his then labelSyco Music.[137][138][139] It was reported he was working withSimon Cowell to create a girl band and held auditions in 2015.[140] He confirmed the news speaking toNoisey in 2017.[141] 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.[142][143] Triple Strings Ltd remained adormant company as of December 2022.[144]
In 2023, upon English singerAndrew Cushin supporting the North America and Europe legs of theFaith in the Future World Tour, it was announced Tomlinson, under 78 Productions, would be co-investing in Cushin's debut albumWaiting for the Rain with Strap Originals.[145]
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.[146] In July 2021, he announced that he would be performing 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 bands asThe Snuts andBilk.[147] 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.[148] The festival attracted 17 thousand fans and received positive reviews.[149] 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.[150] The fourth Away From Home Festival, and the first outside Europe, took place inMérida, Mexico, supported byKevin Kaarl,DMA's, andDylan.[151][152]
28 (brand)
On 28 August 2023, Tomlinson officially launched his "28" streetwear-inspired unisex clothing line.[153] 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".[154] In July 2023, actorKit Connor wore a 28 piece in a photoshoot forThe Guardian.[155]
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.[154] TheWhite Rose of York is incorporated into the branding, as Tomlinson is from Yorkshire.[156]
Artistry
Tomlinson has been praised for his lyricism and songwriting.[157][96]He has the most writing credits inOne Direction out of all the band members,[158] 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.[157][159]Savan Kotecha credits Tomlinson with "leading the charge" in shifting 1D's music towards a more mature sound.[160]
Tomlinson's early influences and favourite artists includedRobbie Williams,The Fray,Green Day, andEd Sheeran.[161] 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."[161] He described Sheeran as "phenomenal".[162]
For his solo music, Tomlinson's first few singles ranged in genre, beginning withEDM andsynthpop before shifting towards arockier sound.[163] In an interview withBBC Music following the release of "Miss You", Tomlinson said lyrically his debut album is inspired byArctic Monkeys andOasis. He declared:
My whole mission with this album is to not write these Hollywood-esque songs that talk about some unfathomable crazy love story. I'm so bored of that... Because I'm from up north, I grew up loving the likes of the Arctic Monkeys and Oasis. And the way they tell stories is such an effortless thing. It's real, it's honest and it's to the point, you know? Now, any of the Arctic Monkeys would be devastated to hear me talking like this, but there is a way of incorporating that conversational honesty into pop.[157]
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".[170]DMA's had come to him for advice onThe Glow, and Johnny Took praised his "great ear for pop music – and music in general".[171] He also brought more artists than professional songwriters into the writing room.[172] 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.[173]
Football
Tomlinson withMark Wright at Niall Horan Charity Football Challenge, 2014
Tomlinson, whose previous football experience had been to play and run his own pub team called Three Horseshoes, had agreed to play in a charity game at theKeepmoat Stadium in his home town ofDoncaster to raise money for the Bluebell Wood Charity and was offered a deal by professional football clubDoncaster Rovers to join the club on non-contract terms after impressing in the game.[174][175] The deal was brokered for Tomlinson to be a development player and to participate in reserve games, working around his music commitments with One Direction. He was given the squad number 28 for the2013–14 season. Tomlinson said of the move: "It's unbelievable really. I have been a massive football fan for a long time and growing up in Doncaster, I've been to plenty of games at the Keepmoat. To be part of the club is incredible." Rovers managerPaul Dickov joked, "He's missed pre-season training and he's having a holiday in America, so we'd better get him over here pretty soon."[176]
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 be setting up a special ticket line for the match.[177] On 8 September, Tomlinson played forCeltic in another charity match forStiliyan Petrov. During the game Tomlinson was injured following a tackle byAston Villa andEngland strikerGabriel Agbonlahor and was substituted straight away. The tackle consequently caused Agbonlahor to receive abuse from One Direction fans on his Twitter account, and brought an apology from the player.[178] As a result of injuries sustained in the match, Tomlinson was then forced to pull out of the Scunthorpe match, relegating himself to the bench.[179]
His rescheduled debut for Doncaster's reserve side in the Central League came 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 attended by a crowd in excess of 4,000.[180] Tomlinson later participated in bandmateNiall Horan's Charity Football Challenge on 26 May 2014, at theKing Power Stadium.[181]
On 19 June 2014, Tomlinson and former chairmanJohn Ryan confirmed they had taken over as joint-owners of Doncaster Rovers.[182] It was later announced the takeover had fallen through, though Tomlinson continues to be involved with the club.[183] 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.[184][185] 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.[186]
Philanthropy
Tomlinson has been involved in charity work throughout his career. He co-hosted a charity ball with band memberLiam Payne held byBelieve in Magic, an organisation that supported terminally ill children. Both Tomlinson and Payne got in a bidding war at the charity ball which 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.[187][188] He has been involved with Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice and was one their patrons.[189] A tweet by Tomlinson helped to promote the work of a cancer charity, Niamh's Next Step, in memory of a girl diagnosed withneuroblastoma.[190]
In April 2016, Tomlinson was announced to be joining theSoccer Aid 2016 star line-up, an 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.[191] Tomlinson played against his bandmateNiall Horan, who appeared for the Rest of the World team.[192] In 2017, Tomlinson was featured in a charity single fundraising for victims of theGrenfell Tower fire.[193] 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.[194][195] 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.[112]
Personal life
Tomlinson began dating Eleanor Calder in late 2011.[196] They split in March 2015,[197] reunited in early 2017, and broke up again in 2022, as announced in January 2023.[196] In July 2015, it was reported Tomlinson was expecting a child with a 23-year-old American stylist, Briana Jungwirth.[198] On 4 August 2015, onGood Morning America, the reports were confirmed.[199][200] Tomlinson and Jungwirth welcomed their son Freddie Reign Tomlinson on 21 January 2016.[201][202] Immediately following his birth, there was widespread viral speculation that he had been namedConchobar, a traditional Irish name, after Tomlinson lost a bet with Irish bandmateNiall Horan.[203][204][205]
Tomlinson was in a relationship with American actressDanielle Campbell from November 2015 to December 2016.[206] In December 2016, Tomlinson's mother, Johannah Deakin, died ofleukaemia at the age of 43.[4][207] In March 2019, Tomlinson's sister Félicité died from an accidental overdose at the age of 18.[208][209] Tomlinson currently resides in London.[210] He purchased a house inHollywood Hills in 2016, and sold it for $6.4 million in 2020.[210]
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.[211][212] The matter was reportedly resolved by April 2017 and charges against Tomlinson were dropped.[213][214][215] 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."[216] 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.[217][218]
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.[219][220]: 173–174 [221] Tomlinson has denied the rumours.[222]
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