- - Louis Tomlinson Reflects on 'Really F---ing Scary' Feeling of Becoming a Has-Been at Age 24

Ilana KaplanJanuary 14, 2026 at 3:20 AM

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Austin Hargrave

Louis Tomlinson for 'Billboard' in January 2026

Louis Tomlinson recalled the "scary" feeling of becoming a has-been at 24

“There might be one or two people from a band that prosper, but history says there’s not normally more than two," the "Lemonade" artist said in a Billboard cover story published on Monday, Jan. 12,

Tomlinson's third studio album How Did I Get Here? is out Jan. 23

Louis Tomlinson reflected on the "really f---ing scary" feeling of becoming a has-been at 24.

In a Billboard cover story published on Monday, Jan. 12, the "Lemonade" artist opened up about how he felt about his future as One Direction was winding down (and eventually split in 2015).

“That was really f---ing scary,” Tomlinson, 34, told the publication.

He added, “I was never thinking, ‘I’ll be in that group [of One Direction alumni] that succeeds.’”

In fact, Tomlinson believed that "there might be one or two people from a band that prosper, but history says there’s not normally more than two."

He then revealed that he "always knew" Harry Styles was going to be a breakout solo star after the pop group disbanded.

"I always knew Harry was going to go on to do what he’s done — I’m sure he’s superseded his own expectations in the way that he’s taken over the world, but we knew he’s got everything it takes to be a great artist,” said Tomlinson.

Austin Hargrave

Louis Tomlinson for 'Billboard' in January 2026

He added that he "had a good feeling" about Niall Horan.

"He’s Irish, he’s lovely, everyone loves him," said Tomlinson.

Tomlinson reflected on One Direction's breakup in a February 2023 interview with The Times, where he admitted that it left him "mortified."

"I was absolutely gutted," he said at the time. "I was a bit bitter, I suppose because it just felt like another loss to me."

However, Tomlinson noted that he has "a better understanding of things now, and there's not as much anger."

Austin Hargrave

Louis Tomlinson for 'Billboard' in January 2026

"It is what it is," he added.

He also said that while he missed band members Styles, 31, Horan, 32, Zayn Malik and Liam Payne (who since died in October 2024 at the age of 31), he enjoyed "doing my own thing too" and "it was time" for a change.

Tomlinson's third studio album How Did I Get Here? is out Jan. 23

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”