Harry Never Goes Out of Style: Fans are Still Loyal after “One Direction”
Harry Styles, originally known for his international success in a British boy-band, since broken off into his own musical career and done away with the teenage heartthrob image he once had. || Graphic created by Shannon Mason
Harry Styles, originally known for his success with British boy-band One Direction, has come a long way from his teenage heartthrob days. He has now taken over the music industry and fashion industry as an internationally-acclaimed superstar.
On November 4, Styles posted on Instagram, revealing the title and release date of his next solo album. After a year of no music, Styles’ second studio album, “Fine Line,” will be available on December 13.
Since his announcement, Styles has released two singles, “Lights Up” and “Watermelon Sugar.”
Harry Styles February 2013. || Photo courtesy of Getty Images
Harry Styles MET Gala 2019. || Photo courtesy of Getty Images
“I was absolutely a fan of 1D,” said King’s Student Haley Turner. “I had it all: posters, key chains, charm bracelets, tour tees, perfume...you name it, I had it. I am still really into Harry Styles but in a different way. He seems more like an adult now. He's finding who he is and inviting us on that story of self discovery with him.”
When Styles started his solo music career, alongside acting and modeling careers, his aesthetic went from being clean and simple to eclectic and unique. He went from wearing neutral colored button up shirts and jeans, to custom-made floral Gucci suits every night of his last tour. He also co-hosted the 2019 Met Gala, the biggest fashion event of the year.
“I would say that some of his style choices are a bit questionable,” said Emma Cisneros, a King’s freshman and self-proclaimed Harry Styles lover. “With saying that, though, he has transformed and is able to express himself more through what he wears and his music, it is really awesome. He is not afraid to be himself, and he shows both his feminine and masculine style at different times, and I think that is really beautiful.”
Fans and critics of Styles also believe that the androgynous choices he makes in his fashion, music videos, and lyrics could hint to his own gender-fluidity and sexuality.
Although Styles has not made a direct statement about his sexuality, he supports the LGBTQ+ community. He also told Rolling Stone in a recent feature that he values vulnerability and authenticity over an image of masculinity.
“From what I can tell, Harry is cluing us into the fact that his sexuality is not strictly heterosexual,” Turner said. “He really isn't interested in conforming to traditional constructs of masculinity in an effort to make himself or anyone around him more comfortable. He is simply being who he is, undefined and unlabeled. I think it's brave and admirable.”
No matter what message Styles is trying to portray to his audience, he is still being shown fierce support. Fans camped outside of the Saturday Night Live ticket booth three days before Styles was scheduled to host and perform. When Styles announced that he would perform a surprise show in Los Angeles on December 13, the tickets were sold out in only a few minutes.
Styles is scheduled to start his tour in Summer 2020, which sold out in seconds.