If rumours are to be believed, Louis Tomlinson, like the rest of One Direction, has managed to pick up a solo record deal. From Simon Cowell no less.
A (obviously very reliable) source told The Sun that Louis has been 'working on some really amazing music. He’s played some to the powers that be at Syco, who are really excited. They think he could be a real success as a solo artist, given his proven ability to write hit records and massive fanbase as part of 1D.'
For the rest of the ex-Directioners, there's obviously already been plenty of movement in their own attempts to strike out as single entities. Niall's released a song, Zayn an album, and a book, Harry's off acting in films...
But, as history, and excellent, Oscar-worthy documentary film series like ITV2's *The Big Reunion *remind us - not all former boyband members can maintain their original success once they go solo. Some go on to become more famous than they ever were in the group but others... well, others fade off into the sunset and settle down in a nice house in Chester with a wife and a couple of kids. And also noble profession.
In fact, for the One Direction boys, we've already spied a few parallels with the careers of their 90s ex-boyband predecessors.
So, which boyband members-turned-solo-artists will each 1D member emulate in their future endeavours?
Niall is Ronan Keating and/or Brian McFadden
Niall's in good stead. He's almost certainly the latest Made Man in the Louis Walsh Mafiosa for Former Irish Popband Members (LWMFIPM for short). With Louis at the helm, people like Ronan Keating, Brian McFadden, Nadine from Girls Aloud, Jedward and Samantha Mumba continue to be household names even in today's fickle industry. Louis has already tipped Niall's solo career for success *and *has slated him for a future member of the X Factor team so yeah, Niall, you're going to be just fine.
Harry is Justin Timberlake 2.0
Obviously. He's already acting, his solo career will no doubt be propelled along at a comfortable pace with the aid of all the most interesting producers and artists in the business, the boy can dress, he's appearing on ridiculously cool fashion magazine covers... Harry? Harry is sorted.
Liam has got Gary Barlow written all over him
The 'sensible' one. Liam is a 40-year-old man before he's reached his 24th birthday. Sensible tweed jackets, nice preppy haircut, a face to please mothers and grandmothers alike. His edgiest moment ever was that time he was allowed to dress himself and somehow ended up wearing a belt over his coat.
And now, Liam's cemented himself safely in pop history by having a baby with another member of pop royalty - Cheryl Cole/Fernandez/Versini. See? Sensible.
That's the kind of man they get to write the Royals' official jubilee songs. Not the Robbie Williams's of the world.
Zayn is Sean from 5ive
Both Zayn and Sean were certainly the best looking of their respective gangs by a long way but they were also the quiestest, most mysterious of the bunch. Like, did they actually want to be in a boyband at all? Probably not, considering both of them were the first to leave. Actually, fun fact; did you know the video for 5ive's Let's Dance features not Sean Conlon himself but instead a shoddily constructed cardboard cutout of the band's youngest member. I kid you not.
Both Sean and Zayn suffered from mental health problems and were the first to try solo careers. Sean refused to be in 5ive's unsuccessful 2006 comeback because of this (see Zayn swerving One Direction's almost-certain 2020 return). Sadly though, his solo career failed. He appeared on The Voice but didn't get through and eventually came back into the 5ive fold in 2013's Big Reunion. Which reminds us HOW GOOD IS THE BIG REUNION GOING TO BE WITH ONE DIRECTION. ZAYN WE'LL SEE YOU THERE.
Which brings us to Louis Tomlinson
I mean he's Lee Ryan from Blue isn't he? Impulsive and good at getting himself into scrapes, we give Louis three weeks before he too manages to ruin his American career with an ill-timed comment about saving the whales in the wake of 9/11.
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This article originally appeared on The Debrief.