Top 10 One Direction Moments

Liam Payne once shared that a fan petitioned the group to release a fragrance, and they were all for it. To promote it, they gave us an April Fools-style behind-the-scenes look at their photo shoot with photographer Girolle. We can’t say we’ve attended too many photoshoots, but we doubt they typically come close to this. The guys seem genuinely baffled by all the chaos but are fully on board, making the whole thing even more fun to watch. While Girolle’s antics totally steal the spotlight, he’d be nothing without his brilliant muses. That being said, we’re not too sure they’d have jumped at the chance to work with him again.

Remember when One Direction took over Nickelodeon? One unforgettable moment had Louis and Zayn teaming up with the Nick crew to prank their bandmates. Going into labor at work is far from ideal; worse still is when your only birthing buddies are a group of young men who might know a thing or two about making hits, but childbirth? Not so much. They try to stay calm and help, but you can see the panic in their eyes! The relief on their faces when they realize it was all just a prank is everything. But Harry’s right; just imagine the headlines if this had happened for real!

“1D Day” was basically a holiday for One Direction fans. The band hosted a seven-hour livestream that fans could watch worldwide to promote their third album, “Midnight Memories,” and to thank all those who had supported them from day one. Leading up to the big day, fans were set all sorts of challenges like making fan art and DIY 1D music videos. During the event, the guys showed off fans’ creations, brought on surprise guests, performed live, and even chatted directly to their devoted fanbase. For most of us, it was the closest we’d get to hanging out with the band, and we were here for all 420 minutes of it.

While appearing as musical guests on “SNL” in 2014, the guys also popped up in the classic “Girlfriends Talk Show” skit with host Amy Adams. In this episode, Adams plays Megan, the captain of the dance squad that Aidy Bryant’s character, Morgan, claims to be an active part of. The main issue is that Morgan struggles to keep her cool around the guys, who just happen to be there that day. While 1D isn’t known for their dance moves, they more than make up for it with their commitment. They might not have many lines, but they bring the charm in spades. Come on, who wouldn’t want to party with those guys?

James Corden and One Direction always had a special bond. You don’t just jump into a game of tattoo roulette with anyone! Their friendship really stepped up a notch when they trained for a dodgeball tournament together. While we might not know every national anthem out there, we can pretty much guarantee what they sang isn’t the UK’s. Corden’s coaching is so off-the-wall that even the guys can’t keep it together. Still, they play a pretty fierce game, even if they only win one out of three rounds. We can’t blame it all on the coaching style, but let’s just say the other team really lived up to their name!

Considering their worldwide success today, it’s almost jarring to remember that One Direction actually came in third during their season of “The X Factor.” Still, they had already built a fanbase and were soon signed to Syco Records. Their debut single, “What Makes You Beautiful,” along with its music video, proved that the boys' charisma on the show was no fluke. They won VMAs for Best Pop Video and Most Share-Worthy Video, and as of writing, it has been viewed on YouTube over a billion times—no exaggeration! It perfectly captured the group’s youthful energy, which the fans had come to love. Little did we know, the best was still yet to come!

We’ve seen One Direction’s cheeky side, but they also know how to give us those sincere moments that stir something deep inside us. During the 2014 “AMAs,” the guys stripped everything back to deliver a gorgeous performance of “Night Changes.” It’s one of their most mature performances and utterly swoon-worthy. This was also the year Zayn’s hair became the sixth group member. Still, that’s not the main reason this particular number holds a special place in our hearts. The guys showed off their versatility and talent, connecting deeply with the audience through their lyrics and authentic emotions. Sadly, the song’s meaning hits differently now since we lost Liam. Gone but never forgotten.

Imagine heading to the bathroom just before you’re called up to accept an award! While that makes for a memorable moment, is there anything quite like winning your first award? In 2012, One Direction won their first Brit Award for “What Makes You Beautiful,” beating out artists like Adele, Jessie J, and Ed Sheeran. Their excitement is so sweet, and the moment is made even better by a voiceover recounting their quick rise to stardom. Their acceptance speech is heartfelt and humble, starting with a thank-you to their fans and moving on to the tireless crew behind the scenes. You can feel their genuine gratitude; at least Harry wasn’t in the bathroom this time!

With 1D down to four members, they could squeeze into James Corden’s car for a round of Carpool Karaoke, and they wasted no time getting straight into the music. Now, we’ve always known that Corden would love to be in the band, and this is basically him just living out that dream. It really feels like one of those really fun road trips you have with your friends that turns into a core memory. Also, admit it: after watching this segment, you couldn’t listen to “No Control” without busting out James’ original choreography. You might even feel inspired to grab your denim jacket to really give it justice. Carpool Karaoke the concert, anyone?

Did you know the 1D boys originally auditioned for “The X Factor” as solo artists? When they didn’t make it past boot camp, the judges decided to form what became One Direction. They stole hearts each week, ultimately reaching the finals. So, it felt right for them to wrap up this chapter where it all began. After some heartfelt messages from famous fans, the group (minus Zayn, of course) performed together for what we all hoped wouldn’t actually be their last time. Singing “History” against a backdrop of their highlights, they reminded us why we fell in love with them. It’s heartbreaking knowing we’ll never see them like this again, but at least we can hold onto the memories.

What’s your favorite One Direction moment? Let us know in the comments!