+ JOURNEY TO THE TOP +
The Beginning
At the end of bootcamp when the names of Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zain Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne were not read out, the teenage boys knew their X Factor ambitions were over.
..but when they were recalled to the stage to find out they had been given another chance, they realised that their dreams had only just begun!
In a line-up that boasts good looks, strong vocals, and dancing ability, could these lads be the pin-ups of the next generation?
We think they can!
Week 1 – Number 1s
Without gimmicks or backing dancers the One Direction boys let their voices do the talking, gelling together for Viva La Vida with Liam Payne starting and finishing in strong fashion. Cheryl claimed the boys had “all the right ingredients,” whilst Dannii praised them for a “perfect pop band performance.
Judge quote: “I love what you did with the song – you’re potentially the next big boy band,” Louis Walsh
Week 2 – Heroes
Clearly comfortable with their new found heartthrob status, the lads were faced by a gaggle of screaming girls as they sang My Life Would Suck Without You.
Their strong vocals and obvious connection had the judges once again hailing them as the boy band of the future and Cheryl beside herself.
Judge quote: “I can’t even cope with how cute you are, seriously! I just want to go up and hug them… in a nice way.” Cheryl Cole
Week 3 – Guilty Pleasures
As the lights went down it was just the boys and their mic stands singing Pink’s ballad Nobody Knows. There were no dancers, no routines, not even any of the enthusiastic shoulder bops that Harry is so keen on.
Judge quote: "You're my guilty pleasure!" Cheryl Cole
Week 4 - Halloween
Sending hearts across the nation racing, the boys took on a power ballad classic, Total Eclipse of The Heart.Both the judges and the audience loved the rendition.
Judge quote: “You are a boy band doing exactly what a boy band should do!” Dannii Minogue
Week 5 - American Anthems
Last but by no means least was a Brian Friedman mega-production, that saw the One Direction boys bop and shimmy their way across a packed stage. Blaring out Kids In America, they zig-zagged past the red-hot cheerleaders, Simon’s lads looked like they were having the time of their lives.
Judge quote: “That was without question, your best performance by a mile.” Simon Cowell
Week 6 - Elton John
Singing Something About The Way You Look Tonight, the focus this week was on the lads’ vocals (oh, and maybe just a little bit on their lovely shiny hair and cute smiles). Luckily for them, the boys proved that they don’t just look the part… they sound it too!
Judge quote: “This is the first time in all the years of The X Factor when I genuinely believe a group is gonna win this competition.” Simon Cowell
Week 8 - Rock Week
The fab five delivered two very different performances for Rock week. First was the dancer-laden, upbeat production of Summer of ’69, followed by the Joe Cocker ballad You Are So Beautiful. The boys nailed both numbers and proved they’ve got the vocals to back up their looks.
Judge quote: "You proved tonight you’re not just another boy band, you’re a brilliant, brilliant vocal group" Louis Walsh
Week 9 - Club Classics
The last club classic of the night was One Direction’s version of the Rihanna’s Only Girl In The World. The lyrics were cleverly altered and, when the song was over, the audience were left wondering whether One Direction might just become the only boy band in the world! Next, the boys turned to Snow Patrol for their ‘Get Me To The Final’ song. Singing Chasing Cars they finished the show in style, with Liam taking lead vocal and Harry taking care of the chorus.
Judge quote: "I am as proud of you as people as I am as artists" Simon Cowell
Week 10-Finals
Its theyre last week on XFactor and last shot to prove themselves as the new big thing.They performed "Your Song" and for their last performance was "Torn" which wowed the judges and fans in amusement.
One Direction finished in third place behind runner up, Rebecca Ferguson and winner, Matt Cardle but so far have been more successful
