15 Amazing One Direction Throwbacks, from Headlining Madison Square Garden to Goofing Around onSNL

Mar. 15, 2025

One Direction in 2012.Photo:John Shearer/Getty

John Shearer/Getty

One Direction’s domination of culture in the early 2010s was total, whether they were selling out shows or just goofing off backstage.

After five years in the group, Malik announced his departure in March 2015. Styles, Payne, Horran and Tomlinson would continue as a quartet before going on an indefinite hiatus in 2016. Each member would release solo projects in the years that followed and find success in their respective lanes.

In the wake ofLiam Payne’s deathat age 31 on Oct. 16, look back at some of the most fun, goofy and memorable moments from One Direction’s heyday.

01of 15In the BeginningOne Direction competing for ‘X Factor’.Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via GettyIn this quintessential throwback from 2010, the young lads are pictured before heading into rehearsals forX Factor.

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In the Beginning

One Direction competing for ‘X Factor’.Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty

Dominic Lipinski/PA Images via Getty

In this quintessential throwback from 2010, the young lads are pictured before heading into rehearsals forX Factor.

02of 15Utter ShockOne Direction signing autographs.Anna Gowthorpe/PA Images via GettyWhatever or whomever they were staring at must have beentrulyshocking.

02of 15

Utter Shock

One Direction signing autographs.Anna Gowthorpe/PA Images via Getty

Anna Gowthorpe/PA Images via Getty

Whatever or whomever they were staring at must have beentrulyshocking.

03of 15Hitting the SceneOne Direction at the BBC Teen Awards.Dave Hogan/GettyFresh off theirX Factorrun, One Direction attended the BBC Teen Awards at Wembley Arena on Oct. 9, 2011.

03of 15

Hitting the Scene

One Direction at the BBC Teen Awards.Dave Hogan/Getty

Dave Hogan/Getty

Fresh off theirX Factorrun, One Direction attended the BBC Teen Awards at Wembley Arena on Oct. 9, 2011.

04of 15Another Number OneOne Direction in 2011.Dave Hogan/GettyThe boys jumped for joy while celebrating the release of “What Makes You Beautiful.”

04of 15

Another Number One

One Direction in 2011.Dave Hogan/Getty

The boys jumped for joy while celebrating the release of “What Makes You Beautiful.”

05of 15Paying It ForwardOne Direction in 2012.FOX Image Collection via GettyAfter garnering global success, 1D went back to their roots, performing on season 2 ofX Factor U.S.A.in 2012.

05of 15

Paying It Forward

One Direction in 2012.FOX Image Collection via Getty

FOX Image Collection via Getty

After garnering global success, 1D went back to their roots, performing on season 2 ofX Factor U.S.A.in 2012.

06of 15That One ThingOne Direction at the Kids' Choice Awards.John Shearer/GettyWe love a coordinating boy band moment. The boys touched down at the 2012 Kids' Choice Awards wearing different variations of navy and white ensembles.

06of 15

That One Thing

One Direction at the Kids' Choice Awards.John Shearer/Getty

We love a coordinating boy band moment. The boys touched down at the 2012 Kids' Choice Awards wearing different variations of navy and white ensembles.

07of 15Selling Out the Big VenuesOne Direction performing at Madison Square Garden.Craig Warga/NY Daily News via GettyAfter whatBillboardcalled a “banner year,” One Direction reached even higher heights when the band sold out Madison Square Garden in 2012.

07of 15

Selling Out the Big Venues

One Direction performing at Madison Square Garden.Craig Warga/NY Daily News via Getty

Craig Warga/NY Daily News via Getty

After whatBillboardcalled a “banner year,” One Direction reached even higher heights when the band sold out Madison Square Garden in 2012.

08of 15Morning TeaOne Direction in 2012.George Pimentel/WireImageThe group got a taste of home while visitingET Canadain 2012.

08of 15

Morning Tea

One Direction in 2012.George Pimentel/WireImage

George Pimentel/WireImage

The group got a taste of home while visitingET Canadain 2012.

09of 15Winners' RejoiceOne Direction at the Teen Choice Awards.Kevin Winter/GettyNo other band had the tweens losing their minds at the level One Direction was in the early 2010s, so it was only right that they were awarded the Choice Group award at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards.

09of 15

Winners' Rejoice

One Direction at the Teen Choice Awards.Kevin Winter/Getty

Kevin Winter/Getty

No other band had the tweens losing their minds at the level One Direction was in the early 2010s, so it was only right that they were awarded the Choice Group award at the 2013 Teen Choice Awards.

10of 15

Leaning Into the Moment

One Direction on ‘SNL’ in 2012.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

11of 15

Working the Crowd

12of 15Vocal Face OffOne Direction on ‘SNL’.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyThe ultimate supergroup?! One Direction joined some of the men from theAnchormancast to form what Paul Rudd dubbed “Nine Direction” in this hilariousSNLskit from 2013.

12of 15

Vocal Face Off

One Direction on ‘SNL’.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

The ultimate supergroup?! One Direction joined some of the men from theAnchormancast to form what Paul Rudd dubbed “Nine Direction” in this hilariousSNLskit from 2013.

13of 15

And They Danced All Night

One Direction at the VMAs in 2013.Rick Diamond/Getty

Rick Diamond/Getty

14of 15Just A Group of Boys ChattingOne Direction with Jimmy Fallon.Douglas Gorenstein/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyIn an impromptu moment, One Direction did a"floor interview"with Jimmy Fallon while visiting his show in 2014.

14of 15

Just A Group of Boys Chatting

One Direction with Jimmy Fallon.Douglas Gorenstein/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Douglas Gorenstein/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

In an impromptu moment, One Direction did a"floor interview"with Jimmy Fallon while visiting his show in 2014.

15of 15Spreading Christmas CheerOne Direction with Jimmy Fallon.Douglas Gorenstein/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via GettyLater in the show, the band joined Jimmy Fallon and The Roots for an acousticversion of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"played with classroom instruments.

15of 15

Spreading Christmas Cheer

Later in the show, the band joined Jimmy Fallon and The Roots for an acousticversion of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town"played with classroom instruments.

source: people.com