Harry Styles turns 30: A break from his celebrated solo career

A British superstar celebrates his 30th birthday on February 1st: Harry Styles has exciting years behind him in which he conquered the pop Olympus with his solo career. The all-rounder, who started his career in a boy band, recently withdrew from the public eye. The musician always has enough to process during his time off – and then there’s apparently also some private happiness that he can fully enjoy…

From boy band to solo star

Harry Edward Styles was born in Redditch, Worcestershire, in 1994. After his parents separated, he lived in Holmes Chapel with his mother Anne Twist (56) and older sister Gemma Styles (33). In 2010, taking part in a casting show laid the foundation for his music career. In “The X Factor” he became a member of the boy band One Direction. Together with Liam Payne (30), Niall Horan (30), Louis Tomlinson (32) and Zayn Malik (31) he took third place in the British show. The band signed a record deal with Sony Music and released the album “Up All Night” in 2011. With songs like “What Makes You Beautiful”, “Gotta Be You” and “One Thing” and the record, One Direction initially had success, especially in their home country Great Britain and the USA, and the members were adored as teenage heartthrobs. The second album “Take Me Home” also achieved top positions in the charts in German-speaking countries.

Another international hit followed in 2013 with “One Way or Another”. After the albums “Midnight Memories” (2013) and “Four” (2014), Zayn Malik left the band in 2015. After the fifth album, the four existing band members wanted to take a year-long break, but they never returned in 2017. While fans still long for a reunion to this day, they could at least look forward to solo projects from their favorites. Harry Styles released his first solo single “Sign of the Times” in 2017 and immediately conquered the British charts, with the debut album “Harry Styles” following shortly afterwards.

Styles made further career leaps in 2019 and 2020 with the singles “Watermelon Sugar”, “Adore You” and the accompanying album “Fine Line”. He released his third album “Harry’s House” in 2022 and delivered further hits with “As It Was” and “Late Night Talking”. In 2021, he received a Grammy for “Best Pop Solo Performance” for “Watermelon Sugar.” Three more awards from the most important music prize followed in 2023, including an award for Best Album and Best Pop Album for “Harry’s House”. Aside from music, Styles was also able to increase his popularity as an actor. In Christopher Nolan’s (53) war film “Dunkirk” (2017), for which, to the dismay of many fans, he separated from his iconic long hair and thus from one of his trademarks apart from his tattoos, in the Prime Video drama “My Husband’s Lover” (2022) or the thriller “Don’t Worry Darling” (2022) he played leading roles.

Fashion and the stage

Particularly at the start of his solo career, the pop icon’s overall package quickly included his unusual outfits and looks, which he presented in music videos, on stage and on the red carpet. Flashy patterns, colorful accessories, high heels and painted fingernails paired with designer suits, knitted vests, sweater vests or silk blouses – Styles created his own, self-confident style over the years and influenced the fashion world. He is one of the best-known representatives of the gender fluid movement, which eliminates fashion boundaries between classically male and female. In December 2020, Styles became the first man to appear alone on a “Vogue” cover – in a Gucci dress.

His “Love On Tour” was also a decisive factor in his development as a pop culture phenomenon and his long-term public presence, which was particularly reflected in social media. The shows became a holistic experience for his fans, celebrating acceptance and queerness. Equipped with rainbow flags, feather boas, cowboy hats, sequined pants or posters with unusual sayings, his supporters entered the stadiums. Styles’ emotional and funny interactions with concertgoers, his energetic performances, and his fans’ dance routines during the concerts regularly went viral.

Spread over 22 months, the singer gave 169 shows from 2021 to 2023, the last of which was in Italy in July 2023. During his final performance he said: “The atmosphere you created, the family you created, this safe space you created, I want to thank you for all of that. […] I love you all so much and I will miss you. Not only have you changed my life time and time again, you have also made me the happiest.”

The hair and the love

The permanent presence was followed by an almost complete absence from the media, which continues to this day. His last Instagram post was from November 2023. Styles seems to be enjoying his break away from the public eye after the adventurous years. How could it be otherwise, his hair was responsible for a brief flourishing of his media presence. He appeared with a razor-short buzzcut for his perfume brand in November 2023. Of course, the new hairstyle was not well received by all fans.

On the other hand, his love life recently made headlines. Because when Styles isn’t discussed for his music, his acting, or his fashion, it’s the women in his life that become the topic. From Taylor Swift (34), Kendall Jenner (28), Camille Rowe (34) to Olivia Wilde (39) and Emily Ratajkowski (32), prominent women have also been at his side in the past, sometimes more or less confirmed. In November 2023, he appeared in the audience of a U2 concert with Canadian actress Taylor Russell (29). The two are said to have been in a relationship since June 2023 and the singer is said to be dating.

At the beginning of January 2024, the two were spotted vacationing in Anguilla with ex-talk show host James Corden (45). had probably the best news for fans at the beginning of the year: Harry Styles’ hair has grown back. And perhaps the singer can soon share another positive message and announce his return to the stage (with new music?): the Brit is in talks to follow U2 and perform a series of concerts at the new Las Vegas venue The Sphere .