By Louise Gallardo
The X Factor UK surprised Directioners by releasing a never-before-seen video of how One Direction began 12 years ago, with Nicole Scherzinger playing a significant role in the band’s formation.
The X Factor tweeted on Saturday, “When you’ve waited TWELVE YEARS to find out exactly how @onedirection was formed. FINALLY, here’s how.”
Scherzinger, Louis Walsh, and Simon Cowell can be seen in the video picking through the eliminated contestants, with Niall Horan being the first pick. “Let’s do an imaginary boyband instead of just saying no,” says Scherzinger.
After seeing Harry Styles’ picture, Scherzinger became excited. “Yes! They’re the cutest boy band ever!” before adding Louis Tomlinson’s picture with them. “The little girls are gonna love them,” she says—and she was right.
Cowell suggested Liam Payne in a different group, but Scherzinger insisted on keeping him in the 1D group. “He can maybe be the leader.”
“Zayn [Malik]. Now that is a good idea,” says Cowell after adding Malik’s picture to the group. It was Scherzinger who ultimately gave birth to One Direction. “They’re just too talented to get rid of. They have just the right look and the right charisma on stage. I think they’ll be great in a boy band together. They’re like little stars. You can’t get rid of little stars, so you put them all together.”
After announcing that the group would push through with the judges’ house, the rest became history.
One Direction recently celebrated its 12th anniversary last July 23, 2022.
Watch the full video here.