The X Factor

One Direction, often abbreviated as 1D, was an English–Irish pop boy band formed in London in 2010. The group consisted of Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik, who departed in 2015. The band sold over 70 million records worldwide and became one of the best-selling boy bands of all time. They were formed on the television talent show The X Factor and gained popularity through social media. Their debut single, 'What Makes You Beautiful,' reached number one on the UK singles chart and was performed at the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony. One Direction's debut album, 'Up All Night' (2011), was the first by a British act to top the Billboard 200 chart. Their subsequent albums—'Take Me Home' (2012), 'Midnight Memories' (2013), and 'Four' (2014)—all debuted at number one. The band's fifth and final album before their hiatus was 'Made in the A.M.' (2015). The group announced an indefinite hiatus in 2016.