Did Niall Horan collaborate with Harry Styles on his third album?
There were some pretty convincing 'clues' 👀
Last updated 9th Jun 2023
From the moment Niall Horan announced his latest album 'The Show', fans were convinced that he had teamed up with his former One Direction bandmate Harry Styles on the new record, prior to its release on 9th June 2023.
Although the album's release gifted us with a wonderful collection of 10 new tracks for us to play on repeat, it also confirmed that - despite some pretty convincing clues - a Harry Styles collab was not to be. As we keep our fingers crossed that a collaboration may happen one day, let's look through the clues that had us all convinced that Harry would appear on Niall's album...
It all started when TikToker Emily shared a video taking fans through her theories, and we have to say, the evidence is looked pretty interesting.
Niall's album is called 'The Show'
When Niall's third album was revealed to be called 'The Show', many fans speculated that the album would be circus-themed, which lead them to think that Harry had some involvement. Back in May 2022, photos emerged of Harry on the set of a circus-themed music video, and this video has not yet been released.
The cloud candle
Fans also suggested that if you look very carefully at the circus photos, there is a blue 'cloud' platform, thought to be the same design as a candle Niall is holding in a pic shared to promote his single 'Heaven', which features on 'The Show'. Take a look at the fourth pic below 👇
You Are Home pic with Niall's shirt
As Harry's fans will remember, in 2022, before the release of his album 'Harry's House', a new website called You Are Home appeared with just the image of a door. When fans hovered over it, various things were revealed behind it, including a black and white pattern.
Nine months later, fans compared the pattern to that of Niall's shirt which he wore on The Late Late Show.
And that's not all...
Niall wrote some of his album in Joshua Tree
Joshua Tree is a National Park in the USA, and Niall spent some time there recording his new album. The singer told us about writing his new song: "I just started singing that chorus in the studio one night, like one o’clock in the morning in an Airbnb in Joshua Tree, California, on a bit of a writing trip I was on."
Harry also featured a photo of a Joshua tree behind the door on the You Are Home website in 2022.
Niall's reaction to Harry and Lewis Capaldi's kiss at The BRITs
We all know that Niall and Lewis Capaldi are great mates, despite not wanting to release two songs they have recorded together. However, when Lewis and Harry kissed at The BRIT Awards 2023, we asked Niall about how he felt.
Niall told us jokingly: "It’s been a tough few days, but I’m sure there’s a song in it, so I’m going to stay quiet and then come out with a big ballad!" 👀
As Harry picked up all four BRIT Awards he was nominated for, in one of the acceptance speeches he thanked the One Direction boys. Niall told us: "It was really cool, really cool to get a mention. We’ve been on that stage together winning an award before and now it’s Harold’s turn on his own, so appreciate the thanks."
So, despite Harry not featuring on Niall's third album 'The Show', could all of these clues still mean we could see a collab between the former One Direction boys one day? We'll leave it up to you...
You can hear songs by Harry Styles and Niall Horan (although not together 😉) on Forth 1.
Now take a look through all of the signs of a One Direction reunion:
Harry Styles talks about a Zoom reunion
In April 2020, as the nation were in lockdown due to the Coronavirus, Harry spoke to SiriusXM Hits 1, jokingly admitting he didn't expect the 1D reunion to be over a Zoom call.
He said: "I don't know if a Zoom call is the reunion that we had in mind."
Liam Payne sent fans into meltdown
Just days later, Liam Payne sent Directioners into complete meltdown when he revealed a number of emails had been forwarded, admitting it was great for the boys to 'connect' again.
Liam said: "We've got a 10-year anniversary coming up so we've all been speaking together a lot over the last few weeks, which has been really nice."
#OneDirectionReunion trends on Twitter
Not long after Liam's interview, eagle-eyed fans noticed Harry, Louis, Liam and Niall had all followed former member Zayn Malik on Twitter, resulting in #OneDirectionReunion to start trending.
However, after further inspection, fans were quick to point out that they'd followed Zayn for a while, making it a bit of a false alarm!
Was new One Direction music on the cards?
Also in April, American showbiz site Page Six reported that One Direction could release new music for their 10th anniversary in July 2020, as well as a TV special!
Niall sends fans wild on Instagram Live
During an Instagram Live, Niall teased Directioners by touching his hair when a fan asked him to if the reunion rumours were true. Hmm.
Liam Payne talked with James Corden about a reunion
Liam chatted with The Late Late Show host James Corden, where he confessed he'd been in recent contact with both Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan!
He told James he'd enjoyed a 'beautiful' FaceTime with Niall. Aww!
Louis Tomlinson 'tells off' Liam Payne for revealing too much
After Liam got a little excited and started to dish out too much information, the singer revealed during an Instagram Live with Alesso that Louis had 'told him off' for revealing the plans.
Niall Horan shuts down reunion rumours
With July getting closer, Niall Horan broke the hearts of 1D fans across the world in May when he seemingly shut down all talk of a 2020 reunion.
Speaking to his friend Jamie Redknapp on Redknapp's Home Fixture, Niall said, "There was a bit of talk about it because in July it's ten years since the band got together, so everyone was waiting to see if anything was going to happen.
'We've been chatting about it, little bits and pieces that we can do, but nothing in terms of getting the band back together, so for now, no."
10th anniversary plans
Despite many holding out for an actual reunion, 1D launched a special website called '10 Years of One Direction', which went active on Thursday 23rd July, the official date of their anniversary.
The website went through the band's amazing career timelines, from meeting on The X Factor, to going their separate ways as solo artists. As well as this, a load of old content was visible for fans, including archived TV performances, behind-the-scenes videos, music videos and artwork!
A special 10-year celebration video was made for YouTube, which brought a tear to the eye as it highlights 1D's global success over the last decade.
Fans thought Harry could feature on Niall's album
Fans thought they'd spotted some similarities between Niall's album and a music video that Harry was spotted filming.
Harry Styles posted a pic of him wearing a One Direction T-shirt
Harry Styles posted a pic of him wearing a One Direction T-shirt. The photo appeared as an Instagram Story, but was quickly deleted by the singer. Of course it wasn't long before fans shared the photo across social media and reunion rumours started.
Harry later told fans at his Auckland gig: "I guess some of us have secrets! Maybe, maybe like some people, you chose to keep it to yourself and maybe one day, you'll like accidentally post it to your Instagram followers."
Liam Payne 'desperate' for a reunion
According to a source speaking to OK!, Liam Payne really wants a One Direction reunion and is trying to reach out to the other band members.
Now read:
Niall Horan responds to Harry Styles' BRITs acceptance speech
Niall Horan: 107 incredible facts about the 'Slow Hands' singer
Harry Styles: Everything you need to know about the 'As It Was' singer