Harry Styles facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Harry Styles
Styles in 2023
Born	Harry Edward Styles (1994-02-01) 1 February 1994 (age 31) Redditch, Worcestershire, England
Occupation	Singer songwriter actor
Years active	2010–present
Works	Solo discography songs written
Title	Co-founder, CEO, and owner of Erskine Records Co-founder and owner of Pleasing
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Origin	Holmes Chapel, England
Genres	Pop rock soft rock synth-pop Britpop
Instruments	Vocals guitar
Labels	Syco Columbia Erskine
Signature

Harry Edward Styles (born 1 February 1994) is an English singer, songwriter, and actor. He is famous for his music, exciting performances, and kind actions. Harry Styles is very popular and has many fans around the world. He is seen as one of the most successful solo artists to come from a boy band.

Harry's music journey started in 2010 with One Direction. This boy band was formed on the British TV show The X Factor. Each member had been eliminated from the solo part of the show. One Direction became one of the best-selling boy bands ever. They took a break in 2016.

Harry released his first solo album, Harry Styles, in 2017. It quickly became number one in the UK and US. It was one of the top-selling albums worldwide that year. His song "Sign of the Times" was a number-one hit in the UK.

His second album, Fine Line (2019), also topped the US charts. The magazine Rolling Stone included it in their list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. The song "Watermelon Sugar" from this album reached number one in the US.

Harry's third album, Harry's House (2022), broke many records. It won a Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2023. This album was also added to Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. Its main song, "As It Was", was the number-one song globally in 2022.

Harry has won many awards, including six Brit Awards and three Grammy Awards. He has also acted in films like Dunkirk (2017), Don't Worry Darling (2022), and My Policeman (2022). Besides music and acting, Harry is known for his unique and bold fashion sense. He was the first man to appear alone on the cover of Vogue wearing a Gucci dress.

Early Life and School

Harry Edward Styles was born on February 1, 1994. He was born in Redditch, Worcestershire, England. His mother is Anne Twist and his father is Desmond Styles. When he was a child, he moved with his family to Holmes Chapel in Cheshire. His parents divorced when he was seven. His mother later remarried.

Harry has said he had a "great childhood." His parents always supported him. As a child, he sang songs on a karaoke machine. The first song he recorded was Elvis Presley's "The Girl of My Best Friend." Harry went to Holmes Chapel Comprehensive School. There, he was the lead singer for a band called White Eskimo. They won a local Battle of the Bands competition. When he was 16, he worked part-time at a bakery in Holmes Chapel.

Music Career Highlights

Joining One Direction (2010–2015)

Styles (left) with One Direction on The X Factor Live Tour in 2011

In 2010, Harry auditioned for The X Factor as a solo singer. He sang "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder. He didn't make it as a solo artist. However, the judges decided to put him with four other singers. These were Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik. They formed a new band in July 2010. Harry suggested the name One Direction.

The group quickly became very popular in the UK. They finished third in The X Factor competition. In 2011, One Direction signed a record deal. Their first song, "What Makes You Beautiful", was a number-one hit in the UK. Their first album, Up All Night, made them the first British group to have their first album reach number one in the US.

Styles during the Where We Are Tour in 2014

Their next four albums also debuted at number one in the UK. Midnight Memories was the world's best-selling album of 2013. Their "Where We Are Tour" was the highest-earning tour of 2014. One Direction became the only group in history to have their first four albums debut at number one in the US. They had many hit songs like "Little Things" and "Story of My Life". Harry also helped write a song for Ariana Grande.

In 2016, the band decided to take a break. This was Harry's idea, as he didn't want to "tire out" their fans. One Direction has sold 70 million records worldwide. They have won many awards, including seven Brit Awards. Harry has said that being in the band was not always easy. He felt a lot of pressure and had to follow many rules in his contracts. He felt very "free" when he signed his solo contract without these rules.

Solo Debut and Acting (2016–2018)

As a solo artist, Harry signed with Columbia Records in 2016. He also started his own record label, Erskine Records. He spent 2016 recording his first solo album. In March 2017, he announced his first solo song, "Sign of the Times". It reached number one in the UK and number four in the US. This song had a glam rock and soft rock sound. Rolling Stone called it the best song of 2017. The music video for the song won a Brit Award.

Styles performing in Denver, Colorado in 2018

His first solo album, Harry Styles, came out in May 2017. It debuted at number one in many countries, including Australia, the UK, and the US. The album was inspired by 1970s soft rock music. Critics gave it good reviews. Harry then went on his first solo concert tour, Harry Styles: Live on Tour. He performed in many parts of the world from 2017 to 2018.

Harry also made his acting debut in Christopher Nolan's war film Dunkirk in July 2017. He played a British soldier named Alex. He was chosen for the role over "thousands of young men." Critics praised his performance. In 2018, Harry started modeling for the Italian fashion brand Gucci.

Fine Line and Harry's House (2019–Present)

Harry's second album, Fine Line, was released in December 2019. Its first song, "Lights Up", reached number three in the UK. The second song, "Adore You", peaked at number seven in the UK and number six in the US.

Styles performing in Little Rock, Arkansas in 2021

Fine Line reached number two in the UK and number one in the US. It broke records for sales by an English male artist in the US. Rolling Stone ranked it among the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time". The song "Watermelon Sugar" became Harry's first number-one hit in the US. His tour for Fine Line, called Love On Tour, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It finally started in 2021.

Harry won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance for "Watermelon Sugar" in 2021. He also won his second Brit Award for "British Single of the Year." In November 2021, Harry made a small appearance as Eros / Starfox in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Eternals. That same month, he launched his gender-neutral skin and nail care brand, Pleasing.

Styles performing at Wembley Stadium in 2022

In 2022, Harry released his third album, Harry's House. Its first song, "As It Was", was number one in the UK and US. In the US, it stayed at number one for 15 weeks, one of the longest times ever. The album also debuted at number one in both countries. Harry performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in April 2022. "As It Was" became the most popular song globally in 2022.

Harry's House won Album of the Year at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards and "British Album of the Year" at the 43rd Brit Awards. Rolling Stone also included Harry's House in its "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list.

Harry also starred in two films in 2022: Don't Worry Darling and My Policeman. His performances in these films received mixed reviews. In August and September 2022, Harry performed 15 sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden. A permanent banner was put up in the venue to celebrate this achievement. His "Love On Tour" ended in July 2023. It was one of the highest-earning tours of all time, making over $617 million.

Musical Style and Inspirations

Artists like David Bowie and the Beatles have influenced Styles.

Harry Styles' music is often described as soft rock, pop, and rock. It also has parts of folk and Britpop music. His first album was called a mix of "classic rock and ballads" with a "Seventies soft-rock vibe." It was inspired by artists he listened to growing up, such as Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, and Fleetwood Mac. He also liked the songwriting of Harry Nilsson.

Harry believes it's important for music to change and grow. He looks up to artists like David Bowie and The Beatles for their fearless changes. He has also mentioned Freddie Mercury, Elvis Presley, and Paul McCartney as influences. He calls Shania Twain his main inspiration for both music and fashion. His favorite album is Astral Weeks by Van Morrison. He also loves At Last! by Etta James.

Live Performances

As a solo artist, Harry tours with a rock band. He plays acoustic guitar and sings. His band members include lead guitarist Mitch Rowland and drummer Sarah Jones. Critics have described Harry as a very energetic performer. His stage presence has been compared to Freddie Mercury and Mick Jagger. He is known for his charisma and playful actions on stage. Harry tries to perform like an athlete to give his fans the best show possible.

Cultural Impact

Styles on Love On Tour in 2022

Harry Styles is seen as a pop, fashion, and global icon. He is one of the most successful solo artists to come from a boy band. The Guardian newspaper said he handled the change from boy band to solo artist better than many others. His third album, Harry's House, had the biggest first-week vinyl sales ever for a musician.

Harry is one of the most-followed Twitter users. He also has one of the most-followed Instagram accounts in the UK. In 2022, his song "As It Was" was the most-streamed song globally on Spotify. Rolling Stone UK called him the "new King of Pop" in 2022. His fans are known as "Harries."

Legacy and Influence

Harry has inspired his fans to dress up for his concerts. His shows are often called "his fans' Met Gala." Fans wear sequins, pink cowboy hats, and feather boas. These outfits have been shown in magazines like Vogue and The New York Times. In 2023, Texas State University started offering a course about Harry Styles.

Many musicians, like SZA, Miley Cyrus, and Elton John, have said they are inspired by Harry. They also want to work with him. Singer-songwriter Stevie Nicks said Harry's album Fine Line inspired her to write new music.

Novels like the After series and The Idea of You were inspired by Harry. The Idea of You was even made into a movie starring Anne Hathaway. There are also children's books about him, like Harry Styles: A Little Golden Book Biography.

In 2024, Harry's childhood village, Holmes Chapel, started guided walking tours. These tours visit places where Harry used to work and other spots from his past. Over 5,000 fans visited the village in 2023. Madame Tussauds wax museums in several countries have wax figures of Harry Styles.

Fashion Style

Harry Styles' fashion has changed over the years. In One Direction, he wore skinny jeans and floral prints. Later, his style became a mix of '70s rock and glamorous looks. As a solo artist, he chose bright pink suits, sequined tops, and printed pants. His style is often called "flamboyant" and "fashion-forward."

Gucci dress worn by Styles on the cover of Vogue on display at the V&A Museum

Harry started wearing sweater vests and pearl necklaces in 2019. He was the first man to appear alone on the cover of Vogue in 2020. He wore a blue Gucci dress on the cover. Some people criticized him for this. Harry responded by saying that clothes shouldn't be limited by gender. He believes people should wear what they like. The Gucci dress he wore is now in the Victoria and Albert Museum. Other outfits of his are in museums like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

JW Anderson cardigan worn by Styles on display at The Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Harry often supports smaller fashion designers. A JW Anderson cardigan he wore went viral on TikTok during the pandemic. The pattern was shared online for free. The Victoria and Albert Museum bought the cardigan for its collection.

Harry has won many fashion awards. He was named the "Most Stylish Man of the Year" by GQ in 2020. He is also considered one of the most influential men in fashion. In 2022, Harry designed a clothing collection with Gucci called "Ha Ha Ha." He has also been credited with making popular items like pearl necklaces, Hawaiian shirts, and feather boas. In 2024, Harry invested in a British fashion label called S.S. Daley.

Personal Life

Harry Styles lives in North London and also has an apartment in Manhattan. He used to live in Los Angeles but sold his home there. Early in his career, he lived with producer Ben Winston for almost two years.

Harry believes in karma. He has said he is "more spiritual than religious." He practices pilates and meditates daily. He also attends therapy regularly. Harry follows a pescatarian diet, meaning he eats fish but no other meat. In 2022, he won an award from PETA for telling fans he doesn't eat chicken.

Harry is one of the richest young musicians in the UK. In 2024, his wealth was estimated at £175 million.

Tattoos

Styles heavily tattooed at Wembley Stadium, 2023

Harry has many tattoos. He got his first one at 18. A large butterfly on his chest is one of his most noticeable tattoos. He has tattoos like the Green Bay Packers logo, swallows, and the words "NY, LA, LDN." He also has a padlock tattoo done by Ed Sheeran. Some of his tattoos are related to his family. He has matching tattoos with Ed Sheeran (Pingu) and Nathan Followill (half a heart).

Helping Others

Styles waving a progress pride flag in Little Rock, Arkansas, in November 2021

In 2013, Harry and Liam Payne became ambassadors for a cancer charity called Trekstock. They raised over US$800,000. Harry supports equal rights for everyone. In 2014, he joined Stonewall's campaign for LGBT rights. He often waves pride flags at his concerts. He also helps fans come out publicly during his shows. Many LGBT fans feel safe at his concerts. He received an award for being an LGBTQ Advocate.

In 2014, Harry supported Emma Watson's HeForShe campaign for gender equality. In 2015, he helped fund water wells in India. The next year, he donated his hair to the Little Princess Trust. This charity makes wigs for children who have lost their hair due to illness.

Harry's first solo tour raised US$1.2 million for 62 charities worldwide. His second tour raised US$1 million for groups like Physicians for Reproductive Health and Black Voters Matter. Both tours also promoted saving water.

In 2018, his online store sold T-shirts with the slogan "Treat People With Kindness" to raise money for GLSEN. He also supported the March for Our Lives petition and added "Black Lives Matter" stickers to his guitar. Harry identifies as a feminist. He has said he wants to find one big cause to truly stand up for.

Harry has spoken about important world events like Brexit and the Black Lives Matter movement. He believes that "anything that brings people together is better than things that pull people apart." He supported Joe Biden in the 2020 United States presidential election. In 2022, he donated his fee from an Apple commercial to help refugees from Ukraine.

Treat People with Kindness (TPWK)

"Treat People with Kindness," or "TPWK," is a slogan Harry uses to share his message of love and acceptance. He started using it on his guitar and tour merchandise in 2017. He saw many people wearing T-shirts with the slogan. This inspired him to write a song called "Treat People with Kindness" for his second album, Fine Line.

In 2019, posters with "Do you know who you are?" and "TPWK" appeared in cities worldwide. Fans connected them to Harry. For World Mental Health Day, Harry launched a website that gives users positive messages ending with "TPWK. LOVE, H."

Discography

• Harry Styles (2017)
• Fine Line (2019)
• Harry's House (2022)

Filmography

Film

Television

Tours

• Harry Styles: Live on Tour (2017–2018)
• Love On Tour (2021–2023)

Images for kids

• 

  Autographed signature of Harry Styles in ink

See also

In Spanish: Harry Styles para niños

• List of most-attended concert tours
• List of highest-certified music artists in the United States
• List of British Grammy winners and nominees
• List of most-streamed artists on Spotify