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 February 1, 1994) is an English singer, songwriter, and actor. He is known for his exciting performances, creative music, and bold fashion choices. His work has made a big impact on pop culture.

Styles's music journey started in 2010. He became a member of the boy band One Direction on the TV show The X Factor. The band became one of the best-selling boy bands ever before taking a break in 2016. In 2017, Styles released his first solo album, Harry Styles. It was a huge hit, reaching number one in the UK and the US.

His second album, Fine Line (2019), also debuted at the top of the US charts. Its song "Watermelon Sugar" became a number-one single in the US. His third album, Harry's House (2022), won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. Its lead single, "As It Was", was the biggest song in the world in 2022.

Styles has won many awards, including six Brit Awards and three Grammy Awards. He has also acted in movies like Dunkirk (2017) and My Policeman (2022). He was the first man to appear by himself on the cover of Vogue magazine. Styles also supports many charities and speaks up for equality.

Early Life

Harry Edward Styles was born on February 1, 1994, in Redditch, Worcestershire, England. As a child, he moved with his parents, Anne and Desmond, and his older sister, Gemma, to Holmes Chapel in Cheshire. His parents divorced when he was seven.

Styles said he had a "great childhood" and that his parents always supported him. His grandfather gave him a karaoke machine, and he loved to sing. The first song he ever recorded was "The Girl of My Best Friend" by Elvis Presley.

In high school, Styles was the lead singer for a band called White Eskimo. The band even won a local Battle of the Bands competition. When he was 16, he worked part-time at a bakery in his hometown.

Career

2010–2015: One Direction

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

In 2010, Styles auditioned for the British singing competition The X Factor. He first sang "Hey, Soul Sister" by Train and then "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder. He didn't make it through as a solo artist, but the judges had another idea.

Styles and four other contestants—Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik—were put together to form a boy band. Styles came up with the name One Direction. The group became very popular and finished in third place on the show.

In 2011, One Direction signed a record deal. Their first single, "What Makes You Beautiful", was a number-one hit in the UK. Their debut album, Up All Night, also went to number one in the US. The band released four more successful albums: Take Me Home (2012), Midnight Memories (2013), Four (2014), and Made in the A.M. (2015).

One Direction sold 70 million records worldwide, making them one of the best-selling boy bands of all time. In 2016, the group decided to take an indefinite hiatus, or a long break, to work on their own projects.

2016–2018: Solo Career and Dunkirk

Styles performing in Nashville, Tennessee, in 2018

As a solo artist, Styles signed a new record deal with Columbia Records. He also started his own record label, Erskine Records. He worked on his first album in Los Angeles, London, and Jamaica.

In April 2017, he released his first solo single, "Sign of the Times". The song went to number one in the UK. Its music video, which showed Styles flying and walking on water, won a Brit Award.

His self-titled debut album, Harry Styles, came out in May 2017. It hit number one in many countries, including the UK and the US. To support the album, he went on his first solo tour, Harry Styles: Live on Tour.

In 2017, Styles also made his acting debut in the war film Dunkirk. He played a British soldier named Alex. The film's director, Christopher Nolan, said he cast Styles because he was perfect for the part.

2019–2021: Fine Line

Styles performing at United Center in Chicago in 2021

Styles's second album, Fine Line, was released in December 2019. The album included hit singles like "Lights Up" and "Adore You". It went to number one in the US, setting a record for the biggest first-week sales by an English male artist.

The album's fourth single, "Watermelon Sugar", became Styles's first number-one hit in the US. The song also won him his first Grammy Award. Rolling Stone magazine later included Fine Line on its list of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time".

His tour for the album, called Love On Tour, was planned for 2020 but was moved to 2021. In November 2021, Styles appeared in a scene in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Eternals as the character Eros.

2022–present: Harry's House and More Films

Styles performing at Wembley Stadium in 2022

In 2022, Styles released his third album, Harry's House. It was a massive success. The lead single, "As It Was", was number one in the UK and the US for many weeks. It became the biggest song in the world that year.

The album Harry's House won two of the biggest music awards: the Grammy Award for Album of the Year and the Brit Award for British Album of the Year. With four songs from the album in the US top 10 at the same time, Styles became the first British solo artist to do so.

That same year, Styles starred in two movies. He played Jack Chambers in the thriller Don't Worry Darling and Tom Burgess in the drama My Policeman.

His Love On Tour concluded in July 2023 after earning over $617 million, making it one of the highest-grossing tours ever. To celebrate his 15 sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden, a permanent banner was raised in the arena in his honor.

Artistry

Musical Style and Influences

Artists such as David Bowie and Shania Twain have influenced Styles.

Styles's music is often described as pop rock, soft rock, and synth-pop. His first album was influenced by 1970s rock music from artists like Pink Floyd and the Rolling Stones. His second album, Fine Line, mixed this nostalgic sound with modern pop.

He has said that artists like Freddie Mercury, Elvis Presley, and David Bowie inspire him. He also looks up to Shania Twain for both her music and fashion. He believes it's important for artists to evolve and change, just like Bowie did throughout his career.

Styles is also inspired by other musicians like Joni Mitchell and George Michael. He even has lyrics from Michael's song "Careless Whisper" tattooed on his ankles.

Stage Performances

As a solo artist, Styles tours with a full backing band, creating a rock festival feel. He sings and plays the acoustic guitar during his shows. His band includes talented musicians like guitarist Mitch Rowland and drummer Sarah Jones.

Critics have called Styles an energetic and charismatic performer. His stage presence has been compared to legendary rock stars like Freddie Mercury and Mick Jagger. He works hard to give his fans the best show possible every night.

Cultural Status

Styles on Love On Tour in 2022

Styles is often called a pop icon and a fashion icon. He is seen as one of the most successful solo artists to come from a boy band. In 2023, Texas State University even started offering a course about his career and impact on pop culture.

His fans, known as "Harries," often dress up for his concerts in colorful outfits with sequins and feather boas. The shows have been called the "fans' Met Gala" because of the creative fashion on display.

In 2022, Rolling Stone UK called Styles the "new King of Pop" after a year of incredible success. His song "As It Was" was the most-streamed song of the year on Spotify.

Fashion

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

Styles is known for his bold and unique fashion. As a solo artist, he often wears colorful suits, sequined tops, and wide-legged pants. He works with the fashion house Gucci and has appeared in several of their campaigns.

He famously quoted musician Paul Simonon by saying, "Pink is the only true rock & roll colour." His fashion choices often challenge traditional ideas about what men should wear.

In 2020, Styles became the first man to appear alone on the cover of Vogue magazine. He wore a blue Gucci dress, which sparked a lot of conversation. Styles said that he doesn't limit himself to "men's" or "women's" clothing. He believes everyone should be free to wear what they think looks cool. The dress was later put on display in a museum.

Personal Life

Styles splits his time between his homes in London and the United States. At the start of his solo career, he lived in the attic of his friend Ben Winston's home for 20 months.

He considers himself to be more spiritual than religious. He practices pilates and meditation to stay healthy. He also follows a pescetarian diet, which means he eats fish but not other meat.

Styles is known for having many tattoos. His most famous one is a large butterfly on his chest. He also has tattoos of swallows, his parents' birth years, and the logo of the Green Bay Packers football team.

Charity and Advocacy

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

Styles is involved with many charities and social causes. In 2013, he became an ambassador for the cancer charity Trekstock. He has also supported clean water projects and donated his hair to a charity that makes wigs for children with illnesses.

His concert tours have raised millions of dollars for various charities around the world. These include organizations that support reproductive health, voting rights, and help for refugees. He also partnered with Everytown for Gun Safety to raise over $1 million to help end gun violence.

Styles often waves pride flags on stage and has created a welcoming space for all his fans at his concerts. He also uses his platform to support gender equality and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Treat People with Kindness

"Treat People with Kindness," or "TPWK," is a slogan Styles uses to spread a message of love and acceptance. He started using it on a pin on his guitar in 2017. It quickly became a motto for him and his fans.

The slogan inspired him to write a song with the same title for his album Fine Line. He has also sold merchandise with the slogan to raise money for charities like GLSEN. For Styles, TPWK is a simple reminder to be good to one another.

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)

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