A full-scale investigation into how Niall Horan became the hottest member of 1D

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A full-scale investigation into how Niall Horan became the hottest member of 1D

An exploration into Niall’s extreme glow up

As a loyal One Directioner I have watched my boys blossom from young lads into full-grown, walking thirst traps. And while Harry and Liam might be contenders, Niall is truly the hottest member of One Direction. And it's just not me saying this, it's science and I can prove it.

Let's start at the beginning, shall we?

2010

It's 2010. We're officially out of the early millennium and we have no idea what's in store. Over in England, a show called X Factor has been thriving and churning out stars. One day, a cute young Irish lad takes to the stage to try his hand at becoming a star.

  • He's merely 16 and has a bad, blonde, Justin-Bieber-imitation-haircut. And even though he's a cute, angelic cherub that you just want to squeeze, cute does not equal hot.

    2011

    One Direction releases their first album Up All Night and become international sensations. Alongside his bandmates Harry, Liam, Zayn, and Louis, Niall is thrust into the spotlight and thus, his image starts to change.

    Niall's still a cutie patootie with pipsqueak tendencies. He doesn't have muscle mass, his pants don't really fit, and his hair is still frighteningly blonde.

    But he does start to experiment with a more ~sophisticated~ swoop hairstyle which would make anyone do a double take.

    2012

    One Direction's second album, Take Me Home, drops. The boys are seasoned heartthrobs by this point. They're well aware that girls around the globe have posters of them on their walls and pretend that they're dating them IRL.

    Niall has officially adopted the swoop haircut. He's a man now, after all. His hair isn't as blonde and his face has filled out a bit more. Baby boy, have you been working out? You seem… thicc. Ish.

    2013

    Midnight Memories is released, giving girls around the world midnight memories of their own. By this point, the boys have been tabloid fodder for three years and they've had their fair share of relationships. They're officially sexualized figures.

    Look at that face. Look at that hair. Niall is leaning the fuck into his image and he's doing it mighty well. I'm thirsty for Niall at this point, but he's still not the hottest member of the band.

    He's got that second-string varsity thing going on where he's cute but you'd rather try and score the starting quarterback.

    2014

    One Direction releases Four, which contains the group's best song "Stockholm Syndrome" (don't fight me, you know I'm right). But Niall overall kind of plateaus.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/pi3isHsyBe/

    Niall doesn't change much and his look is very much the way it's always been: swoopy blonde hair, cute little smile, preppy but chill wardrobe. He's a very good boy-bander, but he's not the hottest.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/qO1jy-syAM/

    2015

    I have a theory that Niall had always resigned himself to being one of the middle-of-the-road members of 1D. I think he realized he wouldn't be the lead singer (Harry), wouldn't have sex appeal (Zayn), wouldn't be the funny one (Louis) and wouldn't be Liam (whatever it is he does), so he'd take the slot as the cute one who could also kiiinda sing. Just kinda there.

    BUT THEN!

    Zayn leaves One Direction. Which means the sexy, bad boy slot is wide open. And Niall doesn't just walk — he runs to it.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/4fNSuOMyAt/

    Is that facial hair, daddy? I see those bulging biceps. You've even trimmed your coif. He dresses naughtier, more hip. He's got a bit of an edge now. He's showing off his chest hair. He's smizinggggg. Niall. Is. Here. To. Be. Your. Bad. Boy.

    Niall's not a kid any longer and he's ready for you to know it.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/3rhSdIsyAI/

    2016

    This is where it starts to get interesting. With One Direction now on "hiatus", Niall no longer has to fit inside a box. He doesn't have to fill a slot, he can just be Niall.

    He releases his first solo single "This Town" which is cute and sweet and very much still the sound of a Niall who has yet to glow up. It's old Niall. It's the Niall he thinks the world wants him to be instead of who he is.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BLLVzCUB346

    But his look is evolving. That facial hair can stay forever. He. Is. So. Close. His style has even segued into a hot, young professorial hipster type of vibe that I am here for. Sweaters. Hats. Suede Boots.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BMCb_PFBgZ-

    2017

    On January 8th, something happens. Niall Horan debuts as a brunette.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BPAcEbJADhk

    WHERE has this Niall been since 2010? Who is the jackass who insisted he keep dyeing his hair? Why haven't we seen this brown-haired babe before?

    Niall is no longer living in the shadows of Justin Bieber or his bandmates. He's Niall fucking Horan and he is here to be the man of your dreams.

    Oh, and then he has the audacity to release "Slow Hands"? Niall has officially entered the game and taken over. Your slow hands can roam all over my body any time you want, baby. Especially when you wear those glasses.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BU2UFrgFN42
    https://www.instagram.com/p/BVQXOZTFsVU

    The proof is here, world, so wake up.

    Niall Horan is now the hottest member of One Direction and that's all there is to it.

    @jenniferficarra