Harry Styles: A Pop Icon of the 21st Century
Harry Styles: A Pop Icon of the 21st Century
Harry Styles is one of the most successful and influential pop artists of the 21st century. He rose to fame as a member of the boy band One Direction, which became one of the best-selling groups of all time. He then embarked on a solo career that has earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards. He is also known for his acting roles, his fashion sense, and his activism. In this essay, I will explore some of the aspects that make Harry Styles a pop icon of our time.
essay on harry styles
Music
Harry Styles' musical career began in 2010, when he auditioned for the British music competition series The X Factor. He was eliminated as a solo contestant, but was brought back to form a group with four other singers: Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik. They named themselves One Direction and finished third in the competition. They were signed by Simon Cowell's record label Syco Music and released five albums between 2011 and 2015: Up All Night, Take Me Home, Midnight Memories, Four, and Made in the A.M. The albums were huge commercial successes, selling over 70 million records worldwide and spawning several hit singles such as "What Makes You Beautiful", "Story of My Life", and "Drag Me Down". One Direction also embarked on four world tours and won several awards, including six Brit Awards and four MTV Video Music Awards.
In 2016, One Direction announced an indefinite hiatus to pursue solo projects. Harry Styles signed with Columbia Records and released his self-titled debut album in 2017. The album was a departure from his pop-rock sound with One Direction, incorporating influences from rock, folk, soul, and psychedelic music. It received positive reviews from critics and debuted at number one in the UK and the US. It also produced his first solo number-one single in the UK, "Sign of the Times", which was praised for its maturity and musicality. Styles' second album, Fine Line, was released in 2019 and continued his exploration of different genres and styles. It also debuted at number one in the US, breaking the record for the biggest sales week by an English male artist. It featured the hit singles "Lights Up", "Adore You", "Falling", and "Watermelon Sugar", which became his first solo number-one single in the US. Styles' third album, Harry's House, was released in 2022 and was widely acclaimed by critics and fans alike. It won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 2023 and spawned the global number-one song of the year, "As It Was". Styles has also written songs for other artists, such as Ariana Grande, Kacey Musgraves, Lizzo, and Stevie Nicks.
Acting
Harry Styles made his acting debut in 2017 with the war film Dunkirk, directed by Christopher Nolan. He played a British soldier named Alex who is part of the evacuation of Dunkirk during World War II. He received positive feedback for his performance and was nominated for several awards, including a BAFTA Rising Star Award. In 2022, he starred in two more films: Don't Worry Darling, a psychological thriller directed by Olivia Wilde; and My Policeman, a romantic drama based on the novel by Bethan Roberts. In both films, he played complex characters who challenge gender norms and sexuality stereotypes.
Fashion
Harry Styles is also known for his flamboyant and eclectic fashion choices. He is not afraid to experiment with different styles, colors, patterns, and accessories. He often wears gender-fluid clothing that blurs the lines between masculinity and femininity. He has been praised for his fashion sense by various magazines and designers, such as Gucci, Vogue, GQ, and Dazed. He is also a fashion icon for many young people who admire his confidence and individuality. He is the first man to appear solo on the cover of Vogue magazine.
Activism
Harry Styles is also an activist who supports various causes and charities. He is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, mental health awareness, environmental protection, and racial justice. He has donated money and raised funds for organizations 29c81ba772