Louis Tomlinson is an English singer, songwriter, and producer known for his time in the globally successful boy band One Direction. His journey began on the British music competition show, The X Factor, in 2010. Initially eliminated as a solo artist, he was regrouped with four other contestants, forming One Direction, which achieved monumental success and became one of the best-selling boy bands ever.
December 1991: Birth of Louis Tomlinson
Louis Tomlinson was born as Louis Troy Austin in December 1991.
2000: Birth of Félicité Tomlinson
Louis Tomlinson's half-sister, Félicité, was born in 2000.
2008: Breaking Records with "Take Me Home"
One Direction's album "Take Me Home", released in 2012, made them the first boy band in US chart history to have two number-one albums in a calendar year, a feat not achieved by any group since 2008.
2009: Early Musical Experiences and Motivation
In 2009, Louis Tomlinson's removal from a band fueled his determination to audition for The X Factor.
July 2010: Formation of One Direction
In July 2010, after a suggestion from Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Tomlinson was grouped with Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, and Harry Styles to form One Direction on The X Factor.
2010: Louis Tomlinson's X-Factor Audition
In 2010, Louis Tomlinson auditioned for the British music competition series The X Factor.
February 2011: One Direction Book Release and Tour
One Direction's book, "One Direction: Forever Young," was released in February 2011 and they participated in The X Factor Live Tour.
April 2011: Conclusion of The X Factor Live Tour
One Direction concluded their participation in The X Factor Live Tour in April 2011.
September 2011: Release of Debut Single "What Makes You Beautiful"
One Direction released their debut single, "What Makes You Beautiful," in September 2011, achieving global success.
November 2011: Tomlinson Begins Dating Eleanor Calder
Louis Tomlinson began a relationship with student Eleanor Calder in November 2011.
May 2012: Release of "Up All Night: The Live Tour" and "Dare to Dream: Life as One Direction"
In May 2012, One Direction released a tour video album, "Up All Night: The Live Tour," and their first book licensed in America, "Dare to Dream: Life as One Direction."
June 2012: One Direction's Success and Business Empire
By June 2012, One Direction, part of a "British Invasion" in the United States, had become a significant business empire, selling millions of records and earning the title of "Top New Artist" by Billboard.
September 2012: Release of "Live While We're Young"
One Direction released the single "Live While We're Young" in September 2012.
2012: Tomlinson Purchases Home in North London
Louis Tomlinson bought a house in Barnet, North London, in 2012.
August 2013: Release of "One Direction: This Is Us" and "One Direction: Where We Are: Our Band, Our Story: 100% Official"
August 2013 saw the release of One Direction's documentary concert film, "One Direction: This Is Us," and their book, "One Direction: Where We Are: Our Band, Our Story: 100% Official."
September 2013: Debut for Doncaster Rovers Reserves Postponed Due to Injury
Tomlinson's scheduled debut for Doncaster Rovers' reserve team against Scunthorpe United on September 18, 2013, was postponed due to an injury sustained during a charity match for Stiliyan Petrov, where he was tackled by Gabriel Agbonlahor.
November 2013: Midnight Memories Release
One Direction's third studio album, "Midnight Memories," was released in November 2013, becoming a global success.
2013: Joins Doncaster Rovers as Development Player
In 2013, after impressing in a charity game, Louis Tomlinson signed with his hometown football club, Doncaster Rovers, as a non-contract development player. His signing allowed him to train and participate in reserve games while balancing his music commitments with One Direction.
February 2014: Makes Debut for Doncaster Rovers Reserves
Tomlinson eventually made his debut for Doncaster Rovers' reserve team as a substitute in a charity match against Rotherham United on February 26, 2014. The game, attended by over 4,000 spectators, aimed to raise funds for Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice.
April 2014: Where We Are Tour Begins
One Direction embarked on their third headlining tour, "Where We Are," in April 2014, marking their first all-stadium tour.
May 2014: Participates in Niall Horan's Charity Football Challenge
On May 26, 2014, Tomlinson participated in a charity football match organized by his One Direction bandmate, Niall Horan, at the King Power Stadium.
June 2014: Takeover of Doncaster Rovers Falls Through
In June 2014, Tomlinson and former chairman John Ryan attempted to take over ownership of Doncaster Rovers. Despite initial confirmation, the deal fell through, although Tomlinson continues to be involved with the club.
September 2014: One Direction: Who We Are Release
September 2014 saw the release of One Direction's fourth book, "One Direction: Who We Are: Our Official Autobiography."
September 2014: Plays in MAESTRIO Charity Match
Tomlinson returned to Celtic Park on September 7, 2014, to play in the MAESTRIO Charity Match, joining Rio Ferdinand's All-Stars team against Paul McStay's Maestros. The event drew a crowd of 25,000 and raised money for various charities, including UNICEF, War Child, the Celtic Foundation, and the Rio Ferdinand Foundation.
October 2014: One Direction: Where We Are - The Concert Film Release
One Direction's second concert film, "One Direction: Where We Are - The Concert Film," hit screens in October 2014.
November 2014: Four Release
"Four," One Direction's fourth studio album, was released in November 2014, becoming their final album to feature Zayn Malik.
2014: Birth of Doris and Ernest Deakin
Doris and Ernest Deakin, Louis Tomlinson's half-siblings, were born in 2014.
March 2015: Tomlinson and Calder Split
In March 2015, Louis Tomlinson and Eleanor Calder ended their relationship.
July 2015: News Breaks of Tomlinson Expecting a Child
Reports surfaced in July 2015 that Louis Tomlinson was expecting a child with stylist Briana Jungwirth.
August 2015: Tomlinson Confirms Pregnancy News
Louis Tomlinson confirmed on Good Morning America in August 2015 that he and Briana Jungwirth were expecting a child.
November 2015: Made in the A.M. Release
One Direction released their fifth album, "Made in the A.M.," in November 2015.
November 2015: Tomlinson Begins Relationship with Danielle Campbell
Louis Tomlinson started dating actress Danielle Campbell in November 2015.
2015: Founds Record Label Triple Strings Ltd
Tomlinson established his own record label, Triple Strings Ltd., as an imprint of Syco Music in 2015.
2015: Tomlinson's X Factor Appearances
Louis Tomlinson appeared on both the UK and US versions of "The X Factor" in 2015, showcasing his interest in becoming a permanent judge.
January 2016: Tomlinson Becomes a Father
Louis Tomlinson and Briana Jungwirth welcomed their son into the world on January 21, 2016.
March 2016: One Direction's Hiatus
One Direction commenced an indefinite hiatus in March 2016, allowing its members to pursue individual projects.
April 2016: Tomlinson Announced for Soccer Aid 2016
In April 2016, Louis Tomlinson was announced as a participant in Soccer Aid 2016, a charity football match benefiting UNICEF.
June 2016: Tomlinson Plays in Soccer Aid 2016
On June 5, 2016, Louis Tomlinson played in Soccer Aid 2016 for the England squad. Notably, he played against his One Direction bandmate Niall Horan, who was on the opposing team.
December 10, 2016: "Just Hold On" Release and Tomlinson's Mother's Passing
Tomlinson released his debut solo single, "Just Hold On," with Steve Aoki on December 10, 2016, dedicating the performance to his mother who had recently passed away.
December 2016: Tomlinson's Mother Passes Away
In December 2016, Johannah Deakin, Louis Tomlinson's mother, died from leukemia at the age of 43.
December 2016: Release of "Just Hold On"
In December 2016, Louis Tomlinson, following One Direction's hiatus, debuted his solo single "Just Hold On" with Steve Aoki.
December 2016: Tomlinson and Campbell Break Up
Louis Tomlinson and Danielle Campbell ended their relationship in December 2016.
March 2017: Tomlinson Detained at LAX After Altercation
Louis Tomlinson was detained by security at Los Angeles International Airport in March 2017 following an altercation involving a paparazzo and fans. Although initially charged with a misdemeanor, the charges were later dropped.
April 2017: Charges Against Tomlinson Dropped
Charges against Louis Tomlinson stemming from the March 2017 LAX incident were dropped in April 2017 after footage emerged that supported Tomlinson's claim that the altercation was provoked by the paparazzo.
July 2017: "Back to You" Release
July 2017 saw the release of "Back to You," Tomlinson's single featuring Bebe Rexha and Digital Farm Animals, with a music video filmed in his hometown of Doncaster.
October 2017: "Just Like You" Release
Tomlinson dropped the promotional single "Just Like You" in October 2017.
December 2017: "Miss You" Release
Tomlinson released his second solo single, "Miss You," in December 2017.
2017: Musical Releases and Recognition
Louis Tomlinson released "Back to You" with Bebe Rexha and "Miss You" in 2017. He was also featured on Debrett's list of influential people in the UK.
2017: Confirms Work on Girl Band Project
In 2017, Tomlinson confirmed his involvement with Simon Cowell in creating a girl band, with auditions taking place in 2015.
2017: Tomlinson and Calder Reunite
Louis Tomlinson and Eleanor Calder rekindled their romance in early 2017.
July 2018: Tomlinson Becomes X Factor Judge
In July 2018, Tomlinson was announced as a judge on the fifteenth series of "The X Factor," becoming the show's first former contestant to mentor a winning act.
2018: The X Factor Judge and Mentor
Louis Tomlinson returned to The X Factor in 2018 as a judge and mentor for the "Boys" category.
February 2019: Tomlinson Signs with Arista Records
February 2019 marked Tomlinson's signing with Arista Records.
March 2019: "Two of Us" Release
Tomlinson's first release under Arista Records, "Two of Us," a tribute to his mother, was released in March 2019.
March 2019: Tomlinson's Sister Passes Away
Tragedy struck Louis Tomlinson's family again in March 2019 when his younger sister, Félicité Tomlinson, died from an accidental overdose at the age of 18.
September 2019: "Kill My Mind" Release
Tomlinson released the single "Kill My Mind" in September 2019, marking a significant step in finding his musical style.
October 2019: "We Made It" Release and World Tour Announcement
October 2019 saw the release of Tomlinson's single "We Made It" and the announcement of his Louis Tomlinson World Tour.
2019: Death of Félicité Tomlinson
Louis Tomlinson's half-sister, Félicité, passed away in 2019.
2019: Release of Various Singles
In 2019, Louis Tomlinson released several singles, including "Two of Us," "Kill My Mind," "We Made It," "Don't Let It Break Your Heart," and "Walls."
January 2020: Walls Chart Performance
"Walls" achieved chart success upon its release, reaching high positions in various countries.
January 2020: Debut Album Release - "Walls"
Louis Tomlinson released his debut solo album, "Walls", in January 2020, which secured top chart positions.
January 31, 2020: Walls Release
Tomlinson's debut solo album, "Walls," was released on January 31, 2020.
June 2020: Tomlinson Shows Support for Black Lives Matter Movement
Throughout May and June 2020, Louis Tomlinson expressed his support for the Black Lives Matter movement. He shared donation links, made personal donations, and attended a protest in London with his then-girlfriend, Eleanor Calder.
July 2020: Parts Ways with Syco Music and Begins Writing New Album
In July 2020, Louis Tomlinson announced his departure from Syco Music and shared that he had started working on his next album.
December 2020: Live From London Digital Concert Breaks Guinness World Record
On December 12, 2020, Tomlinson's "Live From London" digital concert broke the Guinness World Record for the most livestreamed concert by a male solo artist that year, ranking third overall. The concert raised money for charities like FareShare, Crew Nation, Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice, and Stagehand, as well as supporting tour crew affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: Debut Solo Album Announcement
In 2020, Tomlinson announced his debut solo studio album, initially slated for release in early 2020.
2020: Tomlinson Puts Hollywood Hills Home Up for Sale
Louis Tomlinson listed his home in the Hollywood Hills for sale in 2020. He had owned the property since 2016.
May 2021: Signs Global Deal with BMG
In May 2021, Louis Tomlinson signed a global deal with BMG for the release of his second album.
July 2021: Announces Away From Home Festival
In July 2021, Tomlinson announced the first edition of Away From Home Festival, a music festival he founded and curated. In celebration of the return of live music post-pandemic, Tomlinson performed for free.
August 2021: First Away From Home Festival Held at Crystal Palace Bowl
The inaugural Away From Home Festival took place on August 30, 2021, at Crystal Palace Bowl in London, featuring bands like The Snuts and Bilk.
2021: Louis Tomlinson World Tour Rescheduled Dates
The Louis Tomlinson World Tour saw rescheduled dates announced in 2021 due to the pandemic.
2021: Teases Designs at Away From Home Festival
Tomlinson began teasing designs from his clothing line, which would later be called 28, as early as the first Away From Home Festival in 2021.
2021: Expresses Interest in New Music Management Company and Record Label
Following his departure from Syco Music in 2021, Tomlinson shared his interest in establishing his own music management company and owning a record label. He felt that Triple Strings Ltd. hadn't fulfilled his goal of supporting emerging artists.
February 2022: Louis Tomlinson World Tour Begins
Tomlinson kicked off his first headlining tour, the Louis Tomlinson World Tour, in February 2022, after postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
August 2022: Completion and Leaks of Second Album, "Faith in the Future"
August 2022 saw the completion of Tomlinson's second studio album. However, the excitement was dampened by leaks of tracks from the album, which Tomlinson expressed disappointment about.
August 2022: Second Away From Home Festival Takes Place in Málaga
The second annual Away From Home Festival was held on August 30, 2022, at Marenostrum Music Castle Park in Málaga, Spain. The festival showcased artists like The Vaccines, Sun Room, STONE, and Voodoos, drawing 17,000 fans and garnering positive reviews.
September 2022: Louis Tomlinson World Tour Concludes
Tomlinson wrapped up his successful Louis Tomlinson World Tour in September 2022.
November 11, 2022: Release of "Faith in the Future" and Chart Success
Tomlinson's second album, "Faith in the Future," was released on November 11, 2022. It marked his first solo album to reach No. 1 on the UK Albums Chart and debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Charts in the US.
November 2022: Tomlinson Suffers Arm Injury
In November 2022, Louis Tomlinson fractured his upper right arm in a fall after a performance in New York City. The injury required surgery and led to the rescheduling of some of his promotional appearances.
November 2022: Release of Second Album - "Faith in the Future"
In November 2022, Louis Tomlinson released his second studio album, "Faith in the Future", achieving chart success.
December 2022: Triple Strings Ltd. Remains Dormant
As of December 2022, Triple Strings Ltd. remained inactive.
2022: Tomlinson and Calder Break Up Again
Louis Tomlinson and Eleanor Calder ended their relationship once more in 2022.
January 2023: Tomlinson and Calder's Second Breakup Announced
It was announced in January 2023 that Louis Tomlinson and Eleanor Calder had broken up again in 2022, after reuniting in 2017.
March 2023: Release of Documentary "All of Those Voices"
"All of Those Voices," a documentary about Tomlinson's journey from One Direction member to solo artist, premiered in cinemas globally on March 22, 2023. The film, directed by Charlie Lightening, became available for streaming on Paramount+ in October 2023.
May 2023: "Faith in the Future" World Tour Kicks Off in North America
Tomlinson's second world tour, "Faith in the Future," commenced in North America in May 2023. Although initially planned, Asian concert dates in mid to late April were canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.
July 2023: Kit Connor Sports 28 Clothing in The Guardian Photoshoot
In July 2023, actor Kit Connor became the first public figure besides Tomlinson to be seen wearing a piece from the 28 clothing line in a photoshoot for The Guardian styled by Helen Seamons.
August 2023: Launches Streetwear Clothing Line, 28
On August 28, 2023, Tomlinson officially debuted his streetwear-inspired unisex clothing line, known as 28, 28 Clothing, or 28 Official Programme (28OP), after teasing designs since the first Away From Home Festival in 2021.
August 2023: Third Away From Home Festival Held in Camaiore, Italy
The third iteration of Away From Home Festival took place in Camaiore, Italy, on August 19, 2023, with performances by Blossoms, The Cribs, Andrew Cushin, and HotWax.
October 2023: "All of Those Voices" Available for Streaming
Tomlinson's documentary, "All of Those Voices," became available for streaming on Paramount+ in October 2023, having been released in theaters in March 2023.
November 2023: Second Drop of 28 Clothing Line Released
The second product release for Tomlinson's clothing line, 28, occurred on November 28, 2023.
November 2023: Nominated for Live Act Award at the Rolling Stone UK Awards
Following a sold-out performance at London's O2 Arena, Tomlinson received a nomination for the Live Act Award at the Rolling Stone UK Awards in November 2023.
2023: Co-invests in Andrew Cushin's Debut Album
Tomlinson, through his company 78 Productions, co-invested in the debut album of artist Andrew Cushin, titled "Waiting for the Rain." This partnership was announced in 2023 after Cushin supported Tomlinson's "Faith in the Future" World Tour in North America and Europe.
2024: "Faith in the Future" World Tour Continues
After touring North America and Europe in 2023, Tomlinson is set to continue his "Faith in the Future" World Tour in Asia, Australia, and Latin America in 2024.