{"id":610535,"date":"2026-09-24T18:04:13","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T18:04:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/610535\/"},"modified":"2026-09-24T18:04:13","modified_gmt":"2026-09-24T18:04:13","slug":"one-directions-2012-greatest-pop-stars-podcast-vintage-pop-stardom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/610535\/","title":{"rendered":"One Direction’s 2012: Greatest Pop Stars Podcast Vintage Pop Stardom"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tIn 2012, boy bands hadn\u2019t been a major part of the American pop marketplace in a decade \u2014 since the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC and their progeny ruled the world during the peak of the TRL era at the turn of the century \u2014\u00a0and hadn\u2019t had a British vocal group take over top 40 in far longer. But by the end of the year, not only had X Factor alums One Direction \u2014 Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Niall Horan \u2014\u00a0crashed onto U.S. shores, they had absolutely taken the country over, releasing two Billboard 200-topping albums full of pop-rock bangers, swarming all of pop culture and marking a new era in social media and musical fandom. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tExplore\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n

See latest videos, charts and news<\/p>\n

\n\tOn this week\u2019s Vintage Pop Stardom episode<\/a> of the Greatest Pop Stars podcast<\/a>, host Andrew Unterberger is joined by Billboard co-chief content officer Jason Lipshutz \u2014 whose second book, A Whole Lotta History, tells the story of One Direction\u2019s entire career, and is out November 3 (pre-order it here<\/a>) \u2014 to discuss one of the most jam-packed pop star years of the entire 21st century. We detail how 1D showed up in our lives at year\u2019s beginning as relative unknowns unlikely to make a major impact, and ended the year as no-doubt superstars, with even bigger things still to come. <\/p>\n

\n\tAlong the way, we also answer all the most pressing questions about One Direction\u2019s early days: Who were our favorite members, and the seemingly obvious future breakout stars? What made the sadly late Liam Payne so essential to the early group? Which do we prefer between Up All Night and Take Me Home? Is \u201cWhat Makes You Beautiful\u201d one of the greatest debut singles of all time \u2014 and is \u201cOne Thing\u201d actually secretly the better single of the two? Were The Wanted worthy rivals for the group at first \u2014\u00a0and why did 1D ultimately end up leaving them in the dust? Why wasn\u2019t the group\u2019s early radio success commiserate with its pop stardom? And perhaps most importantly: Where do we still see One Direction\u2019s massive pop impact a decade and a half later \u2014\u00a0and might we ever see the boys (without Liam) together again? <\/p>\n

\n\tCheck it out above, along with a YouTube playlist of One Direction\u2019s biggest 2012 moments \u2014 all of which are discussed in the episode \u2014 and subscribe to the Greatest Pop Stars podcast<\/a> on Apple Music<\/a> or Spotify<\/a> (or wherever you get your podcasts<\/a>) for weekly discussions every Thursday about all things related to pop stardom!<\/p>\n

\n\tMake sure to pre-order Jason\u2019s excellent One Direction book A Whole Lotta History here<\/a>. <\/p>\n

\n\tAnd as we say in every one of these GPS podcast posts \u2014 if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:<\/p>\n

\n\tTransgender Law Center<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tTrans Lifeline<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tDestination Tomorrow<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tGender-Affirming Care Fundraising on GoFundMe<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tHuman Rights Campaign \u2013 In Your Area<\/a><\/p>\n

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