Louis Tomlinson Said the ‘Lows Are Lower’ As a Solo Artist

  • Louis Tomlinson said the pressure of being a solo artist is different from being in One Direction.
  • The singer wrote in an essay for the Sunday Times that the “lows are lower” when performing alone.
  • Tomlinson also said he enjoys taking full credit for his work and “not just one fifth.”

Louis Tomlinson said he feels a different pressure being a solo artist than he did when he was performing with One Direction.

In a “Life in the Day” column for The Sunday Times, the musician wrote about parenting, social media, and touring on his own. The essay coincides with the release of Tomlinson’s upcoming album, titled “Faith in the Future,” on November 11. 

Members of One Direction began releasing solo projects after they announced an indefinite hiatus in 2016. Tomlinson noted that working alone has its consequences.

“There’s a different sort of pressure being a solo artist, and the lows are lower on your own,” he wrote.

Still, the “Back to You” singer said making decisions for his career means “the highs are higher,” recalling his performance at the Milano Summer Fest in September as an exciting moment.

“In One Direction we made decisions collectively, but now it’s all on me. That also means the highs are higher. This year I did a concert in Milan in front of 34,000 fans. The adulation was almost overwhelming, but I could take all the credit — not just one-fifth,” Tomlinson said, referring to the five original members of the boy band.

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Tomlinson also opened up about fatherhood, sharing how his busy childhood prepared him to be a parent. The singer shares his six-year-old son Freddie with his ex-girlfriend Briana Jungwirth.

“Being a father has changed me but because my mum used to work nights and I was the oldest, the responsibility fell to me to feed, dress and bathe my younger siblings, so I’ve already had a parenting crash course, he said. “I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t challenging, but it’s so rewarding too.”

Louis Tomlinson in a blue pattern jacket in front of a "SiriusXM" backdrop

Louis Tomlinson visits the SiriusXM Studios on September 16, 2022, in New York City.

Noam Galai/Getty Images



While Tomlinson acknowledged that social media is “really important for connecting to my fans,” he also shared he has trouble keeping up with the pace of online activity.

“It can be a toxic place and I’ve had some unhinged messages sliding into my DMs,” he said. “I can’t keep up with these people posting 20 photos a day on Instagram, though, as all I’m doing is watching ‘Bargain Hunt’ and that’s not that interesting.”