An unseen footage from 'The X Factor' reveals how Filipino-American singer Nicole Scherzinger helped curate One Direction, the world's most celebrated pop boy band yet
Everyone can thank the early 2000s for giving birth to the likes of Britney Spears, Mary J Blidge, and the West Life; but pop culture in 2010 was something else. It was a time when most of the stars we know and love today were at the peak of their experimental stages—Lady Gaga released electronic dance music; Billie Eilish took the internet by storm with her glitchy and eerie beats, and Ariana Grande filled arenas with her powerful vocals and R&B-tinged tracks.
The stars who arguably had the 2010 pop era circling in the palm of their hands were the boys of One Direction. Twelve years after the band’s debut, legions of its devoted fans can only look back and thank one of the first people who believed in the boys’ magic—Nicole Scherzinger.
Related: Filipina Filmmaker Isabel Sandoval Directs Andrew Garfield's First Television Series
To celebrate One Direction’s anniversary, The X Factor uploaded unseen footage of the band’s formation. In the video were judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, and Scherzinger browsing the photos of eliminated performers they invited back for a second chance.
Among the pictures were Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne, the boys of the beloved English-Irish group.
“For the first time ever, here is how the decision is made,” the video says before cutting to the part where the judges categorise the potential members of the boy band.
“Yes!” Scherzinger exclaims upon seeing Styles’ portrait. “It’s the cutest boy band ever,” she adds after suggesting they pair Styles with Horan. “It’s the cutest boy band ever.”
In case you missed it: Are we Filipinos Because We Love Music, or Do We Love Music Because We are Filipinos?
Tomlinson is then added to the mix. “The little girls are going to love them, they’re just too talented to get rid of; they have just the right look and the right charisma on stage,” the half-Filipina star shares. “I think they’ll be really great in a boy band together. They’re like little stars. You can’t get rid of little stars, so you put them all together.”
Before they finish, Payne’s photo is added to the pile; Cowell suggests that the singer may find luck in another potential group. Scherzinger defends her decision and says, “He [Payne] can actually maybe be the leader.” Malik is finally added and completes the five-man band.
On July 25, 2022, Scherzinger re-posted the video on her official Instagram account. “So happy Simon Cowell finally let this never before seen footage out of the vault so you all can really see how One Direction was formed. Happy 12-year anniversary, boys!”
Read also: Tatler Review: ‘Harry’s House’ album
