Niall Horan has revealed he was too famous to go out in public at the height of his One Direction fame.
In a wide-ranging interview with Cosmopolitan UK, the Mullingar hitmaker opened up about life in a boyband, turning 30 this year, the romantic sides to his personality and his upcoming album, The Show.
“I loved touring, but it was f****ng crazy," said the 29-year-old. "We’d go to countries and never see a second of it – it was hotel, venue, plane, same again. We couldn’t get out the [hotel] door. If you went out in the car, you’d be seen and chased [by fans].
READ MORE: Niall Horan gives rare glimpse inside life with girlfriend Amelia Woolley
"I understand why it was going on, but it gave me a thing where, when I came back to London, I would be afraid to go out. There was a period where I actually couldn’t."
Niall shot to fame with fellow 1D bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson after appearing on the X Factor in 2010.
The band decided to "take a break" in 2016, prompting Horan to go solo and release his debut single 'This Town'. His third and newest album will be released on Friday, June 9.
Speaking about his forthcoming LP, part of which was written during the Covid-19 pandemic, Niall said: "I’m more excited than I thought I would be. I’m revved up, but I’m nervous. I hope I didn’t waste 18 months writing something for people not to like it…There’s no heartbreak stuff [on this album], so there needed to be a new concept.
"The only good part of the pandemic for me was that I was actually happy being still. I had time to breathe; I realised it doesn’t have to be a thousand miles an hour all the time."
Voice USA coach Niall is currently dating Budweiser account manager Amelia Woolley, although their relationship is kept largely out of the spotlight. The pair are said to have been together since 2020 and Woolley, originally from England, has the seal of approval from Niall's mammy, Maura.
Lifting the lid on his romantic side, Niall said: "I think so. I wouldn't say I’m like ‘rose petals on the floor’ type of romantic, but I'm good at caring. I'm good at making dinners and the day-to-day stuff…I’m good at words of affirmation and I’m good at touch."
And on his upcoming 30th birthday in September, Niall added: "I’m excited for it – I’ve heard your 30s are the best time of your life. I’ve never been one of those people to overthink timelines…I’d like to still be doing this, going around the world, still playing to thousands of people. I’d like to win a Grammy. I’d like to be happy. And to still have decent skin."
Niall Horan is the new Cosmopolitan UK digital cover star, as part of an interview available on the magazine’s website
READ NEXT:
