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Louis Tomlinson Says One Direction Has Grown Closer After Liam Payne’s Death, Previews New Album and Netflix Doc

His Billboard cover interview focuses on grief-forged closeness as he nears the Jan. 23 release of How Did I Get Here?

Overview

  • Tomlinson says the four remaining members feel closer since Payne’s 2024 death, though busy lives make it hard to stay consistently connected.
  • He says he will "never really accept" Payne’s loss, noting the band’s public reunion at the November 2024 funeral.
  • His third solo album, How Did I Get Here?, is scheduled for release on Jan. 23 as promotion ramps up.
  • A three-part Netflix docuseries with Zayn Malik, based on their 2025 U.S. road trip, is confirmed to debut later in 2026.
  • Addressing industry shifts, he acknowledges BTS surpassed several One Direction records and says he doesn’t begrudge their success.