Irish Singer Captures Student Journalist's Attention

A Campbell Middle School 7th grader wanted to share her admiration for the accomplishments and talents of this rising young Irish star. She wrote this review as part of the journalism apprenticeship at the Citizen Schools program last semester.

The Irish Man's Story

by Arielle

    Niall James Horan (pronounced Ny-uhll James Hore-in) was born in Mullingar, Westmeath, Ireland, in Derby County, on September 13, 1993. He has been singing his whole life, and has always loved music. He also grew up loving to sing since he heard his dad sing and play the guitar. His parents, Muara and Bobby, divorced when he was very young, leaving Niall to live with his father, Bobby, and his older brother Greg.

    Niall recalls in a biography, “I always tried to be the big man and hang out with his friends, and it made him mad.” He also remembers him and Greg fighting about something or other, but now they are like best friends.

    One day, when Bobby, Niall’s father, was driving himself and Niall home, a Michael Buble song was playing on the car radio, and little Niall started to sing. It was Niall’s very first time singing, and Bobby heard him, and knew he was going to be a singer when he grew up. When Niall was growing up, his aunt took care of him at times, and she always said to Niall that he was going to become famous. And she was right about that, Niall is now famous world-wide, in a British-Irish boy-band, popularly known as One Direction.

    Niall also auditioned for The X Factor, in the year 2010. His audition song was “So Crazy” by Ne-yo. During X Factor, Niall met Harry Styles (pronounced Hair-ie Sty-uhlls), Louis Tomlinson (pronounced Louie Tom-lynn-sin), Zayn Malik (pronounced Zain Mal-ick), and also Liam Payne (pronounced Lee-um Pain). They all lost as individuals, but Simon Cowell put them together as a band called One Direction, and they continued to the show’s  Boot Camp finals. One Direction came in second place to a girl named Mary. The next morning, Simon met them in a room. He told them that he was signing them to Sony Music.

    The boys then recorded their first album, Up All Night, and promoted it by going on a European Tour. They met fans all across the world, and also signed autographs for their new fans, and took billions of pictures with them.

    Their catchy song, “What Makes You Beautiful”, was officially played for the very first time on a radio station. “What Makes You Beautiful” was an instant hit when it hit the stores. They had their Up All Night tour, and had concerts across the globe. One Direction became more and more popular when more people found out about them and their music.

    For his love of music, the guitar, determination to win in X Factor, and also a gift for singing, Niall Horan inspires me a lot, because I also love to sing and love music. Niall is also my idol because he is amazing. Also, his voice is strong and angelic, his way of “making friends out of strangers” is fantastic, and him always being ready to “lend an ear” for someone is absolutely great.