Louis Tomlinson

Louis William Tomlinson (born Louis Troy Austin, 24 December 1991) is an English singer-songwriter, record producer, and philanthropist. Rising to global prominence as a member of the record-breaking British–Irish group One Direction, he has gone on to establish a critically respected solo career distinguished by incisive lyricism and a sound rooted in indie pop, Britpop, and indie rock.

Born and raised in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, Tomlinson took his stepfather’s surname during childhood and later adopted it legally. He developed an early interest in performance, appearing in school productions and taking small acting roles in series such as Fat Friends, If I Had You and Waterloo Road. Following secondary school, he worked several part-time jobs while nurturing his ambition to pursue music.

Tomlinson first auditioned for The X Factor in 2009 and returned in 2010, where he was placed into a newly formed group with Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Harry Styles. The band, soon known as One Direction, finished third in the competition but rapidly became one of the most commercially successful pop groups in history. Across five UK No. 1 albums, four world tours and more than 70 million records sold, One Direction achieved unprecedented global reach, with their rise frequently compared to the cultural impact of the Beatles’ era. The group announced a hiatus in 2016.

Tomlinson embarked on his solo career with “Just Hold On” (2016), a collaboration with Steve Aoki that debuted at No. 2 on the UK Singles Chart. Subsequent singles, including “Back to You” featuring Bebe Rexha and “Miss You”, further established his presence as a solo artist. In 2017 he appeared on Debrett’s 500 list of the most influential people in the UK and later served as a judge and mentor on The X Factor in 2018, guiding Dalton Harris to victory.

His debut solo album, Walls (2020), entered the UK Albums Chart at No. 4 and the US Billboard 200 at No. 9, marking Arista Records’ first top-ten album in nearly a decade. His second album, Faith in the Future (2022), debuted at No. 1 in the UK and No. 5 in the US, earning praise for its confidence, live-centred production, and expanded sonic palette. The accompanying Faith in the Future World Tour (2023–24) was met with critical acclaim, culminating in a nomination for Best Live Act at the inaugural Rolling Stone UK Awards.

In 2023, Tomlinson released his documentary film All of Those Voices, charting his evolution from global boyband member to independent artist. It received positive critical reception and later premiered on Paramount+. In April 2024 he issued Live, a surprise album featuring recordings from fifteen concerts across his world tours. His third studio album, How Did I Get Here?, is scheduled for release in January 2026, preceded by the single “Lemonade” (2025).

Beyond his studio work, Tomlinson founded and curates the Away From Home Festival, an indie music festival launched in 2021 that has since expanded internationally, with editions in the UK, Spain, Italy, Mexico and the United States. In 2023 he also launched his streetwear brand, 28, inspired by his lifelong love of fashion and incorporating the White Rose of York as a nod to his heritage.

Tomlinson has written extensively across his career, holding the highest number of songwriting credits within One Direction’s catalogue. His influences include Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, Robbie Williams, and Sam Fender, and his solo releases have drawn recognition for their emotive storytelling and grounded, distinctly British sensibility.

A committed philanthropist, Tomlinson has supported numerous charities since 2010, including Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, War Child UK, UNICEF (via Soccer Aid), and various causes aided through his record-breaking 2020 livestream concert. He has also participated in multiple charity football matches, played for Doncaster Rovers’ reserve side, and remains closely connected to his hometown community.

Tomlinson is the father of one son, Freddie, born in 2016. He currently resides in London.