See Liam Payne Singled Out as One Direction’s ‘Leader’ by ‘X Factor’ Judges in 2010

Footage of the moment that X Factor U.K. producers informed Liam Payne that they were considering him to join the group that would become One Direction in 2010 shows him keeping his cool while his fellow Directioners bite their nails with excitement. Watching the behind-the-scenes clip, which the show posted two years ago now, it’s clear how Payne, who died unexpectedly on Wednesday, was ready for fame. He even let his cool exterior crack into a smile when Simon Cowell told them that they’d be continuing on to the next stage of the show.

The clip also showed how Cowell and fellow judge Nicole Scherzinger sorted through headshots from several possible One Direction contenders, pointing out who they liked. As they assembled the photos, Scherzinger raved, “They’re the cutest boy band ever … The little girls are gonna love them.” But when they resurfaced Payne’s photo, Cowell exclaimed, “He was the standout audition.”  

Cowell’s instinct originally was to shuffle him into another group, but Scherzinger argued that Payne “would shine” with the other three One Direction members’ photos. “I think that he could actually be the leader,” she said. “He’s the standout.” And with him in place with the other photos, she added, “That [group] looks unbelievable.”

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One Direction made their world debut on the show, singing Coldplay’s “Vida La Vida” on Oct. 9, 2010. True to Scherzinger’s word, Payne was the leader, coming out in the center of the group and singing the first verse. And judging from the screams in the audience, their legend was born immediately.

The group released its debut album, Up All Night, in 2011 and four more before disbanding in 2016. Payne released his debut solo album, LP1, in 2019.