Harry Styles has well and truly cemented his status as a global pop icon as he continues to dominate the charts with his music.
However, with the singer now one of the biggest artists in the world, it poses a challenge for his former One Direction bandmates, Niall Horan, 32, Louis Tomlinson, 34, and Zayn Malik, 33, to catch up to his success.
Within a month of Harry, 32, launching his huge comeback with an epic new album and upcoming tour, the solo artists also announced new music and tour dates.
Louis and Zayn are even believed to reunite for their brand new upcoming Netflix series.
Hopeful fans have begged the boys for a reunion seeing as the former group are all producing music at the same time.
But it will mean Harry having to lose his single spotlight and go back to sharing the stage with his ex bandmates.
Not to mention a huge part of the band would be missing from a comeback tour, following the death of their bandmate Liam Payne.
It was reported that the four surviving members of the band were asked to reunite at the 2025 BRIT Awards as a tribute to Liam, but the answer was an emphatic 'no'.
Instead, Harry graced the stage solo to perform his new song Aperture.
So the solo race to steal Grammy winner Harry's crown continues - but will anyone be able to catch up to his success?
Harry Styles, 32, has well and truly cemented his status as a global pop icon as he continues to outperform the charts with his music
It poses a challenge for his former One Direction bandmates, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik to catch up to his success (pictured with late bandmate Liam Payne in 2012)
Niall is the latest bandmate to try and topple Harry with his latest single release, Dinner Party.
Confirming its release last Thursday, Niall wrote on Instagram: 'This song is about a really happy and big moment in my life. An evening at a simple dinner party that changed the course of my life.
'After writing the song, the words 'dinner party' became the nucleus for the rest of the record. That once in a lifetime moment that i am grateful for and for everything that came after that night [sic].'
Niall has followed Zayn and Louis’ hope at climbing the charts after they dropped a new track in the same week as Harry back in January.
Zayn announced his fifth studio album named KONNAKOL last month - releasing April 17 - and thrilled fans with a 31-date worldwide tour.
It was a milestone step for Zayn, who cancelled previous live dates due to 'extreme anxiety'.
The tour kicks off on May 12, 2026 at Manchester's AO Arena, with Zayn making stops in Glasgow and Birmingham before rounding off his only European shows this year with a show at London's The O2 on Saturday 23rd May ahead of the UK Spring Bank Holiday.
Zayn will also perform dates in Los Angeles, Mexico City, São Paulo, and more before concluding on Friday 20th November in Miami, FL at Kaseya Center.
Meanwhile, Louis dropped his album How did I Get Here? at the same time Harry released his single Aperture.
Taking to X ahead of the release, Louis appeared to be aware of the conundrum and asked his 28.8million X followers for their ‘help cutting through the noise’.
He penned: ‘Going to need your help over the next few days to cut through the noise. Time to give this record the moment it deserves!’
Yet fans then took to the comments to ask the Lemonade singer if he was ‘throwing shade’ at his former bandmate Harry.
They wrote: ‘’cut through the noise’ why do I feel like this is harry shade?; Is he trying to shade... Harry?; Oh Harry Styles when I catch you’.
Louis hasn’t responded to accusations of making a dig at the Watermelon Sugar singer but did post a ‘thank you’ to those who had supported him.
He penned: ‘Let me take this moment to say thank you to every single person that has supported me over the years. You are throughout this record and everything I do.
‘This album would never have sounded the way it does without all the power and confidence you lot have given me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! How did I get here?’
One source previously told the Daily Mail that there is 'no way' the band would get back on stage, even before Liam's death.
Zayn, Louis and Niall are said to be on equable enough terms - but real tensions exist with Harry.
And deep down, one bone of contention between them must be his solo success.
Within a month of Harry launching his huge comeback with an epic new album and upcoming tour, the solo artists also announced new music and tour dates
Niall is the latest bandmate to try and topple Harry with his latest single release Dinner Party
Of the band, which found fame on the 2010 series of the X Factor, Harry has made the most money - he has an estimated £225million fortune - has worked the media most adeptly, and has had the most commercial success.
This year sees his Together, Together tour, which starts in Amsterdam in May and boasts an unprecedented six nights at London's Wembley Stadium.
Proving just how hard he will be to beat, Harry's Wembley residency is reported to generate £200 million for London.
The singer's 12-night residency will see fans splash out on ticket sales, travel, and accommodation.
Harry has secured the fastest selling album from a male solo artist in almost a decade as his career rockets further after he dropped his new record, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.
The singer released his fourth studio album this month and it stormed straight to Number 1 on the Official Album Charts, with single American Girls taking the top spot on the Singles Chart.
Harry had the biggest opening week for a male solo artist in almost a decade, since Ed Sheeran's ÷ (Divide) in 2017.
According to Official Charts Company data, Harry's new album sold in excess of 183,000 copies in its first seven days, 70,000 more copies than his 2022 record Harry's House.
The record has also topped the Official Vinyl Albums Chart and nets Harry the biggest opening week on vinyl of his career, with over 66,000 sleeves sold in the past seven days; smashing his previous 36,000 best with Harry's House.
The huge vinyl sales also means the former One Direction star has secured the biggest selling vinyl of 2026 so far.
Louis and Zayn's relationship has seemingly turned sour after the pair were involved in a 'physical altercation' during filming for their upcoming Netflix series.
The former One Direction bandmates are believed to have 'fallen out' after they reunited for a brand new road trip show, according to The Sun.
It is reported that the pair were involved in a physical disagreement following a day of filming.
Niall has followed Zayn and Louis’ hope at climbing the charts after they dropped a new track in the same week as Harry back in January.
Fans accused Louis of 'throwing shade' at Harry after he released music on the same day as the icon.
It was previously reported that Zayn and Louis had signed a multi-million pound deal to travel the US, discuss their lives and reflect on memories from their days in the band.
Sources close to the production revealed the pair were likely to discuss the tragic death of their friend and bandmate Liam Payne.
An insider previously told The Sun: 'This will be an absolutely huge show for Netflix and is guaranteed to whip 1D's global army of fans into a frenzy.
'Although the idea of British boyband members doing a show about travelling across America sounds random, most of them now have strong links Stateside.
'And it's likely to be a chance for some serious soul-searching and deep discussions about the incredible journey the group have already been on since they were formed on The X Factor 15 years ago.'
Zayn has lived in America permanently since 2018, while Louis devotes a large part of his time there thanks to his nine-year-old son with stylist Briana Jungwirth.
Earlier this year Zayn gave a shoutout to Louis after he attended his Los Angeles concert at the Shrine Exposition Hall.
His relationship with his old bandmates became strained when he quit the band in March 2015.