For the past year, I've been researching and writing about One Direction nearly every day. I'm not a Directioner and I don't run a 1D-themed Twitter or Tumblr -- I'm an intern at HuffPost Teen, and before that, at Seventeen magazine, and it's quite literally in my job description to know as much as I can about the band. After writing such hard-hitting news stories like "The Ultimate Guide to One Direction's Tattoos" and "One Direction and the Fierce Five: Our Completely Imaginary Dream Couples," I thought I knew everything there was to know about 1D.
Oh, how wrong I was. Last night, I went to One Direction's concert at Madison Square Garden in New York to live-tweet for Huff Post Teen. Here's what I learned about the band:
1. They are really good-looking. You might think this would be obvious... but no. I used to laugh when Directioners called them the five most beautiful boys on the planet, but it really is true. Louis's hair is perfectly windswept. Harry's dimples are sculpted like a Greek god's. Zayn's eyelashes are naturally thick and luscious -- the kind of lashes girls fork over cash for at Sephora but will never achieve. And all five of them have mastered that boyish, flirtatious, "I know this will look awesome on the big screen" grin. Simply put, Zoolander has nothing on them.
2. They're growing up. Two years ago, the five boys auditioned separately for "X Factor UK." They were often nervous, giggly, and scattered. Last night, they took the stage confidently, repeatedly thanked their fans for making it the best night of their lives, and truly earned the honor of performing at New York's legendary arena. Harry even caught a bra on stage with ease and nonchalance -- he's no longer the skittish 16-year-old kid who shot to fame.
3. So. Many. Feels. I saw girls falling to the floor in fits of hysteric tears when they received their official tickets. I thought, "Sure, this is exciting, but come on." The girls proved me wrong. Between the music, the ethereal lights and the vivacious performance, One Direction had me jumping up and down and shrieking from the moment they took the stage. I have such a crush.
The concert was the most incredible way to cap off a year of following the band's every move. Thank you, One Direction! Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go listen to "Take Me Home" on repeat again...