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The Wild Way Katy Perry Helped Niall Horan Get Famous: "She Saved My Ass"
"Luck was on my side," Horan told InStyle. Watch The Voice Mondays on NBC.
Niall Horan's career has come full-circle in the past decade. The world first got introduced to him when he was a Contestant on the U.K. talent competition show The X Factor in 2010. Fast-forward 13 years later, and Horan is on the other side of the stage as a Coach on The Voice.
In a recent interview with InStyle, Horan was asked if his coaching experience on The Voice has changed the way he sees his own X Factor Audition. His answer was interesting — and illuminated the fact that a certain pop icon helped launch his career.
“I definitely wouldn't turn for me, if that's what you're asking,” Horan told the outlet. “I was probably a year or two early, but then, luck was on my side. I was in the right place at the right time with the right people, and Katy Perry saved my ass and the rest is history."
For reference, Horan auditioned for The X Factor when he was only 16 years old. When he first came on stage, he said he had plans to sell out stadiums around the world one day.
When it was time for feedback, Perry described him as "adorable" and noted that he had "charisma." However, she said that he still needed to put some more work in. Judge Simon Cowell also noted his likability but also said he wished Horan were a little more prepared. Meanwhile, Cheryl Cole pointed out Horan's nerves during his performance and elected not to move him to the next round.
Horan got his first "yes" from Judge Louis Walsh, followed immediately by Cowell. But since Cole voted "no," that meant it was ultimately up to Katy Perry to decide whether or not the world would get to see more of Horan. Although she was on the fence at first, some encouragement from the live audience pushed her in the right direction.
"Of course. You're in," Perry said after pausing to think. And the crowd went wild.
Of course, we all know what happened next. Horan went on to become a part of the blockbuster boy band One Direction. He then pursued a solo career (he's releasing new music this summer). And since March, he's been crushing it as a Coach on Season 23 of The Voice.
Which, by the way, you can watch on NBC Mondays at 8/7c and next day on Peacock
