Fans stay up all night to greet 1D at premiere
Thousands of screaming fans, some of whom had camped out overnight, greeted the award-winning group — comprising of 21-year-old Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, 20, and 19-year-olds Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Niall Horan — as they arrived at the Empire cinema in London’s Leicester Square. The film was simultaneously screened in Dublin for hordes of Irish fans.
Emily Gee, 16, of Solihull, West Midlands, camped out overnight while her mother stayed in a nearby hotel. She said the Directioners are similar to a big family.
“I arrived yesterday at 4pm and then I started camping out — I didn’t sleep at all. I’m completely shattered.
“I don’t know how to explain in words how I feel. I’m buzzing — I can’t wait. I like them all equally but I love Niall.”
Spaniard Iraia Landaluze, 18, is visiting London with her family and they joined the queue in Leicester Square. She said: “I have come down as I’m a big fan. I like One Direction as they are normal boys. Liam’s my favourite.”
Of the crowds, she said: “It’s crazy.”
The event was also streamed live online with fans from all over the world keeping track of the boyband’s turn on the red carpet.
“This is unreal,” said Styles.
Horan added: “This is amazing. We’re really excited to be here. We can’t believe we are here.
“This is just unbelievable. The last few years have been amazing. This is what we’ve been dreaming of.”
The 3D film, directed by Super Size Me film-maker Morgan Spurlock, is a behind-the-scenes look at the band as they embarked on their mammoth This Is Us world tour.
Simon Cowell, who signed the boys to his Syco record label, joked that he felt like a proud father.
“I feel like a father,” he said, seemingly referring to reports that he is fathering a child with New York socialite Lauren Silverman.
Styles said the “intimate all-access’ film is a love letter to their fans, known as Directioners.
“We made this for the fans. We just want to say a massive thank you to them.”
Malik, who took time out to pose for photographs with fans, added: “The best thing about our fans is their dedication.”
Cowell — who co-produced the film with the group — said: “It has been my dream come true to produce a film. But without their fans, this couldn’t have happened. They have the best fans in the world.”
X Factor alumni such as Little Mix, JLS, Diana Vickers, and Amelia Lily were joined by the show’s host Dermot O’Leary and Cowell’s right-hand woman Sinitta at the premiere.
Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood also attended the event with wife Sally Humphreys.
“I’m proud of my boyfriend but we’re really proud of all the boys,” said Little Mix’s Perrie Edwards, who is dating Malik.
*One Direction: This Is Us opens in cinemas on Aug 29.
