In a surprising and humorous revelation, Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall recently shared the story of a teenage date she went on with Harry Styles during an appearance on Louis Theroux’s podcast. The encounter took place when both were contestants on The X Factor, with Thirlwall just beginning her journey with Little Mix and Styles finding his footing as part of One Direction.

Thirlwall recounted how they hit it off and even went out for a meal, keeping in touch for a short while afterward. However, things changed dramatically once One Direction began to gain traction on the show. Thirlwall humorously noted that after the band made it to the live shows, Styles suddenly stopped replying to her messages. “The minute they went on live shows, he didn’t message me back,” she said, adding with a laugh, “I thought, ‘That’s it now. He’s gone. He’s made it.’”

Despite the disappointment of being ghosted, Thirlwall took the situation in stride, especially considering their young ages at the time. She later ran into Styles at an event where One Direction was performing, and he took the opportunity to apologize for his lack of communication. Reflecting on the incident years later, Thirlwall expressed that she held no grudges and appreciated Styles’ kindness during their brief interaction.

“Honestly, I was young; it didn’t really matter,” she remarked. She also praised Styles’ immense talent and charm, affirming that his success was well-deserved.

This lighthearted anecdote has delighted fans of both Little Mix and Harry Styles, offering a glimpse into their intertwined histories as they navigated the early stages of their music careers. It serves as a reminder that even global superstars experience awkward moments in their youth, and it seems both artists have moved on with nothing but respect for one another.