19.06.2020

STORY OF MY LIKES Dating the One Direction boys made us Instagram stars – now we’re raking in a fortune on social media

  • Miranda Knox

THE One Direction boys have never been short of girlfriends.

But when the relationships ended, the girls’ Instagram careers were just getting started.

The One Direction boys have had their fair share of relationships, some of their exes have enjoyed the ride and took the opportunity to become social media stars
The One Direction boys have had their fair share of relationships, some of their exes have enjoyed the ride and took the opportunity to become social media starsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

For those who weren’t already famous when they started dating a member of the world’s biggest boyband, the connection catapulted them into the limelight and, in some cases, secured them millions of followers on social media.

While some girls enjoyed lengthy relationships with either Liam PayneZayn Malik, Niall HoranHarry Styles or Louis Tomlinson, others dated for just a matter of weeks, so time is no barrier when it comes to finding fame post-1D.

The savviest exes now enjoy the life of an influencer, promoting fashion brands, cosmetic giants and exotic holidays.

Miranda Knox looks at the direction some of the exes’ lives have taken.

Neelam Gill

Neelam Gill dated Zayn Malik and now has over 190,000 Instagram followers
Neelam Gill dated Zayn Malik and now has over 190,000 Instagram followersCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Dated: ZAYN MALIK

Followers: 193,000

Potential earnings per post: £970

The couple dated soon after the end of his engagement to Perrie Edwards
The couple dated soon after the end of his engagement to Perrie EdwardsCredit: Getty – Contributor

Zayn’s supermodel girlfriend Gigi Hadid is expecting their baby soon but before her there were a string of beauties, including Neelam.

The model, now 25, was discovered at 14 and has worked with Burberry, Abercrombie & Fitch and appeared in Vogue and Elle mags.

She was catapulted to fame after being linked to Zayn soon after the end of his engagement to Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards.

Neelam is the face of L’Oreal Paris.

The model, 25, has worked with a number of luxury brands and is now the face of L’Oreal Paris
The model, 25, has worked with a number of luxury brands and is now the face of L’Oreal ParisCredit: Getty Images

Briana Jungwirth

Briana Jungwirth dated Louis Tomlinson and has raked in over half a million followers
Briana Jungwirth dated Louis Tomlinson and has raked in over half a million followers

Dated: LOUIS TOMLINSON

Followers: 527,000

Potential earnings per post: £2,600

The ex-couple had a baby, Freddie Reign, after a short fling in 2015
The ex-couple had a baby, Freddie Reign, after a short fling in 2015Credit: Xposure

Louis gave the world the first 1D baby after a fling with Briana in 2015.

The LA stylist was flung straight into the limelight and her father Joe claimed she found it “tough”.

Her social media accounts are now a mix of bikini photos and cute snaps of the couple’s four-year-old son, Freddie Reign.

Briana, 28, is rumoured to be dating Kim Kardashian’s step-brother Brody Jenner.

Briana, 28, enjoys posting bikini snaps and is rumoured to be dating Brody Jenner
Briana, 28, enjoys posting bikini snaps and is rumoured to be dating Brody Jenner

Danielle Peazer

Danielle Peazer dated Liam Payne and is living the 'Insta-dream' with her 1.1 million followers
Danielle Peazer dated Liam Payne and is living the ‘Insta-dream’ with her 1.1 million followers

Dated: LIAM PAYNE

Followers: 1.1million

Potential earnings per post: £5,500

The couple dated for two years in 2011
The couple dated for two years in 2011Credit: Twitter

Liam shares three-year-old son Bear with ex-girlfriend Cheryl Tweedy, but before he became a dad he had two long-term relationships with two unknowns.

He started dating backing dancer Danielle, 32, in 2011, and since the end of their two-year romance she has become a major fitness influencer, posting daily workout videos to help her million followers get in shape.

She is friends with Zayn’s ex Perrie Edwards.

Danielle is now a major fitness influencer and posts daily workout videos
Danielle is now a major fitness influencer and posts daily workout videos

Sophia Smith

Sophia Smith dated Liam Payne and also has an astonishing 1 million following on Instagram
Sophia Smith dated Liam Payne and also has an astonishing 1 million following on Instagram

Dated: LIAM PAYNE

Followers: 1million

Potential earnings per post: £5,000

The couple dated for two years until 2015, Liam said of Sophia she was his 'childhood crush'
The couple dated for two years until 2015, Liam said of Sophia she was his ‘childhood crush’Credit: Getty – Contributor

The fashion graduate dated Liam for two years before their split in October 2015.

They went to the same school and Liam had described her as his “childhood crush”.

Now Sophia, 26, regularly updates her 1million followers with snaps modelling bikinis and clothes in some of the fanciest hotels around the world for fashion giant Revolve.

She has kept a close friendship with Louis’ current girlfriend Eleanor and his sister Lottie.

Sophia, 26, regularly posts snaps modelling bikinis and clothes while living a luxury lifestyle
Sophia, 26, regularly posts snaps modelling bikinis and clothes while living a luxury lifestyle

Melissa Whitelaw

Melissa Whitelaw dated Niall Horan and regularly updates her 168,000 Instagram followers
Melissa Whitelaw dated Niall Horan and regularly updates her 168,000 Instagram followers

Dated: NIALL HORAN

Followers: 168,000

Potential earnings per post: £850

The couple dated briefly in 2015 while 1D was touring
The couple dated briefly in 2015 while 1D was touringCredit: Splash News

Melissa was briefly linked to Niall in 2015, while the band were touring Down Under.

News of their romance led to her on/off boyfriend Joshua Roberts releasing a statement about his “disappointment”.

Fast-forward five years and Melissa, 27, and personal trainer Joshua are married.

She still follows Louis’ girlfriend Eleanor and Liam’s ex Sophia on Instagram, proving there is still a close link between the 1D girls.

Melissa, 27, and is now married to personal trainer Joshua
Melissa, 27, and is now married to personal trainer JoshuaCredit: Getty Images

Eleanor Calder

Eleanor Calder is dating Louis Tomlinson and gained 3 million followers from the romance
Eleanor Calder is dating Louis Tomlinson and gained 3 million followers from the romance

Dated: LOUIS TOMLINSON

Followers: 3million

Potential earnings per post: £15,100

The couple first met in 2011 and split after four years, but found each other's hearts in 2017
The couple first met in 2011 and split after four years, but found each other’s hearts in 2017Credit: Gotcha Images Ltd

Eleanor was an aspiring model when she was introduced to Louis in 2011.

They split four years later, when Louis went on to date Briana and American actress Danielle Campbell.

In the meantime, beauty Eleanor, 27, forged a career as an influencer.

Since their reconciliation in 2017, Eleanor’s fame has sky-rocketed and she now boasts 3million followers.

The beautiful 27-year-old forged a career as an influencer
The beautiful 27-year-old forged a career as an influencer

Emma Ostilly

Emma Ostilly dated Harry Styles and gained an Instagram following of 33,600
Emma Ostilly dated Harry Styles and gained an Instagram following of 33,600

Dated: HARRY STYLES

Followers: 33,600

Potential earnings per post: £170

The couple dated in 2012, after Emma featured in a 1D music video
The couple dated in 2012, after Emma featured in a 1D music videoCredit: Rex Features
Emma built her modelling career and is now married to an American marine
Emma built her modelling career and is now married to an American marine

Harry is claimed to have dated American Emma in 2012, after the model featured in 1D’s music video for Gotta Be You.

After being pictured kissing him, Emma was hounded by fans and Harry claimed the pair were “just friends”. The publicity certainly didn’t hurt her modelling career or social media following, though.

Emma, 26, married American marine Sean Gallagher in Connecticut last summer.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/11899067/dating-one-direction-instagram-stars-fortune/

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