Harry Styles Says Girlfriend Helped Him Feel Safe in Public

Harry Styles said an outgoing girlfriend helped him become more comfortable spending time in public after he felt unsafe going out during his early years with One Direction. He described walking around London with her as a turning point, saying the experience changed his life and helped him stay connected to the world. Styles recounted the experience in a conversation with Radiohead musician Thom Yorke, published October 8. Yorke recalled seeing Styles walking in Rome in 2024 and said he had wondered where Styles’s security was. Styles replied that public outings had once felt difficult. During his early years in One Direction, Styles said, the band’s hotel experience felt “very locked in.” When he was home, he recalled, it did not feel safe to be outside. He said his girlfriend was outgoing and came to London; rather than remain at home, they walked everywhere. Styles said the outings helped him realize it was fine to be outside and broke what he described as a barrier. Styles did not name the girlfriend or say when the relationship took place. The conversation does not establish whether he was referring to a former partner or another relationship.