EXCLUSIVE: Harry Styles possesses a somewhat rare ability to impress not just his huge army of fans around the world, but the critics and Award judges too

With a trophy cabinet housing Grammy, Brit and Ivor Novello awards, to name a few, Harry has become one of the most decorated music artists of his generation.

Lauren Lunn-Farrow, who’s represented stars such as Sharon Osbourne and McFly and is founder of The Expert Agency, describes him as “the modern David Bowie”, achieving something that has eluded countless others – huge commercial success without “selling out”.

She tells OK!, “He gives us just enough but leaves us always wanting more and with a sense of intrigue which only heightens his global star power.

“We live in a world where pop stars can be one-dimensional but there is depth to Harry that cannot be created by a record label. You cannot create a global star out of someone who quite simply isn’t one.”

Harry Styles has become one of his generation’s most celebrated artists (Image: Getty Images)

Yet when Harry picked up possibly the pinnacle of his haul at last year’s Grammys, beating Lizzo, Adele and Kendrick Lamar to glory and scooping the Album Of The Year accolade, he spoke with the typical modesty that belies his superstar status.

“I don’t think any of us sit in the studio making decisions based on what’s gonna get us one of these,” he said to the star-studded audience at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena. “This is really, really kind… this doesn’t happen to people like me very often and this is so nice. Thank you very much.”

Harry won Album of the Year at the BRIT Awards in 2023 – and was presented his gong by Stanley Tucci (Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

One Direction might have garnered plenty of trophies as a five-piece, but it wasn’t until 2018 that Harry claimed a major music gong just for himself. His debut single, Sign Of The Times , won him his first Brit award for British Artist Video Of The Year, planting him firmly at the forefront of the UK music industry.

The windswept film also claimed Best Music Video at the iHeartRadio Music Awards, and at the same time Harry was awarded Best Cover Song for his version of the Fleetwood Mac classic The Chain .

Harry’s second album, Fine Line , got the recognition his millions of fans felt it deserved in the 2020 awards season, picking up Favourite Pop/Rock Album at the American Music Awards. Earlier that year, Lights Up earned him Best Song at the Global Awards.

Despite the critical success, Lauren says this isn’t what makes Harry tick. “I don’t think he does it for the awards at all – while they are a great stamp of recognition – he reached heights very few artists and bands have reached as part of One Direction so awards and praise are nothing new to him.”

Harry had his first taste of awards success as one-fifth of One Direction (Image: WireImage)

When Harry scooped his first Grammy award in 2021, for Best Pop Solo Performance with the single Watermelon Sugar , he understandably struggled to contain his language. Accepting the award he memorably said, “All of these songs are f**king massive,so thank you so much.”

A few months later, Watermelon Sugar won another sweet victory, claiming British Single at The Brits. At the MTV Video Music Awards, the life-affirming video to Treat People With Kindness gave Harry a win for Best Choreography and Adore You gave Harry his first Ivor Novello award for songwriting.

Harry is known for his gracious acceptance speeches – giving shout-outs to his mum and his fellow nominees (Image: Getty Images for ARIA)

Arguably his biggest gong of 2022 was more unofficial – As It Was , the lead single from his third album, became the most-streamed track on Spotify, racking up a colossal 1.5 billion plays. It was also a critical success, winning Best Pop at the MTV Video Music Awards. It also won Best Cinematography at the ceremony. The MTV Europe Music Awards followed it up with the Best Live Act award.

Similarly, iHeartRadio gave Harry Tour Of The Year for Love On Tour . Over at the Japanese MTV Awards, As It Was ran off with the gong for Best Solo Artist Video – International.

They don’t come much bigger than the Grammys, so when Harry returned in 2023, to claim Album Of The Year for Harry’s House , it was a history-making moment. He scored a double that night, also taking away Best Pop Vocal Album. Then came The Brits, which added Song Of The Year, Artist Of The Year, Album Of The Year and Pop/R&B Act to his already huge collection.

Harry has the somewhat rare ability to impress the critics as well as his fans (Image: Getty Images)

“I want to thank my family for being the most supportive, understanding, patient, loving family I could’ve ever asked for,” he said, before sweetly singling out his mum Anne for “signing me up for The X Factor without telling me”.

With record-breaking music sales, acting credits in major Hollywood movies and awards galore, what’s next for Harry as he enters his fourth decade? According to the experts, anything is possible.

“He appeals to everyone,” explains pop culture commentator Nick Ede. “Whether that be mums, dads, kids and everyone in-between. He is one of those unique stars who can span generations and has such a bright future ahead.”

And The Expert Agency’s Lauren can only heartily agree, saying, “The future is hugely exciting for Harry. I’d expect to see somevery strong acting roles in high-profile films, more music – both as a singer but also as a songwriter – and some directing from him. He’s a true artist and as such doesn’t limit himself to excelling in one arena. The sky really is the limit.”