Niall Horan: Everything You Need To Know About the Defending Champion of 'The Voice'

While just in his second year as a coach on The Voice, Niall Horan has already made a huge impression on fans of the singing competition. In his debut season, Horan became the champion coach, winning with contestant Gina Miles. And he's no longer the new kid on the block, as country legend Reba McEntire made her debut as a coach when the series premiered in September. Horan's dynamic with the other coaches has already led to some funny moments, and it's clear that the singer-songwriter and former One Direction member is out to win yet again.

This time around, Horan is joined by John Legend, Gwen Stefani and McEntire.

Niall was born and raised in Ireland. At just 29, he's toured the world as part of boy band One Direction and signed a recording deal as a solo artist with Capitol Records, releasing two albums. He's intimately familiar with singing competitions, having competed on The X Factor in the seventh series in Dublin. He's had time to grow and knows what it takes to compete. He's also already proved that he's able to spot up-and-coming artists — as Simon Cowell spotted him.

Here's everything you need to know about one of the newest coaches to star on The Voice.

A Rising Star

Niall grew up in Mullingar, Ireland, where he attended St. Kenny National School. There, he spent much of his time in choir and appeared in school plays. He began playing guitar at the age of 13 and quickly developed a passion for music. He then attended Coláiste Mhuire, a Catholic boys school in Mullingar, where he performed at school talent shows and local events.

He also took part in several music competitions and festivals, honing his skills and gaining experience as a performer. In addition to music, Niall was also a sports enthusiast and played soccer for his school's team. After performing in small roles and prepping for a career in entertainment as a teen, Horan auditioned for the seventh series of The X Factor in Dublin at just 16. That's when his life would change forever.

Big-Time Boy Band

Niall went ahead and competed on The X Factor and won the hearts of viewers with his rendition of "So Sick" by Ne-Yo. However, he did not make it through to the live shows as a solo artist. Instead, he was paired with four other contestants: Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik. Together, the contestants became a group called One Direction, a boy band with a name selected by Styles.

For two weeks, One Direction got to know each other over the course of The X Factor. They were mentored by Cowell and finished in third place in the final round of the competition. However, their success did not end there. After the show, they were signed to Syco Music, Cowell's record label, and began working on their debut album Up All Night. When their debut album was released in 2011, it became the fastest-selling debut album in the UK at the time, signaling a giant success for Horan and his bandmates.

It's no secret that One Direction's (and Horan's) success on The X Factor helped establish the group that Cowell brought together as one of the most popular and successful boy bands in the world. They went on to release five studio albums, embark on several world tours and sold millions of albums. Their time on The X Factor played a significant role in launching their career and introducing them to a global audience, but all good things must eventually come to an end.

After One Direction

Eventually, One Direction went on hiatus in 2015 as the members began working on their own projects. Horan also began pursuing a solo career in music. He signed a solo recording contract with Capitol Records in 2016 and released his debut single "This Town" in September of that year. The single was a commercial success, reaching the top 20 in several countries and being certified Platinum in several.

In 2017, Niall released his debut album Flicker to positive reviews. It reached the top of the charts in several countries, and the album spawned hit singles including "Slow Hands," "Too Much To Ask" and "On The Loose."

In addition to his music career, Horan has also been involved in several other ventures. He has made appearances on television shows including The Ellen DeGeneres Show and The Late Late Show with James Corden. He's also worked with a variety of charities such as UNICEF to improve the lives of children in developing countries. And beyond music, Horan is a big golf fan and has played in several pro-am tournaments.

Niall on The Voice

It was announced in 2022 that Niall would join the cast of The Voice. Though he's toured the world as part of One Direction, The Voice was the first major reality show he's appeared on, aside from X Factor and his previous documentary-style show Homecoming: The Road To Mullingar.

"I'm excited to be joining this season of The Voice as a coach," Horan said in 2022. "I'm looking forward to meeting and mentoring the new crop of talent while we battle it out with the other teams!"

Ahead of his return to the series for Season 24, Horan reflected on the departure of Blake Shelton, whom he clearly grew close with during his first season on the show.

"Blake, he's like a dad to me," Horan told NBC Insider. "Y'know, he's really helped me during the show. I've really enjoyed his company, and watching him has been a real honor. ... It's been amazing to work with him and Kelly Clarkson. Meeting them for the first time, the bond that I've grown with them has been amazing. It's been so funny to dive into that Southern sense of humor with them and see the stuff that goes on behind the scenes. It's been hilarious."

You can be a part of #TeamNiall and watch the rest of the members of The Voice's cast each Monday and Tuesday on NBC.

READ MORE: 'The Voice': A Look at Every Coach That Has Appeared on the Show