The Truth About Harry Styles' Accent
Pop sensation Harry Styles first burst on to the music scenes as one-fifth of the biggest boy band to debut in 2010 (via Britannica). Over five years, Styles recorded five studio albums with One Direction and helped sell over 50 million records worldwide (via Capital FM). Since One Direction announced they were going on a hiatus in 2015, Styles has embarked on a wildly successful solo career (via Heart).
In 2017, the British singer released his self-titled debut solo album and received positive reviews from both critics and fans around the globe. Two years later, Styles dropped his chart-topping sophomore album "Fine Line" (via Billboard). The critically acclaimed album featured many hits, but the record's fourth track — "Watermelon Sugar" — has easily become Styles' most successful song. At this year's BRIT Awards, Styles took home the British Single of the Year award for the breakout hit (via Brits). As excited as fans were to watch the star take home the top prize, many of them were confused by his acceptance speech (via Us Weekly).
Harry Styles has been spending a lot more time in the U.S.
While giving his acceptance speech at the BRIT Awards, Harry Styles appeared to have lost his signature British accent. While at the podium, the "Sweet Creature" singer thanked fans for the honor (via Us Weekly). He said, "I want to thank my fans for being so generous to me always, and everyone in my life who has my back. Thank you so much, I love you. And all of you around there, thank you so much for everything you did for this country in the last year. We love you so much and this one's for you." As sweet as Styles' speech was, fans were distracted by what they perceived to be an American accent.
Styles was born in Redditch in Worcestershire but raised in Cheshire, (via Independent), and spent most of his young life in the United Kingdom. However, since rising to international stardom, Styles has increasingly spent more time in the States. The singer was recently there filming "Don't Worry Darling" (which girlfriend Olivia Wilde is directing), and fans are speculating that a dialect coach may be behind his changing accent (via Us Weekly). Other fans are worried Styles may have tried to sound American on purpose. Regardless of the reason behind the change, many fans are not happy about it, as one tweeted, "Harry Styles losing his accent is tragic if he starts sounding any more American I'm taking his poster off my wall."