The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett Louis Tomlinson: "The Room Was Cold That Day". When The Police Knocked... I Just Knew
Oct 9, 2025
01:58:07
Louis Tomlinson, former member of One Direction - one of the most successful and era-defining bands in history, opens up about X Factor fame, the band’s split, the loss of Liam Payne, fatherhood, grief, and life after global superstardom for the first time, revealing the highs and lows that defined his journey.
As a solo artist, Louis has released two chart-topping albums, amassed over 4.5 billion streams, and recently dropped his new single “Lemonade” ahead of his upcoming album “How Did I Get Here?”. Beyond music, he’s carved his own path as the founder of the self-curated Away From Home Festival and the unisex streetwear label 28 Clothing.
In this powerful, candid conversation, he reveals:
◼️How he finds strength through loss, following the deaths of his mother, younger sister, and former bandmate, Liam Payne.
◼️How he rebuilt his self-worth after feeling like he wasn’t good enough
◼️Why a promise to his mother still drives everything he does today
◼️Why becoming a father changed how he sees life, pressure, and legacy
◼️His journey re-defining success and identity after reaching the pinnacle of the music industry.
◼️His upcoming album, 'How Did I Get Here', and his newfound happiness as inspiration.
(00:00) Intro
(03:40) Your Mother's Role in Your Life
(04:27) Louis' Siblings
(05:21) Do You Think Fame Changed You?
(11:29) Boot Camp
(13:16) Reflecting on One Direction
(17:44) Having the Confidence to Push Back Against the Record Label
(26:29) Relationship With Alcohol
(28:12) What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self?
(29:42) Feeling Like the Weak Link in the Band
(33:23) Solo Record Label After the Band Split Up
(34:34) The Impact of Your Success on Your Family
(37:46) Zayn's Decision to Leave the Band
(41:41) Grieving the End of One Direction
(42:28) The Meeting That Ended the Band
(45:10) Career Decline After One Direction
(48:01) Dealing With Comparing the Past to Now
(54:09) Ads
(56:11) Balancing Career and Personal Life
(57:22) Your Mother's Death
(59:40) Finding Out Your Mum Was Sick
(1:02:38) Going on Stage After Your Mum’s Death
(1:06:45) Advice for People With Grief
(1:09:15) Experience With Anxiety
(1:10:47) Remembering Louis’ Sister
(1:11:18) Moving Through Grief
(1:18:31) Felicite's Struggles
(1:20:42) Why He Doesn't Speak About These Tragedies Often
(1:25:38) Your Relationship With Liam Payne
(1:29:41) Liam's Death
(1:39:43) Challenge With Having Children When Famous
(1:44:08) Ads
(1:45:16) Louis’ New Music
(1:47:46) How Much Does Love Come Into Your Album?
(1:50:01) Where Are You on Your Journey of Happiness?
Follow Louis:
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3KG2uDG
X - https://bit.ly/435ovlC
Facebook - https://bit.ly/47aMx14
TikTok - https://bit.ly/48lj1qu
YouTube - https://bit.ly/4q0bh3q
You can listen to Louis’ new music, here:
Lemonade Out Now - https://bit.ly/3KWsBX0
How Did I Get Here? - Album out 23rd January - https://bit.ly/3WpcAeH
US + EU + UK Tour - On sale Friday 10th October - https://bit.ly/4o9psSd
The Diary Of A CEO:
◼️Join DOAC circle here - https://doaccircle.com/
◼️Buy The Diary Of A CEO book here - https://smarturl.it/DOACbook
◼️The 1% Diary is back - limited time only: https://bit.ly/3YFbJbt
◼️The Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards (Second Edition): https://g2ul0.app.link/f31dsUttKKb
◼️Get email updates - https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt
◼️Follow Steven - https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb
Sponsors:
1Password - Find out more at https://1password.com/doac
SimpliSafe - https://simplisafe.com/DOAC to save 50% on a SimpliSafe home security system.
Adobe Express - http://ADOBE.LY/STEVEN
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theexperienceplus.substack.com
As a solo artist, Louis has released two chart-topping albums, amassed over 4.5 billion streams, and recently dropped his new single “Lemonade” ahead of his upcoming album “How Did I Get Here?”. Beyond music, he’s carved his own path as the founder of the self-curated Away From Home Festival and the unisex streetwear label 28 Clothing.
In this powerful, candid conversation, he reveals:
◼️How he finds strength through loss, following the deaths of his mother, younger sister, and former bandmate, Liam Payne.
◼️How he rebuilt his self-worth after feeling like he wasn’t good enough
◼️Why a promise to his mother still drives everything he does today
◼️Why becoming a father changed how he sees life, pressure, and legacy
◼️His journey re-defining success and identity after reaching the pinnacle of the music industry.
◼️His upcoming album, 'How Did I Get Here', and his newfound happiness as inspiration.
(00:00) Intro
(03:40) Your Mother's Role in Your Life
(04:27) Louis' Siblings
(05:21) Do You Think Fame Changed You?
(11:29) Boot Camp
(13:16) Reflecting on One Direction
(17:44) Having the Confidence to Push Back Against the Record Label
(26:29) Relationship With Alcohol
(28:12) What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self?
(29:42) Feeling Like the Weak Link in the Band
(33:23) Solo Record Label After the Band Split Up
(34:34) The Impact of Your Success on Your Family
(37:46) Zayn's Decision to Leave the Band
(41:41) Grieving the End of One Direction
(42:28) The Meeting That Ended the Band
(45:10) Career Decline After One Direction
(48:01) Dealing With Comparing the Past to Now
(54:09) Ads
(56:11) Balancing Career and Personal Life
(57:22) Your Mother's Death
(59:40) Finding Out Your Mum Was Sick
(1:02:38) Going on Stage After Your Mum’s Death
(1:06:45) Advice for People With Grief
(1:09:15) Experience With Anxiety
(1:10:47) Remembering Louis’ Sister
(1:11:18) Moving Through Grief
(1:18:31) Felicite's Struggles
(1:20:42) Why He Doesn't Speak About These Tragedies Often
(1:25:38) Your Relationship With Liam Payne
(1:29:41) Liam's Death
(1:39:43) Challenge With Having Children When Famous
(1:44:08) Ads
(1:45:16) Louis’ New Music
(1:47:46) How Much Does Love Come Into Your Album?
(1:50:01) Where Are You on Your Journey of Happiness?
Follow Louis:
Instagram - https://bit.ly/3KG2uDG
X - https://bit.ly/435ovlC
Facebook - https://bit.ly/47aMx14
TikTok - https://bit.ly/48lj1qu
YouTube - https://bit.ly/4q0bh3q
You can listen to Louis’ new music, here:
Lemonade Out Now - https://bit.ly/3KWsBX0
How Did I Get Here? - Album out 23rd January - https://bit.ly/3WpcAeH
US + EU + UK Tour - On sale Friday 10th October - https://bit.ly/4o9psSd
The Diary Of A CEO:
◼️Join DOAC circle here - https://doaccircle.com/
◼️Buy The Diary Of A CEO book here - https://smarturl.it/DOACbook
◼️The 1% Diary is back - limited time only: https://bit.ly/3YFbJbt
◼️The Diary Of A CEO Conversation Cards (Second Edition): https://g2ul0.app.link/f31dsUttKKb
◼️Get email updates - https://bit.ly/diary-of-a-ceo-yt
◼️Follow Steven - https://g2ul0.app.link/gnGqL4IsKKb
Sponsors:
1Password - Find out more at https://1password.com/doac
SimpliSafe - https://simplisafe.com/DOAC to save 50% on a SimpliSafe home security system.
Adobe Express - http://ADOBE.LY/STEVEN
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theexperienceplus.substack.com