Harry Styles: the safety net for some students

PHOTO: Davis High students say Harry Styles is a source of comfort when they are feeling down. (Courtesy Photo: Leela Ghassemi)

By Ella Shorts,

BlueDevilHUB.com Staff–

Somewhere between the thousands of screaming fans, all dressed up and holding glitter filled signs, stood junior Leela Ghassemi and sophomore Lucy Ligday. Across the room, lost in the crowd, were juniors Maya McClain and Evelyn Soller. All four were at the Golden 1 Center on Nov. 10 for one reason and one reason only: to see Harry Styles. 

Over quarantine, Soller and McClain discovered their shared passion for the singer. McClain was a One Direction fan back when the band was together. “Harry was never my favorite though, it was always Niall,” McClain said.

They both said they really started to get into him when “Fine Line” was released. His music was what first drew them into him. Now they say they like him for his personality as well. “He just has good character,” Soller said. 

Ligday started to like the former One Direction member during quarantine as well. “I used to listen to One Direction when I was young, but I started getting into only Harry about two years ago,” Ligday said.

Her favorite thing about him is how much joy he brings to people. She loves the positivity and kindness he spreads. “He makes everyone instantly happy and he’s overall a great human,” Ligday said.

At his concert, Soller and McClain admired outfits and posters that were made by surrounding fans. “Everyone was so excited and so dressed up,” Soller said. The two girls both said that they’re favorite part of the whole show was the atmosphere and community.

Another thing many fans admire about Styles is his ability to connect with his fans. During the show he was talking and interacting with fans in the audience. “He was super funny and joked around with us like we were his friends,” Ligday said. 

Ghassemi stumbled upon Styles’s music during quarantine out of boredom, but she wishes she had known of him sooner. She instantly fell in love with his music and enjoyed it even more live. “It was a once in a lifetime experience that I’ll forever be grateful for,” Ghassemi said.

Many of his fans admire his ability to connect with them through his lyrics. Ligday’s favorite song has always been “Fine Line” because she loves the lyrics and it’s meaningful to her. 

Both Ghassemi and Ligday listen to his music when they’re feeling down to lift them up through lyrics they can relate to. “I can say with certainty that he’s made me a happier person. His music really helped me cope with my emotions and his personality has inspired me to be a better person,” Ghassemi said.

Ghassemi’s mother, Jennifer Ghassemi, has a lot of respect for the artist. She respects him both from a musical and style perspective. She also sees him as a good role model for her daughter. “He is an amazing human being and leads by example through the way he treats other people respectfully,” she said.