Niall Horan Almost Didn't Get In 'The X Factor'; 'If It Wasn't For Katy Perry!'

Niall Horan is feeling quite nostalgic these days.

In an ironic twist of fate, while promoting his recently released single "Heaven" at James Corden's "Late Late Show," Horan was seated right next to the partner of the person responsible for his success in "The X Factor," Orlando Bloom.

Corden showed a clip of a young Horan standing on the "The X Factor" stage as the judges-Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Louis Walsh, and Katy Perry-deliberated his standing in the competition.

The singer performed Ne-Yo's "So Sick," which earned him a rejection from Cole, and a "yes" from Cowell; at the end, it was Perry's decision that saved him from getting eliminated.

"Is that the moment that really changed your whole thing?" Bloom asked, to which Horan simply replied, "My audition was going very south, Orlando."

"Katy just kept me in the competition. If it wasn't for her I definitely would not be here and she knows it."

Horan also revealed that he still thanks Perry to this day, "Little did I know what was to come afterward, but if it wasn't for Katy ... When we see each other, still, we have an embrace."

Niall Horan's Career

The "Heaven" singer auditioned on "The X Factor" back in 2010, where he was famously grouped with four other contestants-Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, and Liam Payne.

They became One Direction, one of the biggest boy groups in the world.

This is show 1,167... you have been, when you were in the band and now as a solo artist... the times that we've spent with you here, you are such a part of the family," Corden said.

Horan also felt emotional, and reflected on how far he's come from his audition, "Dude, you boys changed pop culture forever and you're two very close friends of mine and I love you both," referring to Ben Winston.

After hearing the sweet exchange and story behind Horan's success in his music career, Bloom was seen grinning from ear to ear, knowing his fiance had a hand in it all along.

Elsewhere in the interview, Horan promoted his upcoming album, "The Show," which is expected to drop in Jun. 9.

He shared the exciting news via Instagram: "This album is a piece of work I'm so proud of and now it's time to pass it over to you to go and make it your own."

Tags

Niall Horan, The X Factor, Katy Perry