One Direction, The Wanted: What You Didn't See At the Z-100 Jingle Ball

Posted on Dec 8th 2012 10:05AM by Maggie Malach

jingle ball one direction the wanted Theo Wargo, Getty

One Direction's biggest career moment, the one item Ed Sheeran always forgets to pack and the Wanted's stance on being called a "boy band." My first lesson in covering Z100's Jingle Ball on Dec. 7 at Madison Square Garden was that on the red carpet, anything and everything is up for discussion.

The second lesson I learned is that if you blink, you can miss something.

In my case, I blinked and three handsome "somethings" had materialized before my very eyes. More specifically, One Direction's Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan. (And, yes, their hair does look that good in person.)

The boys fielded questions about whether they've visited the One Direction store in New York City ("No, but we've seen it on the way here," Zayn admitted), possible Taylor Swift (who member Harry Styles is dating) collaborations on a future album ("It's a bit early to be talking about our next album, we've only just released our second!" Louis laughed), and what TV show they are into right now ("'Homeland,' love 'Homeland,'" Louis said.)

The group was also still glowing from their headlining performance at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 3. "It was the biggest moment of our career so far," Zayn explained.

One Direction's single "Little Things" is circulating airwaves, but it also happens to be written by a fellow Jingle Ball performer! Ed Sheeran revealed the song, like every one he's written, is about his ex-girlfriend.

"She doesn't know it's about her," he said. Eying the group of journalists in front of him, he added, "But now she does."

Ed also talked about introducing his dad to Paul McCartney, a personal moment he ranks as top for 2012, and how he was too starstruck to correct Elton John when the music legend mispronounced his last name.

While he always keeps his phone around on tour ("I always lose my charger!"), he admitted to perpetually forgetting to pack toothbrushes!

"I probably buy around a toothbrush a day," he said.

The red carpet wouldn't have been complete without the wise-cracking boys behind the Wanted. Tom Parker and Nathan Sykes addressed the band's frequent comparison to One Direction.

"They're one of the biggest selling artists so it can't be a bad thing," they said. "They're a bit younger than us. We appeal to a different audience."

When asked if they embrace the term "boy band," they cheekily responded, "Well, we're not a girl band."

"I guarantee," Nathan promised, "when we got the opportunity to be in a boy band, we all jumped at the chance."

There definitely didn't seem to be any tension among the bands that night, as they took turns sharing the stage in what will definitely be one the of the biggest concerts of the year, and certainly a red carpet to remember!

Watch One Direction's "Live While We're Young" Video

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