It’s hard to think of a time when Little Mix and One Direction weren’t part of the pop scene.
But yes, it is true, and it just so happens that both groups – who became famous on The X Factor – are celebrating some big anniversaries at the same time.
Little Mix back in 2011 (Joel Ryan / AP/ PA Images)
First of all, Little Mix are marking five whole years together as a girl group, after being put together on the 2011 series of the ITV talent show.
Jesy Nelson, Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall each entered the competition as solo singers but were fused to create an incredible, hit-making, chart-topping, jaw-dropping four-piece unit.
Wow #5YearsOfLittleMix! 🙊 You've given us the BEST 5 years of our lives! You're the most amazing fans! ❤ the girls xhttps://t.co/thSFbIkHgx
— Little Mix (@LittleMix) August 19, 2016
Five years ago, everything changed for Perrie, Leigh-Anne, Jade and Jesy. #5YearsOfLittleMix pic.twitter.com/b9Z8uW5wVU
— SYCO Entertainment (@syco) August 19, 2016
They celebrated their anniversary with a throwback video on their Twitter page, and fans of the group have shared their feelings over the milestone moment.
Many were crying, many were thrilled, and some just could not believe it.
Looking back at the girls, who were mentored by Tulisa during the eighth season of The X Factor, they haven’t changed all that much, apart from the odd mini-makeover.
I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN FIVE YEARS SINCE MY WORLD WAS CREATED WOW #5YearsOfLittleMix
— mickie loves jesy (@tommoftnelson) August 19, 2016
I'M CRYING 😭 #5YearsOfLittleMix https://t.co/SFEHmBb0b5
— coty ツ (@perrieledeluxe) August 19, 2016
wow I'm crying #5YearsOfLittleMix pic.twitter.com/wm9rKOmAlm
— #5YEARSOFLITTLEMIX (@143LittleMix) August 19, 2016
#5YearsOfLittleMix Don't mind me I'll be in the corner crying with pride 🙈 so proud of the girls and everything they have achieved so far 😘
— Amy (@PerrieIsMyQueen) August 19, 2016
- are you crying???
me: no
- are you lying???
me: yes 😩#5YearsOfLittleMixhttps://t.co/5izFRpwCQN
— 5 YEARS OF MY BABYS (@focusonhesc) August 19, 2016
I'm crying with happiness! I'm so proud of all you've achieved! I love u with all my ❤️@LittleMix #5YearsOfLittleMix pic.twitter.com/AQ2mFtd9AJ
— 5 years of LM!❤️ (@M3gz1996) August 19, 2016
#5YearsOfLittleMix wow.. time flies! love u girls @LittleMix
— e. (@DAMMIITMUKE) August 19, 2016
I love being emotional #5YearsOfLittleMix ❤ https://t.co/5Vhq47Xybu
— celia (@perriestucky) August 18, 2016
Elsewhere in pop-land, One Direction fans are celebrating the fifth anniversary of their debut single What Makes You Beautiful.
1D were formed the year before Little Mix, on the 2010 series of The X Factor and, while they didn’t win the show like the girls did, they have gone on to have more success than one can shake a stick at.
Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik were created by Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger who, at the time, was a guest judge.
One Direction in 2010 (Dominic Lipinski/PA Archive/PA Images)
Wow, is it really #5YearsOfWMYB? Where does the time go, @onedirection?
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ #XFactor pic.twitter.com/hWv7uTBlbX— The X Factor (@TheXFactor) August 19, 2016
Needless to say, the handsome young men have pretty much owned the pop music world in the years since they came third on the TV talent show, and their devoted Directioners caused #5YearsOfWMYB to become a trending topic on Twitter.
And that’s even without Zayn being part of the group any more, as he left in March last year. The boys have also disbanded and are currently on hiatus.
Check out some of the best – and emotional – fan reactions to the anniversary. Basically, they want One Direction to come back.
when you realize that its been 5 years since the boys released their first single
#5YearsOfWMYB pic.twitter.com/07zhSoiQWe
— laura™ (@lovezayntattoos) August 19, 2016
#5YearsOfWMYB the song that started everything. Then to now. pic.twitter.com/w9tzv1Kfp1
— Larry (@LarrysBullets) August 19, 2016
I remember when we were all like 11 years old and hated this girl 😂 #5YearsOfWMYB pic.twitter.com/GIKXPCV1tp
— kiwi loves mcdonalds (@larryftjustin_) August 19, 2016
me when i find out that the wmyb mv came out 5 years ago #5YearsOfWMYB pic.twitter.com/zXYxXtLJ5x
— rosa,! (@7upziall) August 19, 2016
Crying bc #5YearsOfWMYB and remembering all the times! @onedirection we miss you boys!! ❤️😅
— End Of The Day (@oohlala1D) August 19, 2016
Wow I'm emotionally crying right now, my babies are growing up so fast, why can't we go back😭 #5YearsOfWMYB pic.twitter.com/zgI2fstaQC
— Nouis (: (@_Directtioner_) August 19, 2016
Y'all Liam must be scrolling in this hashtag and lowkey crying.
Aw same Liam same #5YearsOfWMYB
— Lia (@explicitnouirry) August 19, 2016
IM CRYING I MISS HIS TEETH LOOK HOW ADORABLE IS MY BABE #5YearsOfWMYB pic.twitter.com/nQmBD3Pbl6
— giota (@blondgrabs) August 19, 2016
-are you crying
-NO!
-are you lying
-yes#5YearsOfWMYB@thisisamplify #FandomOlympics #TEAM1D pic.twitter.com/5n8W2AX5Bi— WHO WOULD GAME (@1dvotething) August 19, 2016
I'M CRYING 5 YEARS ALREADY #5YearsOfWMYB pic.twitter.com/5V28yEtAO5
— maddie (@pinkdaggers) August 19, 2016
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