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Big Time Rush's Carlos PenaVega Recalls One Direction Opening Their Tour: 'That Was Really Hard for Us'

The British boy band joined the American pop group on 10 dates of their Better With U tour in 2012

 Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Nickelodeon

It may have been a boy band fan's dream come true that One Direction and Big Time Rush once teamed up for a tour, but it wasn't so easy for BTR at the time.

On an episode of the Unplanned podcast , Big Time Rush member Carlos PenaVega opened up about why it was "hard" for the American pop group to have 1D as their openers on their Better With U tour in 2012. The singer, 34, explained that although fans originally bought tickets in support of BTR, it felt as though they ended up being more excited to see the British band.

"After our show, fans were outside the theater chanting for One Direction," PenaVega said.

"That was really hard for us," he revealed.

The singer/actor explained that between the time the "Boyfriend" band's North American tour was announced in fall 2011 to when the group featuring Niall Horan ,  Zayn Malik , Liam Payne ,  Harry Styles  and  Louis Tomlinson was added to the bill, their popularity simply took off.

"Our tour was sold out before they got on. So, they were there to see us," PenaVega recalled. "But it was like The Beatles . It was like a freak of nature. They wanted these five, cute British boys."

The former Nickelodeon star said that the "What Makes You Beautiful" group tried to return the favor, but he and his bandmates Logan Henderson , James Maslow and Kendall Schmidt decided against it.

PenaVega shared, "They offered for us to open for them in the U.K. and our egos got in the way. We were like, 'No. Never.'"

"Probably should have done it," he added. "I mean we were kids. I was like 22. It's hard to control your ego at that age."

JM Enternational/Redferns

Big Time Rush's Better With U Tour was their first national tour across the U.S. and Canada. It followed the release of their second studio album, 2011's Elevate . The string of live dates ran throughout February and March 2012 and featured support from One Direction on select dates, in addition to artists like JoJo and others throughout the tour.

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The concerts marked the "Kiss You" band's first shows in the U.S., as they had previously only played live across the U.K. and Ireland. Shortly after the Better With U Tour, 1D brought their own headlining Up All Night Tour, which was in support of their 2011 debut album of the same name, to North America.

Sara Jaye/Getty Images for ABA

While 1D eventually went through lineup changes when Malik, 31, departed the band in 2015 and they officially went on hiatus in 2016, Big Time Rush still remains active.

The "Windows Down" group did go on hiatus in 2014, but reunited in 2021 for select shows , and last year, they dropped their fourth studio album, Another Life . The project marked their first album in a decade, following 2013's  24/seven , and was also their first-ever independently released record.

BTR also set out on a tour throughout much of summer 2023 in support of their comeback .

When the foursome announced their most recent tour in February of last year, they opened up to PEOPLE about what it means to them to be back together again .

"We're not just looking for hits," shared Henderson, 34. "Obviously that's great, but we want to make good music that we are proud of and that's literally what we're striving for. That's why it's taken so long."

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Better With U Tour

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Better With U Tour was Big Time Rush 's first national tour. In November 2011, the band announced the tour, which would begin in February 2012. It was later reported that One Direction would be joining them as an opening act for ten shows.

• 1 Background
• 3 References
• 4 Tour Dates

Halfway through the the tour, Zayn Malik left the tour and traveled back to the UK due to the passing of a family member. [1] He returned on March 5, 2012 to and made his return to the stage on March 6, 2012 for the show in Durham, North Carolina.

One Direction performed an approximately 30-minute set list including the "Summer" intro from the Up All Night Tour .

• " Moments "
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• " More Than This "
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• " What Makes You Beautiful "
• ↑ @Harry_Styles . February 29, 2012.
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• 3 Harry Styles

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• PopCrush Nights

Big Time Rush Singer Admits It Was ‘Hard’ When More Popular One Direction Opened for Them on Tour

Big Time Rush singer Carlos PenaVega opened up about touring with an early One Direction on the  Unplanned podcast.

The two boy bands shared the stage in 2012 for BTR's Better With U tour.

At the time, 1D was fresh off of  The X Factor and had released "What Makes You Beautiful" and "Gotta Be You" as singles in the U.K. in 2011.

During their run as openers for BTR, the frenzy over 1D had already begun, and "What Makes You Beautiful" officially dropped as a single in the U.S., debuting at No. 28 on the  Billboard Hot 100.

"After our show, fans were outside the theater chanting for One Direction. That was really hard for us," PenaVega revealed.

READ MORE:   Big Time Rush Talks Reunion, New Album

"Our tour was sold out before they got on. So, they were there to see us. But it was like The Beatles. It was like a freak of nature. They wanted these five, cute British boys," he continued.

Later, the One Direction boys offered to return the favor in the U.K.

"They offered for us to open for them in the U.K. and our egos got in the way. We were like, 'No. Never.' Probably should have done it. I mean we were kids. I was like 22. It's hard to control your ego at that age," he explained.

"Respectfully, thank you for saying no bc 5SOS opening for them will always be the most iconic tour of 1D," one fan joked in the comments of a TikTok video from the podcast.

"I remember this so well Big Time Rush fans were SOOOO MADDDD half the crowd was always gone after 1D JDJDJDJD," another viewer commented.

Another person echoed the same thing, noting that fans leaving after One Direction's performance sparked a "war of the fan bases" between 1D stans and BTR fans.

"One Direction opening for them was like a fever dream. 2012 was wild," someone else said.

Artists Who Canceled Their Concert Tours

Gallery Credit: Erica Russell

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Find out why big time rush hated touring with one direction.

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We were first introduced to One Direction when they opened for Big Time Rush way back in 2012 — but apparently BTR wasn't as happy with their tourmates as they seemed! In a recent interview , Kendall Schmidt revealed that it "sucked" to have 1D open for them.

"Let’s put it this way: when One Direction were opening for us, their support was blossoming. As cool as it was to hang out with them, it sucked for us because there would be 2,000 girls outside the show singing their songs, even though we were headlining."

Kendall says they felt like they were being used by their record label in order to promote the 1D boys.

"The only reason we were on tour with them is because we had the same [record] label and they were using us to promote the band in America. We didn’t think that was fair, but it happened and the rest is history."

Now that BTR is taking a break from the band and 1D plans on making music together for a long time , One Direction has definitely taken over the spotlight. But we had no clue they felt that way!

The Wanted also blamed One Direction for their breakup, but they had drama before . BTR and 1D always seemed like they had such a great time together on tour, so we didn't realize there was this underlying tension.

Do you think it was fair for 1D to take the attention from Big Time Rush on their headlining tour? Should BTR still be upset about it? Sound off in the comments!

Love J-14 ? Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for fun, exclusive videos with your favorite stars.

Big Time Rush’s Carlos PenaVega Recalls One Direction Opening Their Tour: ‘That Was Really Hard for Us’

The British boy band joined the American pop group on 10 dates of their Better With U tour in 2012

It may have been a boy band fan’s dream come true that One Direction and Big Time Rush once teamed up for a tour, but it wasn’t so easy for BTR at the time.

On an episode of the  Unplanned  podcast, Big Time Rush member Carlos PenaVega opened up about why it was “hard” for the American pop group to have 1D as their openers on their Better With U tour in 2012. The singer, 34, explained that although fans originally bought tickets in support of BTR, it felt as though they ended up being more excited to see the British band.

“After our show, fans were outside the theater chanting for One Direction,” PenaVega said.

“That was really hard for us,” he revealed.

Everything the Members of One Direction Have Said About Their Time in the Band

The singer/actor explained that between the time the “Boyfriend” band’s North American tour was announced in fall 2011 to when the group featuring Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson was added to the bill, their popularity simply took off.

“Our tour was sold out before they got on. So, they were there to see us,” PenaVega recalled. “But it was like The Beatles. It was like a freak of nature. They wanted these five, cute British boys.”

The former Nickelodeon star said that the “What Makes You Beautiful” group tried to return the favor, but he and his bandmates Logan Henderson, James Maslow and Kendall Schmidt decided against it.

PenaVega shared, “They offered for us to open for them in the U.K. and our egos got in the way. We were like, ‘No. Never.'”

“Probably should have done it,” he added. “I mean we were kids. I was like 22. It’s hard to control your ego at that age.”

From left: Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Liam Payne of One Direction in London in February 2012.

JM ENTERNATIONAL/REDFERNS

Zayn Malik Recalls Saving Harry Styles from ‘Really Dangerous’ Pyrotechnic Mishap at One Direction Concert

Big Time Rush’s Better With U Tour was their first national tour across the U.S. and Canada. It followed the release of their second studio album, 2011’s  Elevate . The string of live dates ran throughout February and March 2012 and featured support from One Direction on select dates, in addition to artists like JoJo and others throughout the tour.

The concerts marked the “Kiss You” band’s first shows in the U.S., as they had previously only played live across the U.K. and Ireland. Shortly after the Better With U Tour, 1D brought their own headlining  Up All Night  Tour, which was in support of their 2011 debut album of the same name, to North America.

From left: Big Time Rush’s Carlos PenaVega, James Maslow, Logan Henderson and Kendall Schmidt in New York City at iHeartRadio Jingle Ball in December 2023.

SARA JAYE/GETTY IMAGES FOR ABA

Celebrate One Direction’s 10-Year-Anniversary with Their Most Iconic Throwback Photos

While 1D eventually went through lineup changes when Malik, 31, departed the band in 2015 and they officially went on hiatus in 2016, Big Time Rush still remains active.

The “Windows Down” group did go on hiatus in 2014, but reunited in 2021 for select shows, and last year, they dropped their fourth studio album,  Another Life . The project marked their first album in a decade, following 2013’s  24/seven , and was also their first-ever independently released record.

BTR also set out on a tour throughout much of summer 2023 in support of their comeback .

When the foursome announced their most recent tour in February of last year, they opened up to PEOPLE about what it means to them to be back together again.

“We’re not just looking for hits,” shared Henderson, 34. “Obviously that’s great, but we want to make good music that we are proud of and that’s literally what we’re striving for. That’s why it’s taken so long.”

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• One Direction

27 Iconic Moments in One Direction History

Updated on 3/21/2016 at 4:00 AM

We've officially entered One Direction's hiatus , and fans the world over are heartbroken — and a bit bored. Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne have all reassured fans that the break is just temporary and they'll be back in a year or two, refreshed and ready to continue as One Direction, but how much do you know about the first five years of their career? As a bit of a diehard fan , I took it upon myself to try to come up with what I think are the most iconic moments in One Direction's history. The evolution of these boys, if you will. Scroll through to see them all, and then powwow with me while we listen to "History" on repeat and anxiously wait for our boys to come back to us.

June-July 2010

What happened: Harry, Liam, Louis, Niall, and Zayn Malik all auditioned for The X Factor as solo artists but were rejected.

Why this is important: The initial rejection could have been the end of the road for the five of them, but the show's judges decided to pick these five boys who had never performed together and put them into a group. This was the beginning of One Direction.

What happened: We found out One Direction can't dance.

Why this is important: Fans found out from the get-go that none of the boys can really dance. This is why there are no choreographed dance routines during any of their concerts, despite the boy band stereotype. I can't count how many concert reviews I've read that criticize them for not dancing, but seriously, they're really, really bad at it, so they're better off not doing it.

October 2010

What happened: One Direction started filming their video diaries while on The X Factor .

Why this is important: Back when One Direction were babies, they sat at the bottom of a set of stairs every week and filmed a video diary for The X Factor . It was here that fans got to know them and start to fall in love with their antics. Those stairs will always have a special place in fans' hearts because they were a beginning.

Dec. 10, 2010

What happened: One Direction took third place in The X Factor .

Why this is important: One Direction is the biggest thing to ever come out of The X Factor and probably out of any reality TV show ever — and they didn't even win. Just goes to show you don't have to win those things to have success.

August 2011

What happened: Zayn couldn't remember where they were.

Why this is important: Malabami (Malibu + Miami) will always be a special location to fans because it was just an adorable gaffe. (He actually didn't say Malabami , he said Miami, but it sounded like Malabami, and fans will never accept anything else.) We will always have Malabami, Zayn.

Feb. 14, 2012

What happened: One Direction's first US single, "What Makes You Beautiful," was released.

Why this is important: There was no guarantee One Direction would ever find success outside the UK, yet finding success in the US is the ultimate goal for musical artists. The song, which will forever be a jam and one of the band's most well-known songs, has gone platinum four times . . . just in the US.

February 2012

What happened: One Direction toured the US as the opening act for Big Time Rush.

Why this is important: The first time One Direction toured the US, it was as Big Time Rush's opening act for their small tour. I know, who is Big Time Rush? I don't know either, so it's amazing that One Direction, who just three years later were headlining the largest stadiums in the world, opened for them once upon a time.

August 2012

What happened: Zayn bleached the front of his hair.

Why this is important: Fans are still talking about Zayn's cinnamon-swirl hair because it was one of the best hairstyles he's ever had. Also, Zayn is beautiful, and all pictures of him are beautiful. Enjoy.

Dec. 3, 2012

What happened: One Direction headlined Madison Square Garden in New York.

Why this is important: Needless to say, headlining MSG is kind of a big deal, and these guys did it pretty early in their career. As far as a timeline goes, let's put it this way: One Direction released their first US album in March and tickets for MSG went on sale — and immediately sold out — in April.

Aug. 30, 2013

What happened: One Direction: This Is Us was released in the US.

Why this is important: This Is Us is one of those movies that's really only appealing to the fans, and that's OK. The movie included live performances from London concerts and behind-the-scenes looks at several months of the boys' lives while on the road — as well as their early days on The X Factor .

Sept. 13, 2013

What happened: Liam tweeted about a snake habitat in Australia!

Why this is important: This is probably Liam's most important and most remembered tweet ever. There was a group of fans lurking around the boys' hotel in Australia, and he was trying to get them to leave. He tried telling them about the snake habitat sign, but no one listened, so he told them again. You say "SNAKE HABITAT TURN AROUND" to any 1D fan, and they know what you mean.

Nov. 20, 2013

What happened: Liam said if he could switch places with anyone else in the group, he'd switch with Harry.

Why this is important : Harry is easily the most well-known member of One Direction, which means he also gets a lot more hate than anyone else. When Liam said he'd switch places with Harry, it wasn't so he could be the popular one. Liam said he'd switch with Harry so Harry could have a break from being Harry. These boys really love each other, OK?

Nov. 23, 2013

What happened: We were blessed with 1D Day.

Why this is important: 1D Day was the biggest, best sh*t show ever to have existed. The band live streamed for over seven hours, and fans were treated to technical difficulties, awkward segues, guest stars like Jerry Springer, and video montages with a lot of shirtlessness. It was also how Jason Derulo's "Talk Dirty to Me" became so popular so quickly.

Nov. 25, 2013

What happened: Midnight Memories , the band's third album, was released in the US.

Why this is important: The band's third studio album is the first one to have a majority of the songs written by the boys themselves. Of the 18 tracks on the deluxe CD, 15 of them are credited to at least one member of One Direction.

Dec. 7, 2013

What happened: One Direction made their second Saturday Night Live appearance.

Why this is important: For the second year in a row, the boys were the musical guest on SNL , but unlike the first appearance, this time they sang music from their third album , aka music they had actually written. It was a much more grown-up appearance than the year prior. It was also still better than their third appearance the following year.

May 7, 2014

What happened: The boys hid in the back of a bread van to visit Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.

Why this is important: The boys never really get a chance to sightsee because they're mobbed by fans everywhere they go, so this was a rarity for them. However, that is not the most important part about this day. While in the back of the bread van, Harry made sure everyone knew that he used to be a baker. It's something he's been proud to share with the world since the very beginning .

What happened: Harry started embracing his new love of fashion.

Why this is important: Not only is it great to see a man embracing all forms of flashy fashion — including women's jeans, floral suits, and patterned shirts half unbuttoned — but it was really important for him because it was only two years prior that he admitted that he cared a lot about what people think of him . To go from that semi-insecure teenager to someone who willingly wears a red floral Gucci suit on TV is a big step.

July 21, 2014

What happened: Louis's mom got married.

Why this is important: When Louis's mom got married, Liam and his girlfriend, Sophia; Niall; Harry and his family; and even the band's hairstylist, Lou Teasdale, were there to share in Louis's family's day. Noticeably absent was Zayn, who didn't seem to show up to any event he didn't have to.

Aug. 27, 2014

What happened: Harry wore a Michael Sam jersey at the St. Louis concert.

Why this is important: Harry often preaches about love being love, no matter who you are. He is quick to run around a stadium stage waving a rainbow flag and use gender-neutral pronouns in interviews, so it wasn't much of a surprise when he showed up at the St. Louis concert wearing Michael Sam's jersey. The concert was held just a few weeks after Sam, the first openly gay NFL player, had been drafted by the Rams.

Nov. 1, 2014

What happened: Niall Instagrammed his first group selfie!

Why this is important: There really aren't a lot of selfies of the whole group together, but we do have a few, mostly thanks to selfie king Niall. His Instagram mostly consists of his three favorite things: One Direction, sports, and Ireland.

March 25, 2015

What happened: Zayn left the band.

Why this is important: Zayn leaving the band left the future up in the air for the remaining four members and the fans. No one was really sure if One Direction would continue as a four-piece group and if they would find success. Turns out, they did just fine.

Aug. 4, 2015

What happened: Louis confirmed he is going to be a dad.

Why this is important: This was the first time Louis acknowledged the baby rumors that had started floating around the month prior. On an episode of Good Morning America , Michael Strahan wished Louis well with having a new baby, and Louis thanked him, thus confirming that our 1D boys are indeed growing up.

Aug. 10, 2015

What happened: Louis hosted a charity ball for sick kids.

Why this is important: The boys do a lot of charity work that often goes unnoticed. This particular event, benefitting Believe in Magic , was a charity ball hosted and organized by Louis where all the children in attendance were treated like royalty.

Oct. 31, 2015

What happened: Harry and Louis hugged on stage during the last show of their last tour.

Why this is important: Back in the early days of the band, Harry and Louis were practically inseparable. They were the cutest pair of friends until people started to think they were more than that. The rumors of their relationship eventually drove a wedge between them, and you'd be hard pressed to find much interaction between them since 2013. But at the very last show, they hugged on stage, giving fans a glimpse at the old Harry and Louis.

Nov. 17, 2015

What happened: Niall wore glasses!

Why this is important: Let me break it down for you. Niall is the heart and soul of One Direction, so whenever he does things, it's a big deal to everyone. During promo for their last album, Niall decided to wear some glasses as an accessory, and the fandom lost their damn minds. He found out how popular they were and kept wearing them for funsies. Also to keep melting fans' hearts.

December 2015

What happened: The band officially went on hiatus.

Why this is important: One Direction performed on The X Factor — where it all began — for the last time before taking their break. Their Carpool Karaoke from The Late Late Show With James Corden aired a few days later, leaving fans with gems like this one to tide us over until the boys (hopefully) return.

And lastly . . . from Jan. 16, 2010

What happened: Niall tweeted about auditioning for The X Factor .

Why this is important: This is the most important One Direction tweet in existence. Niall tweeted this after his very first audition, and it's often referenced when it comes to the boys' success. I think it's safe to say it all worked out, Niall.

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EXCLUSIVE PHOTO: One Direction and Big Time Rush unite for North American tour!

Two weeks from today, Nickelodeon boy band Big Time Rush will launch its Better With U tour in Las Vegas, and starting one week after that (in Chicago on February 24), they will be joined by some very special guests: One Direction.

EW has obtained an exclusive photo of the two bands together and ready to tour the country.

Are you by chance unfamiliar with One Direction? That's likely to change. The British fivesome, constructed by Simon Cowell during The X-Factor UK 's 2010 season, has already taken the motherland by storm — their first single "What Makes You Beautiful" became the most pre-ordered single in Sony Music's history — but now they're teaming up with Big Time Rush to launch a Stateside career.

To appease the masses of eager young females , "What Make You Beautiful" (below) will be made available on digital retailers on Valentine's Day (a stroke of marketing genius if I've ever heard one), and Columbia Records says in a statement that "due to overwhelming fan demand," their debut album Up All Night will be released one week early on March 13.

On top of that, One Direction is set to appear in an upcoming episode of Nickelodeon's top-rated show iCarly , and their music video for "What Makes You Beautiful," which has already racked up 47 million VEVO views, will premiere on the kids network on February 11.

Are boy bands officially back in style? Ever since the age of the Backstreet Boys and N'Sync, there have been countless attempts to launch new super-groups (Anyone remember Youngstown ? Just me? Okay…), though none have really panned out.

But with Big Time Rush on a sold-out tour (and with their single "Music Sounds Better With U" out now), One Direction garnering deafening buzz, and fellow Brit-imports The Wanted racing up the pop charts with their Guetta-esque "Glad You Came," it looks like the Beliebers and Lovatics might have some new tween fanbases to reckon with.

Tell me, readers. Are you a One Direction fan? What about Big Time Rush? Do you think boy bands are poised for a major return?

Follow @EWGradySmith

More on EW.com:

Big Time Rush: 'Elevate' music video sneak peek

Behind the scenes of the Big Time Rush's 'Boyfriend' video with Snoop Dogg

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One Direction, Big Time Rush Talk Joint Tour

Having already taped their [article id="1678354"]"iCarly" appearance[/article], the [article id="1678042"]guys of One Direction[/article] will move another step closer to U.S. domination when they kick off their tour with Big Time Rush later this month.

The two boy bands will meet up for the joint trek on February 24, just 10 days after U.K. natives One Direction drop their Valentine's Day-timed single, "What Makes You Beautiful," here in the States. MTV News got some exclusive scoop about the two bands' first meeting, which went down last weekend in the City of Angels.

"We met Big Time Rush for the first time last weekend on the set of their show in L.A. They are really great guys and could not have been more welcoming and supportive," One Direction said in a statement to MTV News. "We also shared a lot of laughs! We can't wait to hit the road with them in the U.S. and having never been to New York before, the Radio City show is one we are all incredibly excited about!"

BTR shared in 1D's excitement about the forthcoming jaunt. "We're excited to have One Direction come on tour with us in the U.S.," BTR's Carlos Pena Jr. added. "We are actually very similar on and off camera and we can't wait to have some fun on the road." (BTR officially kick off their tour on February 17, days before 1D are set to join them.)

This marks a busy time for both bands. One Direction's debut album, Up All Night, drops March 13. Meanwhile BTR's original TV movie, "Big Time Movie," debuts on Nick on March 10. In it, the guys will cover classic Beatles tracks like "Help!," "A Hard Day's Night" and "We Can Work It Out," as well as songs from their [article id="1675039"]album Elevate. [/article]

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Big Time Rush's Carlos PenaVega Says It Was "Really Hard" Having One Direction Open Their Tour

Carlos PenaVega is looking back at his first time touring nationally with Big Time Rush and admitted that it was actually "really hard" having fellow boy band One Direction as their opening act.

The singer-actor, who makes up one-fourth of the American pop group alongside Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow and Logan Henderson, recently opened up about his experience with the British boy band as their openers on the Better With U Tour in 2012.

"After our show, fans were outside the theater chanting for One Direction," PenaVega recalled on the Unplanned  podcast . "That was really hard for us."

He noted that Big Time Rush's North American tour was revealed in the fall of 2011, well before One Direction was added. However, at some point between the tour announcement and them actually hitting the stage, the British group featuring Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson catapulted in global popularity.

"Our tour was sold out before they got on. So, they were there to see us," PenaVega explained. "But it was like The Beatles. It was like a freak of nature. They wanted these five, cute British boys."

The Nickelodeon alum said One Direction tried to return the favor by asking them to be their opener in the U.K., but he admitted that "our egos got in the way. We were like, ‘No. Never.'"

"Probably should have done it," PenaVega added. "We were kids. I was like 22. It's hard to control your ego at that age."

Big Time Rush's Better With U Tour followed the release of their second studio album, 2011's  Elevate . It was also the group's first time touring across the U.S. and Canada. The tour also marked One Direction's first concerts in the U.S. as they had only previously played live in the U.K. and Ireland. Shortly after, they brought their headlining Up All Night Tour to North America.

While One Direction ultimately went on hiatus in 2016 - and have yet to return to the stage together - Big Time Rush reunited in 2021 for a string of shows and released their fourth studio album,  Another Life , in 2023.

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The Spectator

Great debate: big time rush vs. one direction.

It’s been a semester-long debate between The Spectator’s managing editor and editor in chief, but which band is better?

Story by Emilee Wentland and Nicole Bellford May 8, 2018 36 Comments

More stories from Emilee Wentland

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Big Time Rush

When I was 15, I had a Twitter account called @BTRisAMAZINGGGGG dedicated to Big Time Rush. Five G’s. That’s how amazing they are.

Big Time Rush, commonly known as BTR, was created by producer Scott Fellows for a Nickelodeon television show of the same name. The show debuted on Nov. 28, 2009 and ran for four seasons. In that time, they recorded three albums, filmed a Christmas TV movie with Snoop Dogg and, ultimately, taught us that modern boy bands can actually sing and dance live.

As a boy band, BTR performed flawless harmonies and choreography live in concert. Even in the modern era, the band kept the boy band tradition of semi-matching outfits on stage and in-sync dance moves.

In 2012, BTR began their “Better with U Tour” where, on the North American leg, One Direction opened for them. That’s right: One Direction opened for BTR.

BTR is still the epitome of talent. Like every boy band ever, they had a way of making you (and millions of other teenage girls) feel special. BTR wrote most of the songs on their second and third albums, rehearsed original choreography and made me believe men could be good — all while filming 74 episodes of an above-average television show.

Without BTR, subsequent boy bands like One Direction would not be successful. In 2009, BTR paved the way for the comeback of the boy band. This band inadvertently gave the world an unprecedented era of skin-tight jeans, J-14 wall posters, internet fandom wars and quiffed hair.

BTR was iconic, and the fact that they aren’t a band anymore is criminal. Somehow, they made me grateful for the hours upon hours I spent obsessing over them online. One thing though is for certain, “If I Ruled the World,” I’d make sure BTR was the only relevant boy band (because they deserve to be).

-Emilee Wentland

One Direction

I have been a die-hard fan of the legendary English-Irish pop boy band, One Direction, since “What Makes You Beautiful” first graced my ears back in 2011, and have continued to love them even though they decided to take an indefinite hiatus back in 2016.

After five albums, five concerts, hundreds of dollars and endless playlists on repeat in the car (much to the dismay of my boyfriend), it is pretty evident that I am an avid “Directioner.” That being said, when Ms. Wentland had the audacity to argue that Big Time Rush was even borderline comparable to One Direction, I knew it was time to use my college education for arguably the most important task of my editorial career: constructing a well-sourced argument for the boys.

One Direction got their start back in 2010, when the original band members, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik auditioned for The X Factor UK as individual acts. However, Simon Cowell had the (genius) idea to group the boys together for the duration of the show and thus, 1D was born.

If their record setting album sales and epic social media followings don’t already speak for themselves, let’s dive into their pure talent, effortless harmonies and evolution between each album release. 1D grew with their audience, offering a more mature and unique sound with each new record. Listening to the difference between tracks on “Up All Night” versus “Made in the A.M.” clearly illustrates this. This is more than BTR can say, as they continuously offered the same stuffy, bubblegum pop, autotuned sound on each track they released.

One Direction was the definition of a boy band, as the members first formed when they were in their teenage years. They related to their audience and grew up with the fans that followed them. BTR, on the other hand, featured members that were already adults when they first debuted on the music scene. By the time the band concluded, they were more of an awkwardly-aged man band, hardly relating to their teenage audience.

Moreover, even after One Direction split, each member’s solo career has been nothing short of successful , from Harry and Niall’s iconic album releases to Louis, Liam and Zayn’s catchy singles.

Where is BTR now, you ask? I couldn’t tell you (because they’re irrelevant).

-Nicole Bellford

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Kendalls wife • Jan 31, 2022 at 10:51 am

No shade to one direction and stuff but BTR has lots of top hit songs that flow effortlessly and can match any mood. BTR has good looking guys who have amazing voices that fit well with the music genre that they sing.Maybe i say that Gustavo Raque does an amazing job composing and putting together amazing hit albums every year.Sure 1D has lots of hits and stuff but noticed how that band broke up and NEVER got back together now BTR STAYED together and is working on performances and a concert in the furture.-from BTR fan 69420

Unknown • Sep 28, 2021 at 10:50 am

BTR FOR THE WIN YALL WHO THINK OTHERWISE CAN SUCK MY TOES

Dulya Hapugaskumbura • Jul 15, 2021 at 6:50 am

Well, I think 1D is the best band ever. Cuz they are amazayn. Thye are the world biggest band. and although they are in a hiatus since 5 or 6 years they are still the best boy band in the planet. 1D members have very high notes, their voices are so cool. and although they lost the x factor solo artists competition they didn’t give up thye tried harder to win in the group competition. So, there is a clear massage out. and i don’t even know what this Big Time Rush thing is. 1D is the best, 1DFORTHEWIN, Directioner Forever!

louis • Jul 10, 2021 at 10:09 pm

Uhm, by calling btr irrelevant isnt really an insult because its true. even after 5 years i still heard story of my life, by one direction on the radio today. i personally have never heard any big time rush songs on the radio, and the only reason i know that they exist is because i saw their show on netflix. imagine if 1D had a show like that LOL. that sales and awards that one direction have one should speak for themselves. and dont even get me started on fanbase. directioners are some of the smartest loyal people i know. has big time rush fans ever hacked security to watch big time rush? IN REAL LIFE NOT SHOW (sorry for the all caps 😉 I know thats creepy, but its very, very true… big time rush arent exactly the best singers, and harry and liam can dance. just because 1D opened for btr in 2012, before 1D really got their start. there really is no competition, One Direction is the CLEAR winner.

Anna • Apr 20, 2021 at 3:31 pm

I love both bands but I would love it if everyone would stop saying that One Direction didn’t work hard. I get it there’s a lot of episodes in BTR, and sure it might’ve taken a week to complete one episode but they would have breaks for pretty much most of the entire summer, and half of winter, because that is how TV shows work. One Direction did world tours all year round, while writing/recording for their last three albums, doing promotional interviews, meet and greets with fans and so much more. Their is 518 days in 74 weeks, one direction was together for 5 years a total of 1,969 days and did 1470 concerts within that time. So please stop making this about who worked harder, they both did. And they both were incredibly successful in their own ways, and they both were a huge part of a lot of people’s childhoods. And they were two different types of bands one was on a tv show pretty much full time the other on world tours full time. Both bands were exceptionally talented, hard working and well loved, so please everyone stop being so toxic and hating on one band just because they prefer the other.

jaylynn • Apr 10, 2021 at 1:05 pm

Ok, first of all, this didn’t bug me until the very last sentence. BTR and 1D are two different bands. Im team BTR

Sarah • Apr 10, 2021 at 2:01 am

Also, no shade at all, but now that both bands are broken up, it seems like the BTR boys still are good friends and I haven’t heard any beef between them. One Direction on the other hand has had some drama within the boys (not a lot but there definitely has been some). I am sure the 1D boys keep in touch but they do not seem as close as BTR. I mean, Harry doesn’t even follow any of the boys on Instagram But again, no hate to them. I love these bands. They literally were my childhood… well, my preteen-hood

Sarah • Apr 10, 2021 at 1:58 am

I love both bands so much. They both produced amazing songs and both have strong fandoms. One Direction is objectively more popular, but that doesn’t make them better. I’m not saying that BTR is better, but BTR had a lot that One Direction didn’t despite the difference in popularity. I saw someone above comment how BTR managed to film a show every week for about 4 years, plus touring, recording and everything else they had to do. I also noticed that BTR had a lot more choreography in their shows, which One Direction also lacked. I think that BTR deserves more praise and recognition because they truly deserve the same amount of fame as One Direction. But again, I love both bands so much and I really wish I could’ve seen One Direction open for BTR in 2012

jorja • Feb 1, 2021 at 5:20 pm

one direction could do “boyfriend” but btr could never do clouds. that’s all i have to say.

Crystal C. • Jan 13, 2021 at 8:03 pm

Firstly, as a fan of both bands I can say the slander in previous posts are hardly good arguments. Secondly, this debate intrigues me. I had never compared the two in my teenage years. But now in 2021, let’s look at facts. – Formation: Both bands were constructed via television shows with slight differences. BTR boys were cast for a sitcom based on their acting abilities (and singing capabilities, no doubt) while simultaneously being signed to a label. 1D was formed as a boyband based on their singing abilities and lack thereof, given they were still teenagers at that point. They weren’t chosen because of Liam’s rapping nor Zayn’s dance moves (no, definitely not Zayn’s dance moves), but how well they might sound in unison. They had to earn their spot to hopefully win and be signed by a label. Though they placed third on X-Factor, given their growing potential talent and popularity with fans 1D was then signed. – Personas: BTR’s personas were constructed to fit the show. The four were portrayed as hockey players from MN that moved to LA to pursue music, none of which is true. I’ll debate that the 1D boys never had to play anyone other than themselves. They did not need to have matching outfits nor dance routines to make their mark as a boyband. As constructed as both bands were, I hesitantly say that 1D was a bit more organic. – Fame: This opinion article claims, ” Without BTR, subsequent boy bands like One Direction would not be successful. In 2009, BTR paved the way for the comeback of the boy band.” I will plainly counterargue that it was the Jonas Brothers paved the way for the boyband comeback, given they sold more records than BTR prior to their conception (plus BTR being a Nick copy of JONAS and the Monkees…but that’s a debate for another time). The argument that 1D was only made successful bc of BTR is a ridiculous one for one reason: the internet. Many BTR fans already knew the 1D boys from the internet, as stated by James in an interview with BTR. More recently, Kendall admitted, it sucked for us because there would be 2,000 girls outside the show singing their songs, even though we were headlining. So BTR didn’t make 1D famous, if anything they helped make them MORE famous. Unfortunately, becoming more famous than themselves. – Sales: BTR has sold “over 10 million records worldwide.” No number ones but peaked on Billboards Charts with Boyfriend at #72. Whereas 1D “have had an 61 number ones, 85 million sales worldwide, including 20 million singles, 11 million albums and over a million DVDs.” Keyword: WORLDWIDE. Both bands toured and had fanbases around the world but the most successful of the two is One Direction. Without even touching on the members’ solo careers since both band’s split, it is clear One Direction is the better band.

Waldo Salinas • Jul 21, 2022 at 5:13 am

Mike • Jan 6, 2021 at 10:21 am

1D’s success in America is due to BTR’s promotions in their world together, and no one really appreciated that. Just because 1D is more popular doesn’t make them better because there are popular people who aren’t great in their craft. 1D is talented don’t get me wrong, but they aren’t all buddies with each other consistently. BTR paved the way to boy bands era and brought a lot of unprecedented trends. 1D got popular because of x Factors’ fame and Simon Cowell’s promotion. He made them famous. their record did so much to put them together and is due to Simon Cowell’s influence in Britain and BTR’s promotion in America, and that’s why rest of the people followed. But BTR is better and underrated, but those who recognize their talent are the ones who winning. I do like 1D ut I believe BTR has the edge-popularity doe not mean anything

Emma • Dec 10, 2020 at 1:34 am

Look, I’m with One direction on this one. I don’t know why people on here keep hating on 1D. Liam, Niall, Louis, Harry, and Zayn have had such a huge impact on millions of lives(including mine). I can tell you this, One Direction saved my life. Without them wouldn’t be here. They brought so so so much joy into my life when I needed it most. They are truly my everything and I think I speak for a lot of directioners when I say that. It hurts us when you hate on the people that mean so much to us for no reason. please take into consideration why we love 1D. I think it’s kind of messed up what BTR fans say even when they know nothing. Both bands were good, but I just feel that one direction had a much bigger impact on the music industry and on the whole world.

POEP • Nov 21, 2020 at 7:24 am

BTR is the best fuck 1d

Mariah Murillo • Sep 26, 2020 at 9:47 am

First of all, I knew about 1d wayyyyyy before I knew about Btr….the only reason why I know about them is because my little sister watches Nickelodeon. I’m not say btr is irrelevant, because I do know that Carlos is an actor, but other than that, where are they now….idk. One direction owned the music industry for a hot minute, look at their careers now, I bet if you turned on the radio and waited about 20 minutes, you’d hear Adore you, by who? Not Kendall, not Carlos, not James, not Logan….Harry, Harry Styles, former One direction member….so yeah, the girl saying Btr is irrelevant isn’t wrong she’s just rude.

kadie young • Aug 24, 2020 at 3:02 am

to all you small minded stupid people saying btr is better than one direction. let me correct you first of all one direction is not all looks and voice. there are well respected boys also we did not fall in love with them for there but more so the behavior and how respectful the are. also i don’t see btr giving money to charity . my boy went to Africa first hand and say what was happening. they also saved money from a video shoot to give to comic relief. they also treat there fans with the utmost respect. and before you say it was also a publicity stunt it was not, why because harry also bought a butt load of pizza and when around delivering it to the less fortunate and his whole platform is treat people with kindness. and i am sure btr is an amazing band. but that does not give you the right to call a band irrelevant. also a true one directioner would never hate on someone. so imagine what you all btr fans are saying the comment say a lot about the band it self. also one direction did not need btr to popularize them they were already popular. they look and voice was an added bonus, also thanks for admitting how handsome and how spectacular there voice are.

Rusher • Jul 14, 2020 at 2:07 pm

How dare you say BTR is irrelevant and btw Logan and James are solo now and very talented FYI. Logan’s music is amazing. Kendall is working on his band Heffron Drive with Dustin Belt and their music will BLOW YOUR SPEAKERS OUT. Carlos has a family and he is a very talented actor. So don’t tell me your nonsense of 1D and all, because no one outside the UK would know 1D if it weren’t for BTR. So don’t go talking like a GIANT TURD because BTR is the best boyband ever and I’LL BE THINKING ABOUT THEM WORLDWIDE!

Muhammad Irfan Baig • Jun 17, 2020 at 10:23 pm

One Direction vs Big Time Rush Battle Buttkicker Action Fighting Celebrities Knockouts Entertainment Tournament Of The Boy Band 1D (The X Factor UK) & BTR (Nickelodeon) Perfect Blood Bleed Vampire Bite GRRRRRRRRRLLLLLLLLLLLLL!?. Suck Your Blood One Direction Win Round 1 Fight 1D Attacks BTR Win 1D With Round 2 Fight Get Ready 1D Attacks BTR Win 1D & Round 3 Final Round Fight Go 1D Attacks BTR Win 1D (3 Wins 1D) (0 Killer Killing Died BTR).

Sofia • Jun 16, 2020 at 1:55 pm

BTR set the bar and restarted the boy band thing Big Time Rush is so underrated and One direction is way to OVERRATED. AND THATS ON FACTS PERIOD.

Che Moraira • Jun 15, 2020 at 7:17 pm

Big Time Rush is, was, and always will be better than One Direction (which btw owe almost everything to BTR) they wouldn’t have half as many fans without BTR making Big Time Rush better in every way also NO ONE from BTR is “annoying “

Naiya • Jun 10, 2020 at 5:07 pm

In my opinion btr is better than one direction. after one directions song, ” What Makes You Beautiful” you didnt hear much about them after that. and they had complaints in ther band according to Zayn he said he did not make one friend in that group and he did not like the music they made and Liam also said that he was forced to do things. Also Zayn left the group. now on the other haand with btr i think they made better music and they got along better and was more succesful. They never complaint about making friends or with the music and yes they are not a bandn anymore nut they are still close and still sing and last year carlos and kendall sang some songs and so as james and kendall. And the 4 members were on a call together to tell their fans to stay safe. Btr in my opinion wasn the better band

Reevs • May 22, 2020 at 3:35 pm

Honestly speaking BTR made a statement and that still stands till today. They support one another whenever. If one thing I’ve learnt from those guys is that. It doesn’t matter where they came from. They’ll stand together and support one another with no feuds. And without BTR there wouldn’t be a 1D.

Kevin • May 17, 2020 at 6:09 am

This is so funny. How tf could u be so rude with BTR when thanks to them 1D got promoted. I like the songs of both bands. They sound great. But if u r gonna argument saying that BTR is irrelevant, u r just as irrelevant as ur commentary because it seems that u don’t know anything. Sorry not sorry.

Tanayia • Feb 29, 2020 at 8:01 am

BTR is WAY better, and I can tell you that with satisfaction that they are way better. After growing up watch BTR and just not only can they act but their show went on for four seasons and they went on tour. So until 1D can get a show that runs like BTR then yall can talk. And i know they had a movie which was horrible anyway.

alexi • Dec 15, 2019 at 7:13 pm

🤡 imagine thinking that one direction is better.

kidRapz • Nov 17, 2019 at 2:45 pm

I say btr was n still r legendary the boys we’re real mature n humble n their songs ohhh goddd🔥🔥🔥

colby • Nov 11, 2019 at 11:20 am

although i love both bands and will forever be fans, the impact one direction has is much greater. One direction brought together so many people and they continue to do so. Technically it isn’t a solid debate because where the members stand now says it all, they are all successful and have a large loyal following. BTR was talented but if you focus on them now you see their downfall I will not name names, but one of the members is incredibly annoying now and jesus christ its awful. I would say the only truly successful ones are carlos and kendall.

Anna • Nov 8, 2019 at 1:15 pm

BTR is the Best

Ur mom • Sep 7, 2019 at 8:48 am

Um who tf is that girl saying one direction is better than btr. U wouldn’t f*cking know abt 1d without BTR. U might wanna bow down to btr’s greatness. The only reason u kmow abt one direction is because BTR promoted them so u shud stfu and thank BTR for promoting 1d. Also Big Time Rush were GREAT role models, didn’t ask for any drama or attention, none of em left the band, and they are still great friends. Autotune? Tf are u talking abt girl. All i see is oure talent. Their voices harmonize PERFECTLY and they are extremely talented. Now im not saying one direction aint but at least btr didn’t become famous bc they used another boy band. 1d’s career was successful bc of MARKETING periodt.

Sarahi • Jun 20, 2019 at 10:48 pm

There is a huge difference with the way the first person gave their opinion versus the second. The first didn’t insult 1D yet the other person couldn’t help but be rude. Sorry not sorry but Btr could rap, sing, dance go on world tours, practice constantly and make a tv show. 1D was just looks and voices. They might have been talented in that area but they couldn’t do it like Btr. That’s the exact reason why they have so many fans left because they were the ones who brought back the boy bands.

Rebecca • May 23, 2019 at 7:46 pm

BTR for sure! I love carlos SO MUCH!!!!! <3

gavin • May 4, 2019 at 7:56 pm

btr is way better

Brent Dickerson • Mar 20, 2019 at 9:21 pm

I think that btr should get back together and have a battle with one direction and see who will win because i think big time rush will crush one direction so im gonna say this kendall and logan and james and carlos whoop that butt because yall are the best boy band in the world and everyone misses yall alot can yall plz come back together guys

Nick • Feb 7, 2019 at 10:58 pm

IMO I believe Big Time Rush was a better band. I the band desverses a lot more credit they were very hard working. I mean four seasons that overall had 74 episodes plus a movie and world tours. One Direction has never had that kind of work. One of the band members of BTR said an episode took a while week to film. And none of the members of Big Time Rush left the band *cough (Zayn). The members of BTR were more mature and great role models for their younger audience. They never gotten into Twitter feuds or get into any drama cause they knew better One Direction couldn’t handle the hate they were given by othe artists being successful as these bands there is definitely gonna be haters and One Direction couldn’t handle it aswell as BTR did. Big Time Rush gave me an amazing childhood that I won’t forget and I will stand by them BTR Wins

julian reveiws • Jan 3, 2019 at 2:48 am

Big time rush for the win

Noelle • Jul 23, 2018 at 9:15 pm

this really didn’t bother me until I saw the last sentence.. big time rush is irrelevant??? are you freaking kidding me???? they’re not gonna be so unimportant when Kendalls new band takes over the world with their music and when the other band members do the same. fuck you. bye!

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10 Times Nickelodeon's 'Big Time Rush' Got Real About The Music Business

It ain't all roses, folks.

Nickelodeon's Big Time Rush was one of the network's most successful sitcoms, running from 2009 to 2013 and launching the titular band to fame. Made up of Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, Carlos Penavega, and Logan Henderson, the four played fictionalized versions of themselves on the show while performing as their real-life selves in the band.

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While Big Time Rush was recording songs, touring, and experiencing the ups and downs of the music industry, their characters were doing the same thing on the show. Following the band's rise to stardom, the show expanded on the ins and outs of the music business, getting real about several aspects that go along with it.

Creating And Splitting Up Groups

In the pilot episode of Big Time Rush titled "Big Time Audition," the four friends go to support James in his endeavor to be a popstar. When he auditions and gets denied, his best friend Kendall jumps on music producer Gustavo's desk and starts singing an obscene song before being dragged away by security. But it was that short song that made Gustavo see something in Kendall, who offered him a music deal, but without his three best friends.

In real life, the music industry holds tough auditions like this - as seen on American Idol or The Voice - and sometimes friends and groups get separated, while some get forced together, like in the case of One Direction on X Factor. Similar to BTR, 1D became an unexpected overnight sensation after being brought together as a band.

Young Performers Going To School

In "Big Time School of Roque," the boys must balance their new lives as popstars with the regular ones of teens going to high school. In their case, they must endure 10 hours of school a day, taught by their manager Gustavo, in between working on their music and choreography.

While it's generally an in-studio teacher doing the teaching rather than a manager, the same goes for real-life, young popstars. Any performer who is considered a minor must complete a minimum number of hours of school a day, regardless of their bustling careers.

The Bad Boy Appeal

Zayn Malik. Donnie Wahlberg. AJ McLean. JC Chasez. What they all have in common is their role in their respective boy bands. Each one was considered the "bad boy" of the band, and it's typical boy band formula to have one, along with a shy one, a young one, an older brother type, and a heartthrob.

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In "Big Time Bad Boy," the part falls on Kendall after their label head Griffin insists that Big Time Rush has a bad boy in order to broaden their appeal. It, of course, results in some chaos and comedy, and the band proves to Griffin that they're just as appealing without a bad boy.

The Demand For Love Songs

"Big Time Love Song" was the debut of BTR hit "Any Kind of Guy," which is first depicted as a slow ballad that Gustavo just can't perfect, despite Griffin demanding the band record a love song. In the end, the boys help turn the song into an upbeat bop as they sing about being any kind of guy their girl wants. The demand for love songs has always been very real in the music business, being a key seller for most artists.

While BTR never had a problem tackling love songs, several artists have rebelled against the idea. Long before she sang with Girls5Eva on the Peacock series, Sara Bareilles wrote her hit "Love Song" about her desire to not write a love song at the demand of her label, as she told Glamour . David Archuleta had a similar experience with his sophomore album in 2010, writing "his own love song" called "My Kind of Perfect" after his label insisted he have a love song on the album, as he explained in a Youtube video.

Live TV Shows

When Big Time Rush scores their very first appearance on a live morning show in Season 2 episode "Big Time Live," the experience ends before it begins when the band learns the show is running past their airtime and can no longer air their performance.

While BTR's antics to get their TV spot back probably don't happen in real life, it's not unusual for performances to be cut from live shows due to not having enough air time, which is generally why you'll often see the musical portion of a show at the end just before the credits roll.

British Invasions

While BTR sang plenty of songs by The Beatles in their television film Big Time Movie, it wasn't until Season 4 episode "Big Time Invasion" that the band experience the "British invasion," as it was dubbed in 1964 when "Beatlemania" began and again in 2012 when One Direction blew up in America.

The episode mocks the way British boy bands invade America when fictional British bands take over the music business, making Big Time Rush worry it would be the end of their career. Ironically, during BTR's 2012 headlining tour, it was One Direction who joined them as an opening act, causing 1D fans to take over the shows.

The Uncertainty Of A Record Deal

Some horror stories of the music business involve record labels dropping artists for various reasons. Some are dropped for insufficient sales, unwanted scandals, or even lack of talent, while some don't even get the chance to put out an album.

This happens to Big Time Rush in the Season 1 finale titled "Big Time Concert" when the band is gearing up for their album release when Griffin decides to cancel their album and tour, dropping them from the label and sending them back home to Minnesota.

Media Training

In "Big Time Blogger," Big Time Rush set out to impress a popular online music blogger whose critique could make or break their career. Gustavo decides to send the boys for media training, working with professionals who show them how to properly speak and act during an interview.

Media training happens every day for most popstars and well-known celebrities. While it can sometimes be taken as too robotic, most media training prepares people in the spotlight for the tough questions and the best ways to respond to pressing interviewers.

Reality Shows

Season 2 episode "Big Time Reality" tackles the interesting decision label heads make when they attempt to get their artists on television - not in musical guest appearances - but on reality shows. For Big Time Rush, their reality show ends in potential disaster when Griffin decides the viewers will vote a member out of the band, sending the boys into a frenzy in an attempt to get the show canceled.

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While reality shows centered around musicians may not get that dramatic, plenty of artists and bands have starred in their own reality shows as a promotional tactic. British boy band The Wanted appeared in one season of The Wanted Life, Ozzy Osbourne and his eclectic family got four seasons of The Osbournes, and Kevin Jonas starred alongside his wife Danielle Jonas in Married To Jonas for two seasons.

Crazy fans seem to come with the territory for famous musicians. Sometimes that involves attending dozens of concerts, believing you're going to marry the artist, or in some cases, even stalking. Singers like Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez and WILLOW all had stalkers arrive at their homes, according to Buzzfeed.

For Big Time Rush, it was a little less serious when they had their first encounter with crazy fans in the episode rightfully titled "Big Time Fans." Despite being advised not to give out personal information or make promises to fans, Carlos assures his hometown friend Jenny Tinkler that he can help her become a star when she shows up at their apartment, while James' identity is stolen by a young, obsessed fan.

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About One Direction

One Direction are an English-Irish pop boy band based in London, consisting of Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson.

Discography

Midnight memories.

Midnight Memories is the third studio album by English-Irish boy band One Direction, released on 25 November 2013 by Columbia Records, Syco Music and Sony Music. The album was described... Read More

Take Me Home

Take Me Home is the second studio album by British-Irish band One Direction, released on 9 November 2012 by Sony Music Entertainment. As a follow-up to One Direction’s internationally successful... Read More