Niall Horan has responded to Love Island USA contestant Zacharias “Zach” Georgiou after the reality star revealed he uses One Direction as a conversation starter when speaking to women. Georgiou, who appears in Season 8 of the dating series, said on the show that referencing the former boy band is part of his approach when trying to make a connection in the villa.
Georgiou’s One Direction Strategy
“If I'm talking to a girl, I do always bring up One Direction 'cause it always works,” he said. He also admitted his appreciation for the group, adding, “But it's real, I do actually love them,” and noted that he often surprises people with his knowledge of the band.
The contestant further revealed his personal ranking of the group’s members, naming Zayn Malik as his favourite, followed by Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and the late Liam Payne.
Horan’s Reaction
Horan addressed the comments in a recent interview clip shared on TikTok, reacting to the claim that One Direction helps Georgiou with flirting. “God almighty, I hope that works for him,” Horan said in response. “That's all I can say on that, to be honest.”
Georgiou’s Dating Background
Georgiou’s comments were made during his introduction on the Peacock dating series, where he also spoke about his dating history and what he is looking for in a partner. He said he had been single for more than three years following a four-year relationship, adding, “But then I think the love just faded out.”
The Islander described his ideal match as a “fun, cool American girl” and added a personal requirement regarding pets, stating, “My girlfriend needs to love my cat or else she's out the door, 100 percent.”
Georgiou also said he is looking for a long-term relationship, rather than short-term romance, as he continues his time on the show. New episodes of Love Island USA continue airing on Peacock.
