For Taylor Curl, a Texas local and lifelong One Direction fan, one unforgettable moment from a 2014 concert has become a cherished memory — and it’s all thanks to a towel once held by Harry Styles.
Curl first discovered One Direction in 2011, and from that moment on, she was hooked. The British boy band — featuring Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson — captivated her with their music, charm, and genuine love for their fans.
“They stood out to me because they seemed like real, normal people just living out their dreams together,” Curl told us “From the start, they always showed they cared about their fans, and that felt really special.”
On September 21, 2014, Curl finally saw One Direction perform live during their Where We Are tour stop at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. Sitting in the front row with her family, she recalls Styles waving at them multiple times throughout the show, making their night unforgettable.
But the real surprise came during the final song, Best Song Ever.
“Harry picked up a towel, walked over to us, and threw it right at me and my sister,” Curl recalled. “We couldn’t believe it! Our whole family was freaking out. It felt like he wanted to make sure we had the best time — and we definitely did.”
The moment felt surreal, but the towel became a treasured keepsake. Immediately after the concert, Curl carefully placed it in a bag to keep it safe. For a while, she displayed it draped over the shoulder of a cardboard cutout of Styles. However, after moving houses, she decided to store it away to prevent any damage.
“I keep it in a bin with my other One Direction merch now,” Curl explained. “I’d like to keep it protected and in good condition. It’s probably the rarest merch item I own.”
Recently, Curl decided to revisit her special memory by sharing the story on TikTok — and it quickly went viral. The video racked up over 460,000 views and 500 comments, with fans flooding her post with reactions.
“I never thought so many people would find it interesting,” Curl said. “A lot of people commented that they had caught towels or water bottles at One Direction concerts too — I had no idea it was so common! Some people even joked that I should lock my doors.”
For Curl, the towel represents more than just a concert souvenir — it’s a reminder of how thoughtful and engaging Styles has always been with his fans.
“I hope my story shows people that Harry is incredibly kind and generous to his fans,” she said. “He always creates such a safe and welcoming space at his shows.”
If she ever gets the chance to meet Styles, Curl already knows what she’d say.
“I’d love to thank him for being himself and for creating such a positive impact on so many people,” she shared. “I’d also ask what inspired him to throw the towel to us that night — and what his favorite part of touring is.”
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