Harry Styles on 'X Factor' Was the Cutest

One Direction is so ridiculously huge right now that it's easy to forget where they started: The UK's X Factor. Even more astonishing? They didn't even win. Although the guys met and competed together on The X Factor , they were eventually eliminated, but obviously, they didn't let their loss stop them. They went on to become one of the biggest boy bands in the world, proving that what reality show voters and judges think doesn't always hold water in the real world. And if you ask me, some of the best videos on YouTube involve Harry Styles on X Factor , because he was adorable.

When Styles was competing on the show with his bandmates, he was 16 years old, had the curliest hair ever, and was a sweet, shy teenager who went to high school and worked at a bakery in his hometown. He had insane talent, a dream, and the power to make millions of people swoon, even oceans away. And although his days on X Factor are not nearly as adorable as these throwback pics from Styles' childhood, they come pretty darn close. You're probably going to want to cancel your plans for the rest of the day, because once you start watching these videos, you're not going to want to stop.

The Audition

He sings Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely," and it's ridiculous how good his voice is, even when he was so young. And you have to love his family in their t-shirts, rooting him on.

Harry is the Mole

Styles goes undercover to find out which X Factor contestant is the most vain, which means he's snooping around their rooms, looking for beauty products, and trying on hats. Little did he know, he would grow up to own every hat imaginable.

All of Harry's Solos

If there's ever a time to sit and cry because a total stranger has come so far from where they've started, this would be it. Styles has more talent in his little finger than a lot of people have in their whole body. How could he get voted off?!

Harry Does X Factor Bootcamp

He sings Oasis' "Stop Crying Your Heart Out" and talks about what his dream of being a singer means to him. No, I'm not crying again. Someone must be cutting onions.

One Direction Gets Voted Off

They made it to the finals, but they didn't win. How is this even possible? Nicole Scherzinger, I blame you.

Harry Cries

...And the world cries with him. Also featured: a tearful Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and their coordinating Justin Bieber haircuts.