video transcript

PLEASE NOTE: EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL. ROUGH CUT (NO REPORTER NARRATION) STORY: Britain's newest export is Simon Cowell's creation: boy band "One Direction." The five-member group -- made up of Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson -- was formed on the British version of the X-Factor in 2010 after each of them failed to make it on the show as solo artists. The judges placed the young men together, asking them to compete as a group. The members finished as the third runners up that season. One Direction's first single, "What Makes You Beautiful" became the fastest selling song of 2011 and also earned them a BRIT Award for Best British Single. The song also makes them the first UK group to have a record breaking debut song on the Billboard HOT 100 charts since the Spice Girls. Two years after Simon Cowell founded the group, the guys said he still has a massive influence. The band is currently touring the U.S. encountering swarms of adoring fans in their path. "We can't believe we've come over to the U.S. and, you know, we've got fans waiting outside our hotel and stuff, it's unbelievable, we never expected anything like this, the fans have been absolutely incredible," 19-year-old Payne told Reuters. Still adjusting to their newfound success, the singers were in shock over the turnout at a fan meet-and-greet Tuesday night (March 13). "There was about 5,000 people at this book singing yesterday, I actually turned to Louis and said, 'Can you actually believe what was happening right now? All these people have shown up for us.' You just get those little moments ever so often that just make you feel really, really happy and grateful for what you doing," said Payne. "Obviously because things move so fast, you kind of just go with it, but if you just take yourself out of the bubble for a second and just look at it, it's amazing. Very, very lucky to have what we've got," added 21-year-old Louis Tomlinson. Harry Styles, 19, said the group is basically living out their dreams. Toward the end of the interview, the guys were game to tackle some rapid-fire questions about themselves. Harry proudly took the title of ladies' man, while Louis had no problem admitting to his sloppy lifestyle. After all the fun and games are done, the members of One Direction have their sights set on one goal. "With the album being out, we'd love nothing more for the album to go number one, but we're just hoping for the best really. It's amazing to even be on the charts out here so, we're just really grateful to be here," said Payne.