Michael Louis Vincent Walsh (also known as Louis Walsh) is an Irish entertainment manager and judge on The X Factor (UK).
Band Manager
In the 1990s, Walsh decided to create an Irish version of Take That, which the papers picked up on when Walsh advertised the open auditions. The band created was Boyzone, whom Walsh managed to international success achieving 16 top three singles, six of which were number ones, as well as four number one albums, selling more than 20 million copies worldwide.
When Ronan Keating announced he wanted to take a break from Boyzone, Walsh continued to manage his career. Keating achieved a number one hit with "Life Is a Rollercoaster" in 2000 while his album sold 4.4 million copies. Keating and Walsh later agreed to part company as Keating's solo career reached an all-time high. Walsh then went back to the boy band formula to create Westlife, which Keating co-managed with Walsh for the first couple of Westlife's number one singles and albums.
Despite an earlier bitter feud, Walsh had a public reconciliation with Boyzone, including Ronan Keating, on the ITV2 programme Ghosthunting With... Louis Walsh and Boyzone in which they explored a network of subterranean streets beneath Edinburgh.
In December 2012, he became Union J's manager.
Relationship with One Direction
2010 - 2014
As a judge during the seventh series of The X Factor, Walsh was partially responsible for helping form One Direction. In the groups initial solo auditions, Walsh doubted Harry Styles was ready for the competition, but said "yes" to Liam, Niall, Louis and Zayn.
He later stated "They were good solo stars but they weren’t solo winners. Simon, Nicole and me made the final choice on the line-up, so I’m going to claim a bit of the credit. But Simon pressed the buttons to make One Direction happen worldwide"[1].
Groups and Performers managed by Walsh
- Boyzone (1993-2008)
- Westlife (1998-2012)
- Samantha Mumba (2000-2002)
- Ronan Keating (2000-03,08)
- Bellefire (1999–2004)
- Six (2001-02)
- Girls Aloud (2002)
- G4 (2004-07)
- Shayne Ward (2005-09)
- Jedward (2009–13)
- Wonderland (2010–11)
- Union J (2013–2015)
- Shane Filan (2012–present)
- Myles and Connor (2012–present)
- Hometown (2013–present)
Awards and Honors
- 2009 Mayo Person of the Year