McDon't Rollout Timeline
Here, let's simplify the timeline for those of you having a hard time staying caught up with the tug-of-war that appears to be going on. I'll keep my analysis to a minimum and let the facts speak for themselves, but I doooooooo have thoughts on these "coincidences." 👀
December 2024
December 21st, 2024
Louis randomly checks in on us on Twitter. No chat. Just: "Hope everyone’s doing alright! Have a good day"
December 25th, 2024
Sam and Zara spend Christmas separately, but Zara shows off gifts between the two of them on social media.
Zara reposts a TikTok saying: "When you still go to your own family Christmases" (implying they were only apart because they chose to spend Christmas with their separate families).
December 31st, 2024
Louis does a pub crawl in Doncaster wearing a Pleasures cardigan that says: "What happened to you? What happened to me? Pleasures is pain."
The tag for the cardigan says: "I can't have the one that I want."
Articles come out about Zara and Sam officially being over. Her "friends" say: "Things have been tricky for her the past 18 months."
January 2025
Sometime in January
The celebrity scout responsible for connecting Zara to Strictly Come Dancing is hired as the scout for SoccerAid.
January 4th, 2025
Tabloid articles report Zara spending NYE in Paris. Sources say: "She just wants to try to focus on work and get herself together."
January 13th, 2025 (approximately)
Harry is spotted in Germany.
January 21st, 2025
Jade Thirlwall (PR by Simon Jones) says on a podcast that Harry ghosted her after a date back in 2010.
January 28th, 2025
Louis tweets: "Hope everyone’s doing alright!" and "Big year incoming!"
January 29th, 2025
Louis attends Zayn's LA show and leaves with him.
January 30th, 2025
Despite multiple rumors and the event showcasing nearly everyone on the A*off roster, Harry does not attend FireAid.
January 31st, 2025
Walls 5th anniversary promo from Sony. However, merch is distributed through LT Merch.
February 2025
February 1st and 3rd, 2025
Harry is in Rome with Alessandro for his birthday. Rumors swirl about him and a woman with long brunette hair.
February 1st–27th, 2025
Zara is filming in Thailand.
February 3rd, 2025
Louis re-uploads Two of Us Acoustic to his YouTube but leaves off the Sony/Syco copyright.
The original version stays listed.
February 6th, 2025
Louis is in New Orleans for the Super Bowl. He goes to bars wearing a German football club jersey and posts a picture of a dartboard.
On the same day, Pleasing posts their Valentine’s Day Instagram reel featuring darts and two fish named Romeo and Julio.
February 7th, 2025
For a Super Bowl pre-party, Louis wears an "Endless Runner" shirt.
February 8th–9th, 2025
Harry is back in Berlin.
February 9th, 2025
Louis attends the Super Bowl (possibly as an ambassador for NFL UK).
February 15th, 2025
A user discovers Louis’ profile on Raya (a dating app for celebrities and influencers). This makes the tabloids.
February 18th, 2025
Louis follows Zara on Instagram.
February 26th, 2025
Articles emerge about Harry’s companies being behind in tax filings. (Note: As of this post, they are still behind, but the strike has been removed. It is normal and nothing to panic over.)
February 27th, 2025
Zara wraps filming in Thailand.
An article drops claiming that Harry’s team told him not to associate with the band. "A source told The Sun: 'Thousands of hours of blood, sweat and tears have gone into making Harry a superstar and he has spent a decade getting to a place of respect and legitimacy in the music business. He has won awards and hit new heights away from the band. Any return would be a major step back. Harry knows it already but his team have been very clear that it would be a bad idea at any point in the foreseeable future.'"
February 28th, 2025
Louis tweets 28 and hosts a launch party for the latest 28 drop.
This drop is handled much differently than previous ones:
Tons of PR around it.
A physical launch.
Journalists are invited to attend.
Interviews are done.
Louis finally admits that he remembers his tattoos were obtained to mark specific memories.
He also says clothes hold memories and likens them to his tattoos.
Dirty Blonde plays a set.
March 1st, 2025
Zara attends the Brits. Louis likes her photo.
Articles emerge about Zara being "cozied up" with Lucien Laviscount.
Louis announces a surprise pop-up show on March 6th with Dirty Blonde as the opening act. The show will support Music Venue Trust.
March 1st–4th, 2025
Harry runs the Tokyo Marathon! He is later pictured in Tokyo with friends.
March 4th, 2025
Harry is announced to be taking part in Live Odyssey to support Music Venue Trust.
March 6th, 2025
Zara appears on Loose Women to discuss her documentary.
Harry returns to London and is photographed in Soho just hours before Louis' show.
Louis performs the pop-up show in Brixton.
March 7th, 2025
Louis flies to India.
Articles begin swirling about Harry being in talks to perform a residency at The Sphere.
March 8th, 2025
Zara and Harry are seen in the same box at the Sabrina Carpenter concert at the O2 in London (with Rchel Chnouriri).
Louis likes R*chel's Instagram post about the concert.
March 9th, 2025
Louis is photographed wearing a Yohji Yamamoto x NEIGHBORHOOD T-Shirt (a piece from the WILDSIDE Yohji Yamamoto store, designed by Kunichi Nomura) and Dries Van Noten Printed Swim Shorts during an interview.
He comments that he sees everything online from a "bird's eye view."
Zara joins the live stream of a well-known Larrie.
March 10th, 2025
Tabloid articles claim fans suspect Zara and Louis are dating.
Note: All quotes are pulled from a Larry subreddit. No other sources or information online connect the two at this point.
Louis and Sam are both announced as participants in Soccer Aid.
March 11th, 2025
Tabloids speculate about a possible Soccer Aid rivalry between Sam and Louis, based entirely on the Reddit theory article about Zara and Louis.
Articles note Louis and Zara liking each other's photos on Instagram.
Harry is seen in Rome.
(I don’t blame you, babes. Get out of town during all this. Go to some art shows with your friends and let it die down before you come home.)
March 12th, 2025
Articles claim Zara purchased a new house in the same neighborhood as Sam.
The London Standard releases an article about Louis' February 28th 28 fashion drop.
The fashion brand is ridiculed, Louis is painted in a bad light, and the journalist includes quote that will later be circulated by every single media outlet possible: "I am told sternly before we sit down to, please, forgo any questions on the topic. ‘The Sun has been running a story that the boys are going to reunite at the Brits for Liam,’ a PR manager tells me. ‘Louis just despairs. He could never get up there and sing as part of the band after what has happened.’ One Direction did not perform during the awards, which took place the night after our interview."
March 13th, 2025
Harry's team denies the Sphere residency rumors.
March 16th, 2025
Articles somehow link Harry and Taylor S*ift again.
March 17th, 2025
Articles surface about Harry "not being over" Oivia Wide.
Sam appears on a podcast and makes comments seemingly shading Zara: "A lot of people look for validation in other people and they look for the next person instantly . . . It's like, 'I need to find someone else to fill that hole and I need to find that excitement.'"
Late that night, The Sun releases a paid article with three blurry photos of Zara and Louis at a restaurant.
The article claims Louis took time to take photos with fans, but no fan photos have been released.
The photos appear to have been taken from outside, peering through a window by the rubbish bins.
Fans point out several inconsistencies:
For a millionaire, the date seems cheap.
For someone who values privacy and can stay completely off the radar for months, it’s strange to be photographed.
Zara was just seen "loved up" with someone else at the Brits.
March 18th, 2025 (This was a big news day, so buckle up!)
The Daily Mail picks up the restaurant story and finds a "source" to address fans' doubts: "They have only been together a short time, but they clearly get on really well and are enjoying one another's company. They didn't want it to come out this soon – and didn't think it would. Louis made sure they went somewhere understated in the hope that they wouldn't be seen. He is an expert [at staying anonymous], and has been photographed relentlessly since he was a teenager."
Additional articles include:
A source close to Zara says about Sam: "He's a loose cannon, as we saw with his comments so soon after Zara's relationship was made public. It's really quite pathetic of him. It feels like it always has to be about him." "Zara put a lot into her relationship with Sam: she did everything she could to make it work for five years, but in the end, she just couldn't."
Information claiming Zara and Louis have been dating for "two and a half weeks" (putting the start of their relationship around March 1st).
A "former colleague" of Louis says: "This is so lovely for Louis. Liam dying really hit him hard. He was still close to him, so that was a very difficult time. Louis thought of Liam as a brother, and the circumstances around his death were just awful." "Louis has had an unfair amount of grief to deal with – so those around him have been really hoping he would find someone to settle down with. It's great that Zara understands fame like he does. Watch this space." (Note: "Watch this space" is a call to action, hinting at more stories from The Sun.)
Articles reissue claims that Zara's new house is a "love nest."
Direct quotes: "She bought it two weeks ago under her company name. It’s a two-bed flat in a nice area and, weirdly, not that far from where she lived with Sam." "Earlier this month, Zara set tongues wagging with Lucien Laviscount after they were spotted getting cozy at the BRIT Awards."
An article about Sam holding "no hard feelings toward Louis" drops: "When he meets Louis at Soccer Aid, he'll treat him like any other teammate. There's no bad blood," the source added.
An article claims Zara wants to become a pop star and is "using Louis to do so." "Her true passion—music—has taken a back seat." "A relationship with Louis would allow her to submerge herself into music and let her focus on her passion that she has neglected in recent years."
A note on this article. This is the first and only one to name the man Zara cheated on Sam with. "Formerly an International A&R Manager for Cowell’s label Syco, Zara’s ill-judged tryst with Fouradi hinted at her desire to fall for the bright lights and trappings of the music biz." (Note: I don't want to have to put this here but it's important. Fouradi is the X-Factor exec who SA'ed Katie Waisel in 2010.)
Articles about Louis insulting Love Island in the past start circulating.
The Daily Mail headline reads: "Louis Tomlinson reveals REAL feelings about Zara McDermott amid dating rumors"
The article focuses entirely on how Louis has expressed disdain for Love Island.
March 19th, 2025
Articles about Zara’s "glow-up," plastic surgery, and health journey start circulating.
The Daily Mail posts another article using only Reddit quotes about Zara being both a stunt and a Brexit supporter.
Quotes include: "I think it’s genuine" "Who knows, maybe Zara is his perfect partner."
Zara posts a video playing with her friend’s child.
Articles surface about Sam being back on dating apps after allegedly being blindsided by Zara’s romance.
March 20th, 2025
The Senior Editor of The Sun’s Bizarre (celebrity) column begins arguing with Larries on Twitter unprompted.
Without being tagged or contacted, he defends Zara and Louis, claiming: "Speculating about people’s sexuality can be harmful, and Zara and Louis are dating."
He likes a tweet that says: "As someone yawning with this whole charade, please know my DMs are open if anyone (especially newer Larries, but anyone really) is upset or freaking out."
An article is released claiming Sam’s sister Louise once went on a date with Niall and spent the night at Louis’ home.
A full article about One Direction "affairs" is published, including the alleged connection between Sam’s sister and Niall.
A previously released article from December resurfaces, claiming Zara (or her business) is now a millionaire.
March 21st, 2025
The Sun runs an article saying Zara and Sam have gained thousands of followers since the dating rumors, while Louis has lost 80k followers.
Another article claims Zara and Sam’s friends are "taking sides."
Yet another article speculates about a "rivalry" between Sam and Louis.
March 22nd, 2025
The Sun publishes an article about a reporter receiving death threats from One Direction fans.
No new information is provided—it’s an old story being resurfaced for no apparent reason.
March 23rd, 2025
The Sun runs two articles:
One about Sam’s "boys’ trip."
Another about Zara walking to the gym.
Both heavily reference her rumored date with Louis and how hard Sam is taking the breakup.
The Sun makes an error in an article, claiming Zara had "met Louis’ parents."
(Note: Louis’ mother passed in 2016, and his father is not in his life.)
The article is quickly corrected to say she met his "family": "Zara has already met all the family, and they can tell that she has made Louis giddy. It's the first time in a long time that they have seen him happy."
The source adds: "They think Zara is super wholesome and health-conscious, so they are happy he is with someone who shuns the party life." (Note: Over the past few years, Louis has mentioned doing yoga and eating more seafood—similar to Harry’s pescatarian diet and yoga practice. It seems like they need an explanation for this rather than the obvious.)
Sam’s Raya profile makes it into the tabloids.
March 24th, 2025
A letter signed by Harry (along with others, led by Ed Sheeran) urging the UK government to fund music education is released.
March 25th, 2025
Louis posts pictures from inside Real World Studios, where George Michael and Harry have previously recorded.
March 26th, 2025
A full minute-long clip of Harry’s Two Ghosts music video (from 2017) is leaked online. (Note: This isn’t the first leak, but it’s the longest one so far.)
March 28th, 2025
All of Those Voices begins uploading clips of the documentary to TikTok in small parts.
Originally planned as 14 parts, it’s later extended to 28 parts.
March 31st, 2025
The Sun runs an article on Briana and Freddie for the first time in years.
It’s an exclusive behind a paywall, featuring photos of Briana and Freddie grocery shopping (Freddie’s face is blurred).
The article appears to be sourced from Briana herself.
It mentions Briana was 28 when she got engaged to her former fiancé (unrelated) and posted: "10 years of knowing you, and I knew all along you were my soulmate. I love you!"
The article also notes she gave birth in 2016 at age 23—an inconsistency that fans pick up on immediately.
April 1st, 2025
On the third anniversary of As It Was, Louis posts “Favorite” by Fontaines D.C.—a song about loving someone for a long time despite all the changes around you. (Note: Harry is a huge Fontaines D.C. fan, attended their show, and celebrated their win at the 2024 BRITs.)
Louis posts an Instagram story of a guitar by a pool, which is deleted after 10 minutes.
Important details about the photo:
It was apparently taken in Malibu in October (before Liam passed).
The rental was unoccupied that day.
The guitar is covered in sharpie drawings, seemingly in Louis’ handwriting. Symbols include:
28, 1991 (his birth year), smiley faces with X’s for eyes, the anarchy symbol, 369, the Eye of Providence (also seen on Harry’s leather journal during 1D), a #5 tally mark (same as his tattoo), a skull, a tornado, the words why and yes, an asterisk, a question mark, and his initials, LT.
Zara posts pictures of her family holiday in Dubai.
April 2nd, 2025
The Sun releases an article titled: "Inside Louis Tomlinson’s unbreakable bond with the woman who has supported him through unthinkable tragedy – & it’s not Zara."
The article focuses on his sisters.
Louis likes an Instagram post by a random man with very few followers. The caption reads (in Spanish): "Silence can say or express much more 😎"
The man had accidentally tagged Zara instead of a company called Zara.
Louis’ like is removed after fans notice and post about it on Twitter.
Harry is papped walking around London.
Articles speculate about Sam growing close to another reality show star.
Don’t Worry Darling is released on Netflix.
All of Those Voices TikTok account uploads the 4:15 clip of Louis with Freddie from the documentary.
Briana unfollows Louis on Instagram.
April 3rd, 2025
Sam Thompson reveals he’s co-parenting cats he shared with Zara McDermott—while "growing close to" another reality star.
Harry is pictured in London again.
Louis tweets and chats with fans, sharing the following:
"Fountain DC" (spelled wrong, but clearly referencing Fontaines D.C.).
"We’re waiting for LT3 (his next album)" — "It’s cooking."
"Like medium rare or well done?" — "Medium rare. Cooked to perfection."
"Any hints/lyric tease from the album?" — "Yeah."
"Describe the vibes of the new album" — "Sunny." (Likely referencing the Malibu guitar photo.)
"High in California vibes?" — "Always."
"With a sprinkle of?" — "Chaos."
"Give me a word that you use in one of your songs." — "You." (Note: Back in 2017, Louis posted the word “Always” on Twitter and captioned an Instagram post with “you” at the same time—hinting at the song Always You. It seems like he’s referencing that here as well.)
"Are you feeling ready for Soccer Aid?" — "Not yet but I will be. Need alllllll the support I can get though." (Note: There are 7 L’s in this.)
"Any advice for a bad day?" — "Don’t just assume tomorrow will be a bad day too. Who knows what the future has in store for you!"
"Can we expect any collabs on this album?" — "I was hoping for one maybe, but nothing has come up yet that makes sense."
April 7th, 2025
Articles resurface about interviewer Dan Walker once receiving death threats from One Direction fans back in 2020.
(Note: These threats happened after he inappropriately grilled Louis about losing his mother and sister. No new information is provided, and there’s no apparent reason for this story to be resurrected now.)
Articles claim Harry is "deeply hurt" by Taylor R*ssell moving on.
April 8th, 2025 (US Time)
Louis posts an Instagram story from a Stereophonics concert.
The lyrics playing are from "Maybe Tomorrow," a song Louis once tweeted about in 2021.
The clip shows the lyrics: "Maybe tomorrow I'll find my way home."
Zara also posts an Instagram story from the same concert, tagging the band and the venue.
Articles report that Barnett has approved Harry’s long-planned renovations to merge his Hampstead Heath houses.
April 9th, 2025 (so far)
UK tabloids pick up on Louis and Zara’s Instagram stories about the concert.
They incorrectly use pictures from Zara’s recent Dubai holiday as if they were taken in LA.
Pap photos of Harry in London surface, showing him wearing Dries Van Noten Suede Sneakers.
An Instagram story from Kunichi Nomura shows Harry and Kunichi together in Tokyo in early March.
Articles about Olva W*lde began circulating, focusing on her role in a new episode of a TV show as a director caught in on-set drama reminiscent of the Don’t Worry Darling fiasco.
Louis’ sisters, Daisy and Phoebe, are announced as supporting members (not players) for Soccer Aid.
Final Thoughts as of Now
Reverse-Engineering the Narrative: PR Goals
Rebuild Louis’ Public Image
Focus on presenting Louis as approachable and mature, highlighting his journey of overcoming tragedies, fighting as the underdog, and being a responsible brother.
Shift public perception away from the "teeny-boybander" stereotype to a more grounded, independent artist.
Leverage a Fabricated Rivalry Between Louis and Sam
The supposed rivalry generates free publicity for Soccer Aid while positioning Louis as a central figure in the event.
Zara’s previous relationship with Sam adds layers of drama to keep the story alive.
Boost Zara’s Career
Zara benefits from the association with Louis, gaining access to his fanbase and increased media coverage.
The narrative about Zara wanting to become a pop star and Louis "helping her" aligns her with a larger career trajectory.
This arrangement also provides Louis’ PR team with a "safe" and heteronormative pairing to push.
Drive Engagement Through Easily Shareable Drama
Stories about blurry date photos, Zara buying a "love nest," Sam shading Zara, and the "rivalry" between Louis and Sam are classic tabloid tactics.
These stories spark online debates, generating clicks and keeping both Louis and Zara trending, even if the narrative feels contrived.
Negative attention (e.g., fans doubting the relationship) still serves its purpose by maintaining relevance for both parties.
Connect Harry to Every Ex-Girlfriend He’s Had
Articles linking Harry to Taylor S*ift, Oivia Wi*de, and others are a transparent attempt to push a heteronormative narrative.
Make One Direction Fans Look Dangerous and Irrational
Resurface old stories of "death threats" against journalists, like Dan Walker, and amplify fan theories as though they’re harmful.
This frames fans (especially Larries) as unhinged, discrediting their ability to question the PR narrative.
Expand Louis’ Appeal to a Broader Audience:
The association with Zara makes Louis more appealing to casual fans or those outside his core audience, particularly those who follow Zara’s reality TV background.
This helps Louis appeal to a more mainstream audience, positioning him as more than just a musician but as a cultural figure with crossover appeal.
Breaking the PR Narrative
The Tabloid Error About Zara "Meeting Louis’ Parents" (March 23rd)
The story originally claimed Zara met Louis’ parents, despite his mother passing away in 2016.
Timing of Leaks and Posts
Louis’ Instagram story posts (e.g., Fontaines D.C., the Malibu guitar) subtly allude to Harry rather than Zara.
Louis’ "Need alllllll the support" Tweet on April 3rd
7 L’s in this tweet.
Coordinated Symbolism with Clothing
On March 9th, Louis wears a Yohji Yamamoto x NEIGHBORHOOD shirt (from a store designed by Kunichi Nomura).
On April 9th, a photo surfaces of Harry with Kunichi in Tokyo, taken back in early March.
Louis Wearing the Endless Runner Shirt at the Super Bowl (February 6th)
Louis wears a shirt reading "Endless Runner" during a Super Bowl pre-party. Just days later (March 1st–4th), Harry runs the Tokyo Marathon.
Briana Unfollows Louis (April 2nd)
Briana unfollows Louis the same day All of Those Voices uploads a clip of Louis with Freddie to TikTok.
Briana and Freddie Article Inconsistencies (March 31st)
An article about Briana and Freddie mentions “She gave birth in 2016 when she and Louis were just 23 years old.” And then immediately mentions the caption of her old engagement post to ex-fiance (only 5 years later) “Briana was 28 at the time and wrote on Instagram. “10 years of knowing you and I knew all along you were my soulmate”. The timeline doesn’t add up, undermining the credibility of the story.
Yes, I left all of the blue-greening out of this because: A. There was a lot of it. B. I know several of us don't consider blue-greening signaling anymore.
A collection of sources:
Jade Thirlwall
Harry's team told him not to be associated with the band.
Harry runs the Tokyo marathon!
Harry being in talks to perform a residency at the Sphere.
Fans speculate about Louis/Zara
Articles about them liking each others photos on Instagram.
Harry's team denies the Sphere rumors.
Articles somehow weirdly link Harry and Taylor S*ift again.
Articles about Harry not being over O*ivia Wi*de.
The Sun releases an exclusive (paid) article
Spotted getting cosy at the BRIT Awards.
Zara wants to become a popstar
Articles about Louis insulting Love Island
Articles about Sam being back on dating apps after being blindsided by Zara's romance.
Another article about the rivalry between Sam and Louis.
Zara walking to the gym
Sam's Raya profile
A letter Harry signed
The Sun runs an article on Briana and Freddie
Inside Louis Tomlinson’s unbreakable bond with woman who has supported him through unthinkable tragedy – & it’s not Zara
Articles about Sam growing close to another reality show star.
Don't Worry Darling is released to Neflix.
Articles come out that interviewer Dan Walker once received death threats from One Direction fans back in 2020.
Article saying that Harry is deeply hurt by Taylor R*ssell moving on.
Articles are released saying that Barnett has approved Harry to merge the houses he has in Hamstead Heath and finally begin the renovations hes been planing for years.
UK tabloids pick up on the Instagram stories. They incorrectly use pictures of her recent Dubai holiday as pictures of her in LA.
Pap photos of Harry
Olv*a W*lde stars as an director caught in on-set drama reminicent of the DWD escapade in The Studio.
