Harry Styles' New Direction

With his featured role in the WWII drama Dunkirk, Harry Styles joins the storied ranks of musicians turned actors.

Whether he winds up a curiosity like Mick Jagger or an Oscar winner like Frank Sinatra is anybody’s guess, but the early signs are promising: Dunkirk director Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight) has high praise for both Harry’s charisma and the “truthfulness and subtlety” in his acting. The 23-year-old former One Direction star, whose busy year also includes an upcoming tour to support his eponymous solo album, talks about losing his beloved locks, conquering his nerves and feeling the weight of history.

You caused quite a stir when you chopped off your long hair for Dunkirk. Was that hard for you?

It was a small sacrifice to make. I just felt a little breezy behind the ears in the beginning.