This One Direction Stan's Heartfelt Academic Speech About 1D Will Make You CHEER

With fan accounts on social media and fandom communities gathered online, stan culture might seem held to the world wide web. Yet some days, stanning crosses over into real life, and that's where the real magic happens.


That's the case for Mallory, a college student at Utah Valley University, whose video of her giving a speech in her public speaking class has speedily gone viral. The topic? One Direction -- and the ways the musical group has shaped her life the last six years.

Mallory's task wasn't specifically to give a speech about One Direction, but since she was supposed to give an introductory speech in class, it only made sense. "I figured I would talk about the thing I’m most enthusiastic about," Mallory told TRL over direct messages, "so people can get to know me best."


Speaking about One Direction served as a genuine introduction for Mallory, who's been a fan of the musical group for over six years. She even know the exact date she fell in love: March 16, 2012.


"It was 3 days soon after their Up All Night album was released In the
U.S. Mallory recalls to TRL about whenever she discovered One Direction. "It literally happened in one night, I watched the video for 'What Makes You Pretty and then I watched funny moments, music videos and video diaries for about 5 hours with my older sister."

Mallory said how she's stanned One Direction before and immediately after Zayn left the order, and why she's supporting the gentlemen solo careers while in the band's hiatus. That's because, like Mallory says at the starting of the speech, "One Direction is a lot more than just a band."


In life's more challenging moments, "I turn to the family member that has habitually been there for me. The 1D family member Mallory told TRL. "The fans have been my best companions and my sisters. I actually met my best friend at a Niall Horan concert!"


Nevertheless it's also the closeness that One Direction fans feel with the males that makes them more than a musical group. From being updated to the males day-to-day activities and watching them grow since their inception, Mallory explains, "it’s like they’re my best companions. And while you begin thinking of these as best companions, the impact they can have on you for 6 years can actually shape your life."


With over 10,000 retweets, Mallory's speech has even noticed its way onto Instagram meme accounts. Unexpected because the online reaction has been, she noticed herself encouraged by the feedback from her classmates, too.


"I received a number of high fives on the way back to my seat, even from 22 year old guys who got up and gave their speech about barbecue," Mallory told TRL. "A few people even stopped me in the hallway to tell me that I crushed it. Honestly, the reaction has been absolutely incredible."


Mallory is bridging gap between the world wide web and IRL for stan culture, so it's encouraging to be able to see so much love and praise for her speech. From all the eye, she's got a message to share: don't "be afraid to share your passions -- even if they seem embarrassing."