Zara McDermott, recently single after her split with Sam Thompson, is now at the center of romance rumors linking her to former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson. Following their breakup announced in December 2024, fans have started speculating about the potential relationship after noticing subtle hints on social media.
Their intrigue escalated when they observed Louis Tomlinson and his sisters—Lottie, Daisy, and Phoebe—had all begun following Zara on Instagram. Meanwhile, Zara reciprocated by following all of Louis' sisters. This social media connection has provided fertile ground for speculation among fans about whether the two might be dating.
One Reddit user highlighted these developments, noting, "I've read a lot of rumors saying Louis is in a relationship with Zara McDermott. They recently started following each other on Instagram. She follows all of his sisters, and they follow her back." While the user cautioned, "Obviously, following someone on Instagram doesn't mean they're in a relationship," they expressed concern over how quickly rumors can escalate, particularly with Louis holding a concert in London on March 10, 2025, where fans expected to see either Zara or at least some form of confirmation about their speculation.
Not all speculation was positive. Many fans dismissed the rumors as mere conjecture. One user commented, "I’m seeing lots of people saying they think they are dating just because he followed her? Weird! I’m sure he follows many people." Another voiced skepticism, stating, "Yesterday, people were saying, ‘Watch. She will be at his show today.’ I haven’t seen any evidence of it, and he said he has no time for anyone from Love Island."
Some supporters proposed another theory—one based not on romance but professional ties. Some highlighted Zara's background in documentaries, speculating she might be involved with a potential project about the Tomlinson family. A user noted, "I think there is going to be a documentary about the Tomlinsons aiming to create something like England’s version of the Kardashians. Zara has worked on documentaries; she might be part of this one."
The timing of this speculation also raised eyebrows, particularly since Louis has been publicly single for three years. Could this be part of a publicity stunt? The cynical among fans wondered whether this possible romance was calculated to generate buzz as he prepares to launch new music. One user suggested, "Also, we're overdue for one of Louis’ stunts; he may just want to be seen with someone to boost album sales before going on tour and then break up afterward."
Adding another layer to this narrative is Zara’s advocacy work surrounding the issues of revenge porn, which led to recent legal changes making it illegal to threaten to share images without someone's consent. Speculation arose over whether her social media interactions are connected to her campaign. One follower mentioned, "I’ve heard there might be a documentary related to Zara’s work around the law change due to her own experiences with revenge porn, which could tie her activities to the Tomlinsons."
Meanwhile, Sam Thompson, who has kept relatively silent about the breakup, seemingly addressed it positively via social media, stating, "Today's gonna be great!" on the same day Louis performed at his concert. Comments on his demeanor have varied; some fans expressed concern, noting he seemed low during recent podcast recordings, and many were eager for insight about his thoughts on Zara's rumors.
Despite the nursing heartbreak, fans seem to stay engaged with both Zara and Sam’s separate journeys—wondering not just about their past relationship but about their future steps as well. Zara's next move remains uncertain, especially following her significant five-year relationship with Sam, who feels equally uncertain about how to proceed, focusing instead on his podcast and other projects.
The question remains: will any sightings or social media activity from the concert confirm the rumors swirling around Zara and Louis? Just as fans were left simmering with hope and intrigue, the internet buzzes with anticipation for any hint of reality behind the glamour and speculation. Will Zara make her appearance at the concert or post anything online? Or will this fade just as quickly as it sparked, dissipated by the very nature of celebrity culture and our insatiable curiosity about who connects with whom within the throbbing heart of the entertainment industry? Time will tell.