"The X Factor" Releases Never-Before-Seen Version of Harry Styles's Original Audition

It's been 12 years since we first set eyes on Harry Styles as a cheeky 16-year-old who auditioned for "The X Factor" with his rendition of Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely." Or so we thought. On July 30, "The X Factor" released a brand-new, never-before-seen extended version of his original audition, and it reveals he actually sang a completely different song at first.

Styles steps onto the stage in front of judges Louis Walsh, Nicole Scherzinger, and Simon Cowell and initially sings Train's "Hey, Soul Sister." After Cowell stops the music, he says: "I don't know whether it's the track that's throwing you, but can I hear something just you without any music?" Styles then goes on to perform the moment we've replayed too many times to admit as he sings "Isn't She Lovely" a cappella. While Walsh is unsure, stating that he is too young and inexperienced, Scherzinger and Cowell back our boy — and the rest is history.

This isn't all this extended clip reveals, either. In an adorable exchange with Cowell, Styles says, "My mum's always told me that I'm a good singer and so have my friends." When Cowell laughs that mums don't normally know best when it comes to singing, Styles charms again by saying, "That's what I mean, so I wanted to come and ask the from the people who know."

The "As It Was" singer also has a cute conversation about the bakery he works in, telling the judges that Viennese Fancies and Millionaire's Shortbread are the most popular treats he sells. It's clear that Styles's stage presence and confidence as a teen shine through, despite his slightly rocky vocals on the Train track.

This unseen footage follows the July 23 video that was unveiled by "The X Factor," which showed it was actually Scherzinger who took the lead in forming One Direction. "They're just too talented to get rid of; they've got the right look and charisma on stage. I think they'll be really great in a boy band together. They're like little stars. You can't get rid of little stars, so you put them all together," she says. Notably, this contradicts some of the comments Liam Payne made when he went on Logan Paul's podcast in May and said he heard that the band was formed around him.

Styles's success has seen him catapulted to superstardom. From the phenomenon of One Direction to No. 1 solo albums, Gucci fashion collections, and acting accolades, he's come a long way from that first audition. He might have just been knocked from the top stop in the Billboard 100 by Lizzo — and bought her flowers to congratulate her — but the 28-year-old's incredible achievements since "The X Factor" are second to none.

Watch the nostalgic video above.