Did Harry Styles become Nicole Scherzinger’s boyfriend at one point? Apparently rumors have surfaced that the former Pussycat Doll and 1D singer hooked up while they were in the “X-Factor UK” where Lewis Hamilton’s ex was a guest judge and the latter was a contestant.

Wow, that news must have hit Directioners in the gut.

Hollywood Life revealed Harry Styles, then 19, allegedly had a secret affair with Lewis Hamilton’s ex, Nicole Scherzinger, who was 35 years old at that time — three years after they met in the “X-Factor UK.”

Back when One Direction was formed on the reality TV show, the Pussycat Doll alumna served as a guest judge alongside Simon Cowell. A source disclosed to The Sun that Harry Styles found Nicole Scherzinger, 16 years older than him, very appealing. However, their relationship started when Harry “matured and was a member of the world’s biggest band.” Apparently, the now 22-year-old has a penchant for older women as he was also linked to Caroline Flack, who is 14 years his senior.

According to the source, it was in the “X-Factor UK” finale 2013 when sparks flew between Harry Styles and Nicole Scherzinger and when they met up again in February 2014 at a Brits Awards, that’s where “it went down.”

The source added, “They were sitting next to each other, having lots to drink and wildly flirting. It was very clear there was an electric chemistry between them and something had gone on.”

Despite the circulating rumors that Harry Styles became her boyfriend, Nicole Scherzinger, who has yet to make a statement, seemed to be in a good mood as she and her friends enjoyed watching the Live Orchestra rendition of “Back to the Future” in New York’s Radio City Music Hall on Friday.

The former Pussycat Dolls lead vocalist was dressed down in a low-cut white top under a leather-sleeved coat paired with cropped pants. She completed her ensemble with a slip-on pumps, as per Daily Mail.

In the meantime, stuff.co.nz revealed that when Harry Styles and Nicole Scherzinger apparently had a fling in 2013, she was on a break with Formula One champion racer Lewis Hamilton with whom she has shared an on-again, off-again romance. Their relationship officially ended in February 2015.

What do you think of Harry Styles and Nicole Scherzinger’s love affair? Sound off below.