Carlos PenaVega recently reflected on his experience touring nationally with Big Time Rush and the challenges they faced with One Direction as their opening act. PenaVega, a member of the American pop group alongside Kendall Schmidt, James Maslow, and Logan Henderson, shared insights on the Better With U Tour in 2012.
He revealed that having One Direction as their openers proved to be difficult, as fans outside the theater would chant for the British boy band after their shows. PenaVega mentioned that Big Time Rush's tour was already sold out before One Direction joined, but the sudden rise in global popularity of the British group created a frenzy among fans.
Despite One Direction's attempt to reciprocate the gesture by offering Big Time Rush an opening slot in the U.K., PenaVega admitted that their egos got in the way at the time. Reflecting on their decision, he acknowledged that they were young and struggled to manage their egos.
The Better With U Tour marked Big Time Rush's first national tour following the release of their second studio album, 'Elevate,' in 2011. It was a significant milestone for the group as they traveled across the U.S. and Canada, introducing their music to a wider audience.
For One Direction, the tour provided them with a platform to showcase their talent in the U.S. as they transitioned from performing in the U.K. and Ireland to captivating American audiences. Subsequently, One Direction embarked on their headlining Up All Night Tour in North America.
While One Direction went on hiatus in 2016 and has yet to reunite for a live performance, Big Time Rush made a comeback in 2021 with a series of shows and released their fourth studio album, 'Another Life,' in 2023.
