Last night was pretty interesting at my house, since the 14-year-old daughter is an enormous One Direction fan. News of their breakup hit the internet hard, and I was afraid to inform her. She was on her iPad all evening, so the cries of anguish could have happened at any moment. This never happened because she was fixated on watching Pretty Little Liars. So she’ll probably find out at school tomorrow, which makes me a terrible mom. At this point, I’m simply thrilled not to have to deliver on taking her to a One Direction concert because — brace yourselves — the band has broken up.
Okay, 1D hasn’t officially split, but they will go their separate ways in March and will not tour for their fifth album. All of this may prove that the band couldn’t survive after Zayn Malik’s ultimate betrayal, but this was coming anyway. Zayn has been gloating over his new RCA deal as Louis Tomlinson grows distracted by his impending fatherhood. Meanwhile, Liam Payne isn’t happy being chased down the street. It will all be over soon:
A 1D source told The Sun: “The guys have been together for five years, which is an incredible run for any boyband. They fully deserve to have at least a year to work on their own projects. There is absolutely no bad blood between them and they are all 100 per cent behind the decision. It is definitely not a split and they fully intend to get back together at some time in the future.”
There is not to be a tour for the band’s fifth album and the shock news could mean their last full concert will be at Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena on October 31.
[From The Sun]
The Sun is usually pretty solid on One Direction news, as they have featured several exclusive interviews with the boys. The news has been confirmed by People, which states that there will be “at least a year long break.” Yeah, they’re not getting back together. Sorry, ladies. The 1D train will split to pursue solo careers. Everyone knows Harry Styles will be the Justin Timberlake of this group. Zayn may have secured a record deal, but he’s a bit too flaky to last in the industry. As for the rest of them, they’ll probably hit Celebrity Big Brother in a few years. Although feel free to tell me otherwise!
P.S. This is all Zayn’s fault.
Photos courtesy of WENN
I think it would have happened even if Zayn hadn’t have left. I don’t follow the band, but they seem pretty burnt out and exhausted. They’ve been almost continuously on the road for five years, is what I read.
Yeah, and the irony is, they’d started making more mature, rock oriented music that was getting some good reviews.
But Zayn has never been as in love with the whole 80s rock music like the other boys. He loved RnB music. That’s a big part of the reason he left. He didn’t like the music anymore.
They are calling this tour “On The Road Again”. Maybe I’m looking into it but that doesn’t sound like a good name for a tour. Sounds more like yup no breaks, on the road again.
..or a Willie Nelson song 😉
Yeah, this. These guys were teenagers and had to sacrifice that carefree time to become a very rigidly controlled entity for five years. They made a lot of money and probably had a lot of fun, but it was undoubtedly a lot of work too. These guys probably *do* need a serious mental health break.
I guess that if their solo careers will be big busts, they will probably reunite to continue milking the cow. Or at least Simon will persuade them. Same happened with the band Blue – they all went for solo careers and – nothing happened, so they are/were? together again.
Omg don’t even talk to me about Blue because they are on par with the Backstreet Boys for me and are certainly my favorite UK boyband. Are they really back together? Heard something about Eurovision but not quite sure what came of that…. i still jam their stuff every now and then though.
They were determined to do GB proud at Eurovision and said they’d emigrate if they didn’t win.
Spoiler – they didn’t win. Their entry wasn’t actually too bad, but I just don’t think the UK cares enough to put the same effort in as the always dominant Sweden.
Back on topic – there’s no way I’m going on tumblr today.
The stans have already started abusing the journalist who got the exclusive through Instagram.
Some of the fans are suggesting that this ‘break’ is a way of getting rid of Simon, since their contract with him runs out in March 2016. Once that’s done, whoever is left in the band can sign with different management.
lol The only people saying this are Larries and they are on another level of being delusional.
Liam and Louis have started production company’s and have said they don’t want to sing anymore. They want to write and be behind the scenes. I think the other 2 that are left will want to sing but I think on Harry will be successful. The blond ones like bland wallpaper. I know all this because my 11 year old niece is obsessed. We are in a different time zone and were asleep when the news came out. I called her when she got home from school and there were tears and lots of whys and how’s. I tried my best to assure her that they would all be happy.
Wow we all totally saw this coming a mile away.
The E! True Hollywood Story on these boys will hit sooner than i thought though because at least two of those boys will crash and burn within 3 years. I’m calling it.
They still do the E True Hollywood Story?
Yeah.. I’m curious to see a post-1D career for a couple of these. What will Louis do? Be known for fatherhood? Harry seems like the career artist..maybe one more of them will surprise us, but not likely.
Truly, this is what they all originally wanted. When they auditioned for X-Factor, they did it as solo artists, then Simon (smartly) put the boys together. It doesn’t seem like a huge stretch to think they’d want to try making a go of individual solo careers, now.
I don’t know how well any of them will do on their own. My guess is that Harry & Zayn will do okay. And perhaps even Niall, if he’s marketed correctly. Louis and the other guy, not so much. The groupie who is carrying Louis’ baby is probably a little ticked right now.
By the way, my 11-year-old daughter is fine with this ‘break up/break’. She didn’t think they’d do well without Zayn, anyway.
WTF is with the kid’s hair in the header picture? He looks like some kid from 1987 that decided that Bon Jovi idolization was the way to get chicks and that’s what he wound up going into junior high school looking like. Seriously, it’s kinda comical.
Zayn was only special as long as he was labelled “the one that left 1D”.
Now that 1D is gone his nemesis is gone too and he’ll have to survive on his own. Not to mention that with all the 1D members going solo he’ll have serious competition.
I’m also betting on Harry Styles.
Oh no…. we have tickets to their concert this week as my daughter (12) is also a big fan. I’m afraid to tell her…
Styles has talent and stage presence, but I don’t know if he has the drive and ego to be a Timberlake. He seems pretty laid-back and quite frankly a bit of a homebody. I see him as a Dad soon.
Anyway, sad this breakup came after their very good recent video, filmed at NASA. If you’re into space stuff or have kids who are, check it out.
I think Harry has the ambition and drive but I don’t think he has Timberlake’s ego. Harry hasn’t been quietly making associations with major players in the music business for nothing.
I think he’ll go about things in his own way, like he often has. He won’t be as transparently desperate and nasty as Timberlake was for solo success. But I do think Harry will have success in whatever he decides to do next.
Exactly, Harry was born for this. He’s done a lot of things behind the scenes to get his career off the ground. I can’t wait for his solo career to see what he does. He has such potential.
He can be equally driven and more laid back than JT and still be widely successful. Many singer-songwriters are that way. Driven, but chill…John Mayer, Keith Urban, Ed Sheeran, and more fresh, James Bay.
I read that Louis is getting an offer as the X factor judge. I think he’d have a good career as a TV personality, as he knows he won’t make it as a solo artist. I really hope Harry goes solo or just works as a writer/producer, as the article states he wants to pursue acting and I can’t imagine that going well for him.
I remember the screams of terror and gnashing of teeth when N*Sync took a “break”. Not from me–I was more upset Dru Hill had broken up but I think that was a cultural difference LOL
Still, young people of the internet, it will be ok. You will endure. And you will look back on this moment with some sadness, a bit of fondness, and a smidgen of embarrassment.
Dru Hill *sniff*. Those guys had some spectacular harmonies but Sisqo was the real star.
“Somebody’s sleeping in my bed”.
As for 1D, I’ve no feelings about this since I don’t know any songs. I only know Harry because of Swifty and Zayn because he left. If they market themselves well, they could come back like Take That.
But isn’t that always the way with these boy band types? One leaves to pursue solo passions, which sparks everyone else going their own ways. Inevitably, only one will have any real success as a solo and the rest fade into obscurity. This isn’t shocking. They’re following the model to a T.
As Simon laughs all the way to the bank..he was genius to put them together and manage them the way he has.
Niall and Louis can’t sing. Liam and Zayn carried them for years. I’m interested in how the fifth album is going to turn out. Sure Zayn didn’t really bring personality, but he always had vocals. The other guys have really struggled to sing his parts in concert. The amount they had Niall and Louis sing in “Drag me Down” was paiful. I had to relisten to “Rock Me”, “You and I”, “Best Song Ever” and “Kiss You” to cleanse myself. Liam/Zayn/Harry harmonizing is really *heart eyes emoji* The only vocalist in the band are Harry, Zayn and Liam. Niall and Louis had charm. Harry is the only one with both singing ability and charm. He’ll be okay.
Louis can sing within a teeny-tiny range, and when they write songs for precisely that range, he does OK. Otherwise, you’re right – he’s unlistenable. He’s a jokester though and will do fine as a TV personality.
Listen to No Control, Louis sings most of the song and it is really quite good.
Song writing wise Louis writes a ton and has the most credits on their albums along with Liam.
Niall is huge into sports, He caddied for Rory McElroy for a day at the Masters, Football (soccer) and fighting, he seems the one who has the most interests outside of the band. Along with Harry his personality is infectious, if marketed correctly he could do well.
Louis will probably go the song writer/producer angle.
Liam to me he is always just kind of there. I know he also writes a lot, but I just don’t see him going solo.
It would not surprise me if they are using the hiatus to get out from Syco. Everything I have read about Simon is not very flattering. He is the ultimate micro manager and every decision, song release, bathroom breaks he has a hand in.
I blame my daughter for knowing this much about a boy band, but honestly their last album was very good. Mature, more of a rock vibe, moving away form the bubble gum pop songs.
I love Louis’ writing. He’s written some of my favorite songs (Little White Lies, Strong, Midnight Memories). He’s just can’t carry a tune. It’s an accepted fact among fans. Any Liam verse always had Liam and/or Zayn backing him. You can hear it clearly on Drag Me Down. Niall and Lous’ voice sound unpleasant. Liam is talented, but he can’t make Niall and Louis’ voice listenable.
Louis has just started a record company. He discovered 5 Seconds Of Summer. He’s probably going to judge X-Factor. He wants to be Simon Jr. I do think he’s a talented writer, and a good talent manager.
Inevitable. Saw this one coming from a mile away. I’m no 1D fan but I imagine they’re burnt out and exhausted. Harry is the only one I see doing well on his own–the other three, not so much. Zayn actually might have a chance if he got his crap together.
Harry seems to be losing his looks quite fast though so ot makes sense to go solo sooner rather than later.
Oh no you didn’t! You may want to run while you can, the 1D girls will chop off your legs. That boy needs to cut his hair and stop with the tattoos. Otherwise he’s fine.
Those jeans seem to be capable in restricting some blood flow.
I agree. Boy also need to cut some of those deD ends of his hair
I wonder if this was the plan to begin with. Splitting up shortly after the new album was released without a tour. Zayn might have thought he should get out earlier with some major buzz.
My niece imploded last night. Her poor 13 year old body couldn’t take the news and she spent most of the night hogging up my phone line talking to her friends (maybe a sign she should get her own phone?) I took her out to Dairy Queen and things seemed to be better after that . I had to gently inform her that these things DO happen.
But honestly, we could have seen this from a mile away. These types of bands never last. It’s a surprise to me they made it this long! I don’t believe they’ll be getting back together. I’m not going to tell her that, however.
You’re the coolest aunt ever!
Bless you, you rock.
It’s funny how obsessed these girls are with 1D. Mind you, had it been 1988 and NKOTB had broken up, I would have been devastated !
is that Harry guy purposely looking like a homeless man? that hair is DISGUSTING. that’s not pretty. he looks like Fabio.
He’s a brand ambassador for Yves Saint Laurent men’s fashion. The clothes you see on him there are from YSL’s fall collection. So I would say no, he’s not trying to look unattractive.
A friend of mine saw him up close this weekend in Chicago! And she said he looked amazing, long hair and all.
Invest well boys. Not a single one going anywhere. After a haircut, Harry will fade into obscurity. the blonde one could possibly do something. Zayn can sing but has no discipline. The others…
The thing is Zayn is the more disciplined one. He knew the band was going to break up soon, and he did not want to fade in the limelight of the ever so media focused Harry, who all of the media seems to favor. Zayn knowing if he left the band as the same time as the others would get no publicity and it would be harder to get a record deal, did the smartest business move, and left early. Not only did he manage to get his name out into the newspapers, and be known by the general public, he also managed a record deal and now is living his dream of doing rnb music, like he wanted to from the get go. Plus he has the best vocals, I think he is the Justin of the group honestly.
Exactly my thoughts, but you found better words for it.
The break-up probably was on plate for a while (esp. if their contract with Cowell runs out). Zayn knew if he wouldn’t leave early and get his name in the press, he would be just on of the guys who were in a band with Harry.
Who will ever take their place as the new money machines? These guys have gotten rich and simply no longer want to cater to 14 year old girls screaming and fainting. Oh, I remember the days of Davey Jones and the Monkees fan club I belonged to!
I’m pretty sure their contract with Simon is over and they don’t want to re-new it.
It was inevitable. They’ve been going nonstop for five years now. They’ve done well to capitalize on their success and popularity while they can but it was a grueling schedule. Touring worldwide while writing and recording albums in hotel rooms overnight after shows and then going right into promoting the albums right after the tour ends.
This kinda feels like a natural endpoint. They’ll likely have the #2 tour in the world (behind swifty) for the year. They had a song that charted better than their recent songs when Zayn was still with them. They’ll probably get a fifth #1 album. Then they’ll be done. Nice way to end things for those four. No bitterness. No blame. A mutual decision to go out while still on top.
Bed head I really hope you were being sarcastic about your daughter.
It was obvious this was coming. Zayn leaving had nothing to do with it. The other guys (Harry) stuck it out, so they can freely get away from Simon and his clutches. I just can’t wait for the behind the scenes stories.
“Straight Outta X Factor”…coming to a theater near you soon !
At least, the kids are getting a new album to make them happy. They just won’t tour on it.
These guys have been touring nonstop. They deserve a break.
I vividly remember the moment they announced that Geri had left the Spice Girls.
It really crushed my world! And Geri was also my favourite member… sigh.
Spice Girls were everything, and even though they basically peaked and went away in less than 3/4 years, they changed pop music forever. Viva forever!
(I don’t give a flying f*** about One Direction, hence I deliberately went off-topic).
Me too! I adored the Spice Girls, but they did lose that something without Geri.
But I won’t lie, I loved Girls Aloud more. Insanely catchy tunes, AND they lasted ten years – a record among prefab bands.
Look you ride the wave until it crests and then you find a new wave. Nothing lasts forever. Not all of them will have success but Harry Styles will fill the 1D void all on his own probably.
I think Harry has a shot at a solo career, but not as an actor! I thought Zayn would do okay but he seems to have imploded a bit.
*crosses fingers* Let’s hope Harry will chop that hair off as soon as this happens.
I’m scared to mention this to my friend from South Africa who is such a HUGE fan that she has Harry Styles’ FACE tattooed on her arm. Surrounded. By. Red. Roses.
And all sorts of 1D memorabilia. Bedding, posters, t-shirts,nail polish, perfume… everything.
She must be pretty heartbroken.
Wow! I can only imagine how she’ll feel about her tattoo in +5 years. Poor thing.
Harry is not the Justin timberlake of the group. Justin is a pretty good singer and dancer. All around performing talent.
To be honest Harry is at best mediocre at singing and can’t dance to save his life. Justin went in the direction of R and B, which suits his voice and musical taste. Harry would never be able to carry of that style. If he releases any solo material it will probably be more pop rock orientated.Harry is probably the Robbie Williams of the group though, the one of with the biggest personality but not necessarily the biggest talent. sort of loveable, inoffensive and easy to market. Zayn is the biggest musical talent of the lot but he needs to get his head screwed back on if he wants to succed as a solo artist. He has vocal range and ability none of the other guys have ( they had trouble carrying of his parts when he left) but there is major question marks about his personality. He can always get into male modelling thought, that boy is too pretty for his own good.
I don’t think Zayn is the biggest musical talent of the original 5. He can do beautiful falsettos and he can hit certain high notes beautifully when he wants to and when he bothers trying but he struggles to control his voice and range, hence his incessant mumbling. That’s something he’s always struggled with. Not sure why he never got a coach outside the group to work with him on that.
I’d argue that Liam is the biggest musical talent of the original 5. He has the largest range and the most control out of all of them. Since day one, he’s consistently been the one to step in and cover the parts for the other four guys in the group when there was an issue, one of them was missing, one of them was sick, or just needed assistance/back-up during live performances.
I’d say Harry comes in second behind Liam in terms of musical talent. Not at first but now he does because he was smart and got his own vocal coach and worked to improve his control, range, and strengthen his voice.
Pleaseicu +1 Liam was never my fav, but I did see him as the actual vocal backbone. He didn’t have the standout personality for whatever reason, but he was definitely the main singer. In the earliest stuff, they featured him the most and I thought they were pushing him as the star. It went whatever way it was meant to with fan favorites (I like Niall) but that’s what I saw.
Liam’s good too. I prefer zayn though his voice has more character and soulfulness. I think it stands out much more. I totally disagree on Harry. He’s nothing special vocally. He’s improved yes but he was pretty awful in the beginning. He’s always been carried on looks and personality. That’s his star power.
Yes, this reminded me of the NSYNC “hiatus”. Also I guess I’m a terrible cousin because I told my little cousin, who is a huge 1D fan, not to expect a reunion…
My niece is going to their concert on Saturday. I told her I wasn’t jealous because without Zayn I don’t care for 1D at all lol. I do think Harry and Zayn are the only 2 who will have some success going solo. Louis might as well go to college or something because he can’t sing for sh*t. I truly believe he was picked to be in the group because they needed a “bad boy”. I bet Zayn is probably pissed by this news. LOL they could have agreed to split before Zayn got attacked for leaving the group. It would have all been so much easier and smoother. First these poor girls dealt with “losing Zayn” and now the whole group is breaking up…lol how will they deal? Two heart breaks in such little time lol.
LOL I think they couldnt break up when Zayn left bc of contractual obligation to Syco. Not sure how he was able to escape and all the legal/financial issues that it must have taken to resolve. But yeah..rough year for 1D fans lol
I still remember the day Ginger Spice left, and the Spice Girls were never the same again.
A bit OTT — a couple of years ago I was coordinating telephone interviews between radio stations and One Direction, for the release of their second album (I worked at Sony Music).
I had to connect Zayn and Harry with their corresponding radio station (I remember I youtubed how to pronounce Zayn’s name LOL)
Harry was SO polite – he actually asked me my name, how I was doing, and which country I was calling from. The phone call fell through three times, and every time I called back he would laugh at “technology”, tell me not to worry, he had all the time needed.
Zayn was the opposite – abrupt, rude and so BLAH, I felt sorry for the interviewer and was relieved when the whole thing was done and I hunged up on him.
Really? I met Zayn a year ago and he was so sweet and kind. Maybe he was having a bad day or something?
Perhaps. But this was work, so I expected a minimum level of politeness.
lmao zayn didn’t have anything to do with it? 1d have a five year contract. it ends in september. they’re following up on a few things, and then it’s over. that’s probably how it was always going to end- four albums, four world tours in as many years? it’s never really been done before and it makes sense that they’d need a break. it has nothing to do with zayn, stop using him as a scapegoat.
What does this have to do with Zayn? The band was going downhill with or without him. Why do you think they are playing with so many rumors, they need the money because the band is fading. Zayn is not part of the band, stop naming him, stop blaming him.
*Yawn*
Lmao this is ridiculous. Zayn has nothing to do with them ever breaking up (even though it was actually confirmed by Niall and Louis they won’t be). Zayn decided to leave because he knew he wanted to make RnB and the sound 1d is putting out now wasn’t for him. Personally I don’t think Zayn has changed at all, just more outspoken now because he’s free to do whatever he pleases and he’s in control of himself. It’s dumb you’re using him as an excuse, especially since you most likely don’t even care about 1d other than gossip. You tried it though lol
Just came on to say I love Harry’s long hair. That is one good-looking boy. I could do without the singing, too. I could just look at him all day long.
How exactly is this Zayn’s fault? He was trying to be true to himself and make music he liked. It’s not about a record deal or money. Besides, the break up was inevitable. Weren’t they taking a hiatus anyway?
Stop it. Just stop! Zayn’s the best. Why is it so problematic accept the fact that he was done, utterly tired of working his ass off for years now?! He left, made the step and left. So what? He deserved it and we should accept it. Now the other lads want to take off and are done of working their asses off, and they deserved a time off and we should accept it. Why is it all about the fault game here? Whoever wrote this get out of here and get a real meaningful job where maybe you could make something meaningful instead of bitching around about someone else’s life – which is none of your, and our business – and telling bs?! Now I’m done with you and your crap 😉
Not seeing how this has anything to do with Zayn’s departure from the group. Ridiculous to make it seem as they correlate with one another.
Also Liam and Zayn were the best singers of the group. Zayn has definitely improved with his singing technique (although he does need to improve more). Harry is okay. He has the perfect voice for Rock music, although his singing technique is atrocious.
Niall had some moments where he sounds decent, and Louis is horrendous, with his 1/8 octave range.
They all have some sort of musical talent, seeing as how all of them write music, Liam and Louis produce, and Niall can play the guitar.
i dont see how this connects to zayn at all. stop being bias and dragging his name in the dirt. everyone saw this coming a mile away especially since their mgmt team has always done five year plans…
I went their concert in Chicago with my daughter.
actually at the show and Harry Styles is incredible. He ‘s vocals very good at live .sex appeal, and has sence of humor .I think he is a really good performer
I was obsessed with him after the show
I agree, Harry will be the only one who will make a career, either in acting or music. He’s the most talented, most popular and the most work focused one. Zayn is junkie, Niall is better at golf than at singing, Liam is generic looking and will be forgotten as first one and Louis has no talent whatsoever – except for knocking up some random gold diggers, he seems to be good at that and if he’s like his mother, he will have several other kids with several other women in the next years.