Do you hear that? It’s the sound of a million hearts breaking. It’s the sound of teenage (and in my case, adult) tears falling fast and hard.
Zayn Malik has left One Direction, and the band has decided to continue as a four-piece.
This (heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, depressing) news has come a week after he decided to leave their “On The Road Again” tour, citing “stress.”
The band released a statement on their Facebook page, in which Zayn said he was leaving because he wanted to be “a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight.” The other four said: “We’re really sad to see Zayn go, but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future.”
Out of all the members of One Direction, Zayn has arguably had the most unfriendly publicity to deal with. As a British-Pakistani, Zayn has frequently been referred to as a “terrorist,” or been antagonized for being Muslim. He has also been pinned with rumors of infidelity to his fiancée, Perrie Edwards, a singer in British girl band Little Mix. Zayn brought a level of diversity to the boy band that very few others had. He’s always been cited for contributing a level of rough edginess that other pop groups lack, with his tattoos and leather jackets and smoldering eyes – a huge part of why One Direction has created a feverish mania in the last few years.
One Direction formed in 2010 on the British show X-Factor, and since then, they have released four albums in four consecutive years, are currently on their fourth tour, and have released countless books, movies, merchandise, and more. It’s no wonder Zayn Malik burned out and left – what 22-year-old could handle all the stress and work that comes with four world tours in four years?!
When I was 16, my best friends introduced me to One Direction, and I developed a crush on Zayn Malik in the way only a 16-year-old girl can. I am not ashamed to say that I own a cardboard cutout of Zayn. My friends and I bought it and took it on a tour of New York City, with the shamelessness of teenage girls.
It currently resides in my bedroom at home, scaring my parents every time they walk in. What can I say — I was 16, and he is beautiful.
Zayn is undeniably one of the most talented pop singers of the last decade – just listen to his solos on any of the four albums One Direction has released. I have no doubt that should he choose to pursue a solo career, as I believe he will, he will be wildly successful. Who can resist that bone structure or those incredible vocal runs? And besides that, he already has a dedicated fan base. I can only hope that for now, he gets the peace and quiet he so rightly deserves.
Thanks for bringing me so much teenage joy, Zayn Malik. All the best.
Photo Credit: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 all others property of the author