March 25, 2015 is the day the Internet stood still. Zayn Malik left One Direction. Directioners took to Twitter to express their emotions using the hashtag #ForeverInOurHeartsZaynMalik. Had Zayn taken their latest album FOUR too seriously? On the same day, One Direction released their official statement on Facebook.
Zayn stated: “My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the time right time for me to leave the band. I’d like to apologise to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world.”
While this was a very sweet statement, it appears Zayn hasn’t stepped out of the spotlight. The producer Naughty Boy leaked the link to Zayn’s first single, “I Won’t Mind,” on Twitter on Tuesday, March 31st. The SoundCloud track was taken down after Zayn’s ex-bandmate, Louis Tomlinson, and Naughty Boy had a “Twitter fight.” Louis argued that it was inconsiderate to fans to leak the single so soon.
It seems Zayn is off doing his own thing. Perhaps he will have a successful solo career. Hopefully he is happy where he is right now. As for what will happen to One Direction, nothing is certain. Will the spaces between them keep getting deeper, or will we be dancing to the best song ever on their next album?