The lads of boy band One Direction are once again facing another trial as Zayn Malik announced his departure from the rest of the group Wednesday afternoon. The band will continue on as a four-piece, determined to release their fifth album this year, while Malik's participation is still in talks to be included.
In the post announced in the band's Facebook page, Malik expressed that his life with the pop group had been more than he could ever have imagined, but after five years of fame, it seemed like he wanted to be "a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight," Hypable quoted. He also apologized to his fans, and said that he will always be friends with band mates Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Niall Horan.
The rest of the band, which confirmed that they will continue to honor the rest of the tour dates, said, "We're really sad to see Zayn go, but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future. The past five years have been beyond amazing, we've gone through so much together, so we will always be friends." Moreover, Simon Cowell, who discovered the boys on talent show "The X Factor," also thanked Malik for everything he has done for the band, and beamed at how he he has grown "immensely proud" to see the singer bag confidence ever since signing him and his band mates with Synco Records back in 2010.
While fans expressed their devastation all over social media, Cowell also assured them that Malik's peers will carry on as a four-piece band, now working on their fifth album aimed to be released this year. E! News reported that they will record the album without Malik's participation, although other sources say that the matter is still in talks.
Malik's exit came shortly after he signed off from the Asian leg of their current worldwide tour due to "stress." He had been accused of cheating on fiancée, Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards, after photos of him getting comfortable with another woman spread throughout social media, and he was forced to return to the UK to defend his relationship. There was no official announcement of his return, however, which many had considered a sign that a possible departure was inevitable.
Throughout the years of 1D's heyday, Malik had troubles dealing with the spotlight, as he was passionate about making music but wanted to live a low-key life at the same time. Sources said that it was clear from the beginning that the singer was "never fully comfortable with fame," and that he does not handle the attention very well. He also faced a number of controversies after being conspicuously absent from high profile events, their last album release and the rest of their current world tour included, and had drug problem allegations.
While it is still unclear what the future holds for the former one-fifth of One Direction, Malik tends to marry his fiancée under the limelight and wishes his former band mates well. However, "X Factor" judge Louis Walsh, who also previously managed boy bands Boyzone and Westlife, revealed that Malik was working on solo material with producers several weeks ago in a recording studio. He speculated that the singer might just opt for a solo career in the future, saying on an interview with RTE Radio, ""I'm told he's very talented as a songwriter and I know he's been in studio with producers in the last few months. He might surprise us," The Independent quoted.
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