One Direction at a Crossroads

Fans mourn the exit of Zayn Malik

Caroline Bradbury, Staff Writer

If you have looked at the One Direction tag on twitter lately you have probably noticed one thing – absolute mayhem. Ever since Zayn Malik, the vocal strong point of the group, announced he was leaving  (March 25), “Directioners” around the world have been in mourning.

Although the hype about this boy band ….may be a little out of hand, the emotions are real.

— Caroline Bradbury

Although most high schoolers have grown out of obsessing over this boyband, true fans are sad about the situation. Fans have been voicing their thoughts on social media through pictures and emotional tweets. Some common examples of the dramatic outpouring for Malik include, “(I) still can’t believe Zayn left us :(”  –  Twitter user @cleotoms. Several users took videos of their friends crying once they heard the news. Although the hype about this boy band that was formed during the 2010 season of the United Kingdom version of the X-Factor, may be a little out of hand, the emotions are real.

One Direction performs in MinneapolisJeff Wheeler/Minneapolis Star Tribune/MCT used with permission

Some people think Malik left the band because of his Perrie Edwards, his fiance who is in the girl band “Little Mix” (also formed on the X-Factor). Fans have been watching this relationship unfold for years and think Zayn may want to settle down, which is understandable after five years of consecutive touring, and being in the spotlight.

So, what’s left for the rest of the band? The other four members (Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson) have stated in multiple interviews that they will continue on with their tour as a quartet. Although fans are devastated by the loss of Zayn, they are grateful that they are not losing the band all together.

So, if you get the opportunity to see the now four member group sing Zayn’s old solos, you probably should take it. You never know when One Direction might go into more than two directions, or three, or four, or five…