Zayn Malik Leaves One Direction

If you have opened a computer or stepped outside in the past week, you have probably heard that Zayn Malik, ⅕ of One Direction, has left the British boy band. Zayn, 22, has been a member of One Direction since their start on the X-Factor back in 2010. The band’s Facebook page released an official statement just after noon on Wednesday, and the fandom erupted. Snapchat stories were suddenly overloaded with photos and videos of people comically breaking down upon discovering of Zayn’s split (photo above). One girl’s reaction involved curling up on the floor of a parking lot in a puddle of sadness. By the time third period classes had ended on Wednesday, following the release of the information, a shrine in the Brit’s memory was already well underway in the Senior Lounge (picture above). While it is safe to say many tears have been shed over this major change in the band no one has been able to stop talking about for the past five years, not all hope is lost. The rest of the group– Niall, Liam, Harry, and Louis– plans to continue as a four-man band, making music, going on tour, and continuing to release new albums.

Many opinions are circulating on this hot topic. Pamela Lawrence ‘15 had a lot to say about the change. “My initial reaction was shock, I honestly could not believe that it was happening, that the band I’ve been in love with since freshman year was finally tearing apart…I always thought they would do it [break up] together, begin together, end together kind of thing.” However, she continues to add, “But I’m not angry at or upset with Zayn, not at all…I’m mad at the lack of breaks the boys get in between tours and the lack of time they get to see their family and loved ones…I am sad for Zayn because it upsets me he could be pushed to such a point…” In this time of heated emotions, Pamela has the right idea. It is important to remember that as famous as Zayn is, he is still just a person who made a decision about his own life, one he felt was in the best interest of his health and happiness, and we need to respect that.