‘Cut For Zayn Malik’ Trends On Twitter After He Quit One Direction

A dangerous trend emerged on Twitter after Zayn Malik quit the British pop band One Direction. Some Twitter users are promoting self-harm with the hasthags “cut for Zayn,” “cut 4 Zayn” or “cutting for Zayn.”

When Malik, 22, announced his departure from the group on Facebook Wednesday, some fans have taken the trend seriously and actually threatened to cut:

why should i be alive? #CuttingForZayn
— #cut4zayn (@RideMagicDragon) March 26, 2015

my friends sister is cutting for zayn swear
— mads (@maddieconnaghan) March 26, 2015

my 10 year old sister just told me she was peeling a cucumber and gave herself a cut on her finger purposely for zayn bye forever
— ariana (@aribravin) March 26, 2015

Others took the "cutting for Zayn" trend as a joke:

“@. HeyJulsML: Benga xikos kortaros tods k asi sguro k zein buelbeeee¡¡!!1UNO!!¡¡1! #cut4zayn #CuttingForZayn pic.twitter.com/RcqYutDciJ” JAJAJA
— P0{ff}STUREO Hale (@Ginny_LIB) March 26, 2015

Instead of self-harming for Zayn, do some self-loving and cut a nice piece of cake for yourself to enjoy #cut4zayn pic.twitter.com/cOUMJBEAov
— Annie (@theoscake) March 26, 2015

Like with any trend, there’s been a backlash. There are just as many people who are afraid of promoting self-harm. They pleaded with Directioners to discontinue the hashtag:

Stuff like "cut for Zayn" is really offensive to people that actually do suffer with mental health issues
— Curtis (@Drxp_Dead) March 25, 2015

#cuttingforzayn #cut4zayn as one who use to selfharm...I'm extremely pissed off that you guys are doing this and trying to trend it. #stop
— Becky Bullock (@Becky_fnBullock) March 26, 2015

"Cut for Zayn" is immature and extremely unfair on Zayn, imagine how he would feel if he saw this GROW UP
— lucas (@burnmendes) March 25, 2015

"Cut for Zayn is trending" STOP ROMANTICISING SELF HARM PLEASE! IT'S DISGUSTING & TRIGGERING FOR OTHERS
— forameus (@blissfulfiction) March 25, 2015

Malik has not issued a statement about his fans allegedly inflicted self-injuries over his decision to quit. In his goodbye post on Facebook, the singer explained he was overwhelmed with the band and essentially wanted time to be a regular 22-year-old. He reassured his fans, and possibly his former band mates, that he will always consider Harry, Liam, Niall and Louis his friends.

"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 right time for me to leave the band. I'd like to apologize to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart,” Malik wrote. “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."

His fiancée, Perrie Edwards, has been labeled the "Yoko Ono of One Direction." When asked if she was the reason Malik left the band, "X Factor" judge Louis Walsh essentially said yes. Days before Malik shared his announcement, he posted a telling tweet about Edwards on his official account. "I'm 22 years old... I love a girl named Perrie Edwards. And there's a lot of jealous f---s in this world I'm sorry for what it looks like x," he said.

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