KEY POINTS

  • Zayn Malik is still part of One Direction, according to several fans
  • Malik left the band in 2015
  • One Direction went on an indefinite hiatus in January 2016
  • 1D went viral as fans anticipate the celebration of #10YearsOfOneDirection
  • A new website will be launched to commemorate this another milestone
  • A video documenting 1D’s journey will be reportedly released on YouTube

Fans of One Direction defended Zayn Malik amid the social media upheaval over the band’s upcoming 10th anniversary.

One Direction, once again, went viral on social media with #10YearsOfOneDirection. Although most internet references only show Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Niall Horan as 1D members with Malik identified as a “past member,” many fans still consider him as part of the band.

“Zayn was a big of a part of One Direction, as was the rest of the boys,” a netizen and One Direction fan, Santa Claus, tweeted.

The tweet went on by asking the public to appreciate Malik and not disregard him just because he left One Direction. Several netizens were able to relate to the Twitter user’s sentiment and here’s what they said in response.

Millions of One Directioners wept when the band’s official Facebook account announced that Malik left 1D in March 2015 due to stress. On the flip side, Malik also encountered numerous backlash from netizens the announcement.

Zayn Malik
Former One Direction star Zayn Malik, pictured Aug. 10, 2015, joined Snapchat Friday. Getty Images

One Direction continued to record music after Malik left, however, the band announced that would go on an indefinite hiatus a few months after. Before going under in January 2016, the band released the album “Made in the A.M.”

One Direction
Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Niall Horan of One Direction attend the BBC Music Awards on Dec. 10, 2015, in Birmingham, England. Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images

It’s been nearly 5 years since One Direction went on hiatus but the band continued to stir the social media. Hopeful One Directioners never ceased to show their love and support for the UK-based band and many were optimistic that a reunion would happen soon.

There had been circulating rumors about One Direction’s upcoming reunion but nothing’s officially confirmed at the moment. Instead, a special website will be reportedly launched as One Direction turns 10 on July 23.

Fans will get to see never-before-seen contents in the website and a celebration video, to be released on YouTube, to honor the occasion, Capital FM reported. The site further reported that the site was especially for the One Direction fans.

The video will reportedly document One Direction’s journey, from their appearance in “The X Factor” to their single leading up to rarely seen performances and interviews. The said video will be released on the same day as the website, CNN reported.

While waiting for the #10YearsOfOneDirection celebration, One Directions have flooded Twitter with tweets of excitement and appreciation.

RELATED STORIES
Twitter