One Direction Interview Without Zayn Malik: ‘We’re Gutted’

One Direction made their first public statement as a group since Zayn Malik quit. Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan told the Sun via Us Weekly they want to stay positive, but it’s been hard.

“We're gutted that Zayn chose to leave, but now after a few performances as a four-piece, we're feeling confident and are determined to carry on stronger than ever,” the group told the British news site. "It's been a tough few weeks, probably the toughest since the band was formed five years ago.” But Tomlinson made sure to add: "All four of us are 100 percent committed to staying in 1D."

However, rumors have surfaced that Harry Styles wanted to leave. "He certainly has hopes of doing solo stuff, branching out on his own, and so this might be the natural juncture in which to do that,” an insider told E! News. "He considers himself to be on a different path to the other boys.”

Unfortunately, the things the guys say cannot always be taken seriously. When Malik, 22, initially left, he said that he wanted some time for himself. A few days later, he released a single with Naughty Boy.

Millions of fans were upset about his departure. Some even threatened to cut themselves, and others claimed they would commit suicide. Fortunately, none of the cases was confirmed.

Malik’s fiancée Perrie Edwards was branded the “Yoko Ono” of One Direction after he left. "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. 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,” he said in a statement on the band’s official Facebook page.”

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