The world woke to the distraught wails of teenage girls (and NSW opposition leader Luke Foley) this morning following news of the departure of One Direction heartthrob Zayn Malik.
Fans have taken to social media, tweeting, Facebooking and Instagramming their reaction to the world. Tweeters used the occasion to voice their concerns on the seriousness of the situation saying;
You guys are worrying about tornados???? WHEN ZAYN MALIK IS LEAVING 1D, you guys need to get your priorities straight!!!!
— mariela (@mariielaaaa_) March 25, 2015
After crying at school, the pet store, and grocery store, I came home to go straight to my room and cry some more. #ZaynMalik — zaynmalik1D (@OnceInATommo) March 26, 2015
My mom has always told me that I am ungrateful child. Today I realized she was always right. I never was thankful enough for zayn #ZaynMalik
— Alooooo (@Loustahgram) March 25, 2015
This outpouring was also been met by joy from 1D ‘haters’. YouTube user ‘DonnieCookieMonster’ voiced his opinion on the matter, commenting on their latest video saying:
But for millions of fans around the world, the exit of the 22-year-old has brought tears and unanswered questions.
Twenty-year-old student and self proclaimed ‘One Directioner’, Gabrielle Wallace was shocked by the announcement.
“It’s just so sad. They’ve been together for over five years and he just left in the middle of a world tour? It just doesn’t make sense,” Ms Wallace said.
She said there is a lot of speculation about Malik’s departure, connecting it to his fiancé and Little Mix star Perrie Edwards, and drawing comparisons to the Beatles break-up. Some online have gone as far as to labels her “the modern day Yoko Ono”.
“He says he just wants a normal life but people think she is making him because he was accused of cheating on her,” Ms Wallace said.
When John Lennon left the Beatles in 1969, thousands of adoring fans flooded the streets to voice their dismay. They formed a shrieking choir of sorrow, equipped with banners and signs, with many blamed Ono for the split.
The future of One Direction is uncertain, but remaining members Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Niall Horan claim the show will go on. (courtesy of ABC news)
“The four of us will now continue. We’re looking forward to recording the new album and seeing all the fans on the next stage of the world tour,” they said.
For many fans, there is simply no comfort. Loyal supporter Grace Brennan went to a One Direction concert in November last year. She was “utterly devastated” by the news and said the band would never be the same.
“They’ve always been the perfect image having five guys in the band. It wouldn’t feel right with just four of them,” Grace said.
Ms Brennan said Malik was a crucial member of the fivesome. “It’s like NSYNC without Justin Timberlake, or Destiny’s Child without Beyoncé,” she said.
The band is expected to record and release its fifth studio album this year.
Related: Frontmen who quit the band
