It Looks Like Harry Styles Is Going Solo

Ever since One Direction first came together on X Factor UK in 2010, fans have wondered: When is Harry Styles going solo? Yes, due to his considerable talent and undeniable charm, it's always seemed like a question of when rather than if. Now, we may finally have an answer: Billboard reports Monday that Harry Styles has split from Modest Management, 1D's longtime management team, and signed with CAA's Jeffrey Azoff. According to Billboard, the move suggests Styles could be planning to break away from One Direction to pursue a solo career, just like former member Zayn Malik did in March 2015.

Modest executives Richard Griffiths and Harry Magee confirmed the news of Styles' departure in a statement to Billboard: "We wish Harry the very best. It has been a real pleasure working with him. Harry is a total gentleman, and we know our good friend Jeffrey Azoff will look after him. We look forward to sharing some great wine with them next time we are in L.A."

So, what does this latest development mean for the future of One Direction? The band went on hiatus in December 2015 for an undisclosed period of time, and although the four remaining members have repeatedly assured fans that this is not the end, new rumors to the contrary seem to pop up every day.

For example, a "senior music insider" allegedly told The Sun recently that Styles is "done" with One Direction. "He wants to completely disassociate with the band and that includes any professional connection," the insider purportedly said. "His new team will be about launching him as a solo superstar by around this time next year so the work is starting now."

However, on the other hand, "a source close to" 1D allegedly told Billboard recently that "nothing has changed regarding the hiatus plans for the group, and all will be revealed in due time from the band members' own mouths." Whether or not either of the aforementioned unnamed sources is reliable remains to be seen. So, in other words, the fate of the British quartet is still unclear.

Hopefully, more details regarding Styles' intentions and 1D's hiatus will be revealed soon.