Zayn Is Bringing Back Memories Of Ginger Spice

One Direction fans in Australia and Asia (and in general) received some pretty tough news on Thursday: Zayn Malik has decided to leave this leg of One Direction's tour after suffering from way too much stress. He totally plans on returning for the rest of the tour once he's had time to kick back and chill out, but I have my doubts. Even though Malik's only taking a break from the tour, I can't help but wonder if this is just the first step in him leaving the band altogether. Could this mean that in the near future, Zayn Malik plans to leave One Direction for good?

It wouldn't be the most shocking thing in the world if he did, although it would suck for fans. As a huge One Direction fan, I can say with confidence that his presence would be super noticeable, especially on tour — even for those of us who aren't diehard for Malik. But he does seem to be growing up a little faster than his bandmates, especially where his engagement to Little Mix's Perrie Edwards is concerned. And I don't think it's a coincidence that Malik is leaving the tour just after responding to haters who cast judgment on their relationship.

And, um, I can't help but notice that this is eerily similar to what went down when Ginger left the Spice Girls in 1998, a day that will forever live in infamy. I will always remember what I was doing when I found out that my favorite Spice Girl was leaving my favorite band. I was nine years old and in third grade and insisted on wearing all black to school the next day. I was heartbroken, and if my mom had let me play with matches, I totally would've lit a candle next to my Ginger Spice Barbie.

In Geri Halliwell's case, she left the band in the middle of a tour because she was asked to skip an interview that would promote breast cancer awareness that was very important to her, and that — combined with the pressure of being an international celebrity and being ready to leave the band in the first place — was the final straw that broke the British camel's back. It seems to me that history may just be repeating itself here.

Will the day come when we have to once again don black and light a candle next to our Zayn Malik Barbie dolls? No definitive insight exists, except for multiple times in the past when rumors have circulated around Malik possibly being over the whole 1D thing. In fact, in February it was announced that Malik would be featured on rapper Naughty Boy's album. Was he already planning on going solo? Should we panic? No. Should we prepare ourselves for the worst, just in case? Couldn't hurt.

Besides, even if Malik leaves, we still have four other beautiful members of One Direction left, especially Harry Styles. We can get through this together, you guys!

Image: Getty Images