Zayn Malik Opens Up About Band Departure

The plot thickens for the One Direction fans trying to figure out why their beloved band has been so suddenly torn apart. As we all know, Zayn Malik left One Direction to return to a normal life out of the spotlight — or, at least, that's what the official statement from the band said. Since then, rumors have been flying that Malik left because of fiancé Perrie Edwards (rude), that Malik left for reasons too racist to even reprint (seriously, stop it), and, of course, that Malik left to pursue a solo career like Ginger Spice of the Spice Girls. In an interview with The Sun, of all places, Malik talks quitting One Direction for the first time since the statement went out, and it appears that the solo career theory held some weight after all. I mean, depending on how much stock you put into what stories The Sun prints.

"It is crazy and wild and a bit mad," he said of his decision to quit what is quite likely the biggest boy band in the entire world right now. "But at the same time I've never felt more in control in my life. And I feel like I'm doing what's right — right by myself and right by the boys, so I feel good." Speaking of those boys, anyone worried that there is some kind of internal feud going on behind closed doors can just relax. "My band has been really supportive. They've been cool about it. And they understand that, you know, it's not real to me anymore... I did try to do something that I wasn't happy doing for a while, for the sake of other people's happiness."

However, that's not the part of the interview that will catch the eye of most of the Directioners. No, Malik revealed in The Sun interview that he has been "working on his own music for some time." Not just the upcoming single he has been recording with Naughty Boy, on which he raps(!!), but other songs as well. Other songs that incorporate more rapping. So, basically, if The Sun is to be believed, then Malik left the band in part to launch a solo rap career. Just try to wrap your mind around that prospect for a moment. I'll wait.

Quite honestly, I can't even outright say that this story can't be true. The long tradition of artists leaving the bands that catapulted them to fame in order to pursue their own solo artistry is well-known to all of us by now. It honestly wouldn't surprise me if Malik started putting out his own independent albums. He's already got the music in him, you know? But One Direction might be on a level of fame that he's just plain uncomfortable with at this level in time — and that's okay. I just can't see any reason why Malik would lie about his intentions in the statement released by the entire band, especially considering the fact that each of the boys seem like they would be supportive of his decisions.

And especially considering how worried he is, in general and in The Sun interview, about disappointing the fans:

I feel like I've let the fans down but I can't do this anymore. It's not that I've turned my back on them or anything, it's just that I just can't do that anymore because it's not the real me.

Well, I can tell you right now that nothing disappoints a fan base more than lying to them does. If Malik does plan to go on to a solo career, then it's in his best interest to say it outright in an interview with a more credible news source. If he doesn't plan to go on to a solo career, well, then I continue to wish him the best of luck in his life as a normal 22-year-old. Considering all he's had to deal with in the five years since he joined One Direction, he deserves a break from the limelight as much as anyone.

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