Zayn Malik Rumors Dispelled: Simon Cowell Says No One Will Replace Him
Simon Cowell opened up last week about Zayn Malik and his abrupt, surprising departure from One Direction. Despite numerous speculations and rumors, Cowell confirmed that the band will not be adding another member to replace Malik.
Cowell, who appeared on Good Morning Britain on May 22, had no problems talking about Malik’s exit from the superstar boy band. The music mogul candidly spoke about how shocked the other four boys were when Malik left the group, indicating that no one knew it was coming. Cowell also pointed out that Malik’s departure showed a strength in the remaining guys as they bonded together and continued on as a band.
“They’ve actually just shown their strength as human beings, because you know, when it happened [there was] no warning – nothing – and they just, they were still doing these huge tours and they dealt with it.”
Although they are still down one guy, don’t expect the One Direction boys to add another member any time soon. Cowell confirms that the guys are doing just fine with only four members.
Jamie Scott, a songwriter who composed several of One Direction’s biggest hits, also spoke out about Malik’s decision to leave the group. Despite rumors of creative differences, his girlfriend Perrie Edwards persuading him to leave, and feuds among the band members, Scott indicates that endless touring over the past four years is what ultimately led Malik to bow out of the band.
“Zayn went because he’d had enough. Have you ever been on the road for four years? These guys aren’t at home. There is no way the same thing is going to run through all five guys, that they’re all going to want to be on the road so much together. Eventually he got to a point where he’d had enough. It was, ‘OK, I don’t want to be in this band any more.’ It was that simple, it was human instinct kicking in. People want it to be complicated and have secret reasons but that is what it was.”
Meanwhile, One Direction is gearing up for the first part of the European leg of their On the Road Again (ONTRA) tour, which kicks on in Cardiff, Wales, on June 5. The guys are also slated to perform in multiple North American cities, starting July 9, at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium.
Zayn Malik continues to enjoy his down time and a life away from the spotlight as much as possible. Although there’s been no solid confirmation on an upcoming solo album, the 22-year-old still spends time in the studio with friend and producer, Naughty Boy.
[Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage]
