Why One Direction Is On Hiatus: Will They Break Up Or Reunite With Zayn Malik?

One Direction is the most popular boy band since the Beatles. They have topped charts and made record-breaking gross sales of albums and concert tickets. Why on earth would they quit now? While there is something to be said for quitting while one is ahead, it is doubtful that would be a good enough reason to walk out on $300 million a year each. So why would the boys want to take a break or break up? Here are some possibilities.

One Direction Wants Creative Freedom

Zayn Malik left 1D about one year ago. The reasons he stated involved creative freedom, or rather the lack of it. He wanted to create a different sort of music and felt the boy band sound had a limited appeal. He wanted to create something cooler. Malik alleged to Billboard the recording company was very confining in its leadership of the boy band, directing them away from anything other than mainstream pop.

“I genuinely enjoyed [the band] and did whatever I could to be myself within that, but it’s just not where I sit as a musician. The other boys’ taste was generally indie rock. It’s good music, but I don’t f— with it. That was never cool where I was from.”

One Direction crooner Harry Styles has echoed Malik and wants to create more complex music. He sees himself as a sort of Paul McCartney or at least would like to explore his potential in that direction. He is working on a solo album during the hiatus and is also starring in a movie called Dunkirk.

Hiatus or Contract Negotiation Power Play?

One Direction has taken the boy band tradition to a whole other level since they were “discovered” by Simon Cowell on The X Factor over five years ago. Simon has Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson locked up tight in various contracts, both as individual artists and as a group. Could contract negotiation be behind the group’s hiatus? Perhaps it is some sort of strike to get more money or more creative freedom.

Zayn Malik is not free of Simon Cowell or Syco — he simply had his contract reassigned to a smaller label that is a subsidiary of Cowell’s company. Any solo albums produced by 1D members will be similarly controlled by Syco, according to Bustle. Perhaps Syco will listen if they just threaten to quit? Could this hiatus be another word for a wildcat strike?

Larry Stylinson Rumors

One Direction could also be taking a break due to Larry Stylinson rumors. Those rumors have weighed heavily on Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, plaguing them from the beginning of 1D. Liam Payne expressed anger and disgust with Stylinson. Even Zayn Malik weighed in, saying Stylinson hindered natural interaction between band members. This Inquisitr article has the details.

The Guys Could Be Exhausted

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okt1hGUUyZw

One Direction worked under a very tight schedule for the last five years. They were constantly making albums and doing tours. It was really rough on all of them, so maybe they legitimately needed a break.

One Direction Whole Again?

Zayn Malik told Billboard that he is open to a reunion with 1D when the time is right.

“Who knows?…I don’t know. If the time was right and that was the thing to do, then I would make that decision when it came around.”

Zayn Malik misses One Direction and may be more eager to reunite than previously assumed. Liam Payne, always the peacemaker, remains in touch with Zayn and allegedly seeks to reunite all members of 1D. Is he longing for a five-member group again when the time is right? Zayn Malik told Billboard he wants to communicate with the rest of the group.

“The truth of it is, you can think one thing about a situation and the total opposite can happen. I had every intention of remaining friends with everybody, but I guess certain phone numbers have changed and I haven’t received calls from a lot of people. I’ve reached out to a few of them and not got a reply. Certain people have pride issues, but it’s stuff you overcome in time.”

Will One Direction reunite with Zayn Malik, remain only four, or break up?

[Photo by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images]