Zayn Malik delivered a shocker to his fans when he announced he was quitting the chart-topping band One Direction.
The British singer announced on Wednesday he was quitting the band “to be a normal 22-year-old.” His bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne — currently in the middle of their On The Road Again world tour — offered their best wishes, but said they’d continue as a quartet.
One Direction formed in 2010 after five teenagers — Styles, Payne, Horan, Tomlinson and Malik — auditioned individually for the British TV talent show The X Factor. The quintet soon became one of the world’s top pop acts with multiplatinum records, sold-out tours and even a hit movie. In the wake of Malik’s departure, here’s a look at One Direction’s best moments in pictures.
FILE - In this April 18, 2013, file photo, wax figures of British band One Direction, from left to right, Niall Horan , Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, and Harry Styles, are revealed at Madame Tussauds in central London. Malik said Wednesday, March 25, 2015, he is leaving chart-topping boy band One Direction "to be a normal 22-year-old." His bandmates said they were sad to see him go "but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future." (Photo by Joel Ryan/Invision/AP, file)
Image Credit: AP
FILE- In this Nov. 23, 2014, file photo, Liam Payne, from left, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles of boyband One Direction arrive at the 42nd annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles.Malik said Wednesday, March 25, 2015, he is leaving chart-topping boy band One Direction "to be a normal 22-year-old." His bandmates said they were sad to see him go "but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future." (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP, file)
Image Credit: John Shearer/Invision/AP
One Direction, from left, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan.
Image Credit: AP
Zayn Malik of One Direction gives his autograph to Japanese fans during an event for their film "One Direction: This Is Us", in Makuhari near Tokyo.
Image Credit: AP
FILE - In this Nov. 13, 2012 file photo, One Direction member Zayn Malik performs on NBC's "Today" show in New York. Malik said Wednesday, March 25, 2015, he is leaving chart-topping boy band One Direction "to be a normal 22-year-old." Malik's bandmates said they were sad to see him go "but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future." (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)
Image Credit: Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
FILE - In this Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012 file photo, members of One Direction, from left, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles win their first Brit Award for best British Single for the track, "What Makes You Beautiful" during the Brit Awards 2012 at the O2 Arena in London. Malik said Wednesday, March 25, 2015, he is leaving chart-topping boy band One Direction "to be a normal 22-year-old." His bandmates said they were sad to see him go "but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future." (AP Photo/Joel Ryan, File)
Image Credit: AP
FILE- In this Aug. 20, 2013 file photo, members of One Direction, from left, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, second right and Liam Payne, right, pose with mentor Simon Cowell at the UK Premiere of "One Direction: This Is Us 3D" in London. Malik said Wednesday, March 25, 2015, he is leaving the band "to be a normal 22-year-old." His bandmates said they were sad to see him go "but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future." (Photo by Jon Furniss/Invision/AP, File)
Image Credit: Jon Furniss/Invision/AP
FILE- In this March 12, 2012 file photo, One Direction band members from left, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik pose during a CD signing for their debut album "Up All Night," at J&R Music World in New York. Malik said Wednesday, March 25, 2015, he is leaving chart-topping boy band One Direction "to be a normal 22-year-old." His bandmates said they were sad to see him go "but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future." (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, File)
Image Credit: AP
FILE- In this Sept. 6, 2012, file photo, British band One Direction, from left, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik and Niall Horan pose backstage after winning the awards for Best New Artist and Best Pop Video for the track, "What Makes You Beautiful" at the MTV Video Music Awards, Los Angeles. Malik said Wednesday, March 25, 2015, he is leaving chart-topping boy band One Direction "to be a normal 22-year-old." His bandmates said they were sad to see him go "but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future." (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
Image Credit: JORDAN STRAUSS/INVISION/AP
