One Direction started out as five teenagers put together by Simon Cowell after solo tryouts on The X-Factor but has now become four. After several months of supposed conflict between the members of the band, an official statement of Zayn Malik’s leave was announced on Wednesday, March 25.

“My life with One Direction has been more that I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I’d like to apologize to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I know my four friends will continue to be the best band,” Malik said.

The statement was released after Malik did not appear at several tour dates and appearances as well as reports of Zayn having multiple affairs although engaged to Perrie Edwards, the lead singer of the band Little Mix. Reportedly, Malik was given the choice to clean up his act or leave after several allegations of severe drug and alcohol use. People believe this may be the cause of the leave of Zayn from One Direction, but after all the suspicions and questions, Zayn Malik promptly explained his departure simply.

“I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who’s able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight,” Zayn said.

Simon  Cowell reportedly allowed Malike to get out of the contract of the band on the condition that Syco, a double music global venture of Simon Cowell and Sony Music Entertainment, would release his solo material. Cowell released a statement to express his gratitude towards Zayn Malik.

“I would like to thank Zayn for everything he has done for One Direction. Since I first met Zayn in 2010, I have grown very, very fond and proud of him. I have seen him grow in confidence and I am truly sorry to see him leave. As for One Direction, fans can rest assured that Niall, Liam, Harry and Louis are hugely excited about the future of the band,” Cowell said.

Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, the remaining four members of One Direction, have made very few comments about the situation except several tweets and posts to fans thanking them for support.

“We’re really sad to see Zayn go, but we totally
respect his decision and send him all our love for the future. The past five years have been beyond amazing, we’ve gone through so much together, so we will always be friends. The four of us will now continue. We’re looking forward to recording the new album and seeing all the fans on the next stage of the world tour,” One Direction said in an official statement on their Facebook page.

All five boys are supposedly on good terms and understand their differences with no reason to break the friendship they have.

“My band has been really supportive. They’ve been very cool about the break. And they understand that, you know. They still want to do the band for a while, so they’re going to carry on doing what they want to do. And I think they are going to do okay for a while. I think they are going to be cool,” Malik said.

After the statement was released and an online argument between Naughtyboy and Louis Tomlinson over Zayn occurred, Malik’s official Twitter account lost over 50,000 followers. When asked about the loss of faith fans had in his decision, he was able to keep his positivity.

“I feel like I’m doing what’s right- right by myself and right by the boys, so I feel good,” Zayn said.

Fans all around the globe have been taking the news differently, but most have had an extreme trouble accepting the news. Hundreds of fans that were affected by the break took compassionate leave from work. Things became so out of hand, with death threats to themselves and others, a British mental health organizations called Mind released a statement to attempt to calm disturbed fans and keep the peace.