DeLaney Fisher @DeLaney__Fisher [Co Executive Newspaper Editor]

A recent facebook post has caused an uproar amongst people across the world. It has been announced on their official facebook page that One Direction is losing a member. Zayn Malik has left the group, leaving them with only four members to finish out their tour.

The official statement released on the boy band’s facebook contained a direct quote from Malik himself. “My life with One Direction has been more than 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 am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight,” he said. Malik wants to cut some of the stress out of his life by stepping out of the spotlight. The decision must have been difficult, but it is good that he was able to know his needs and stand up for them.

Though the group will feel the loss of one of its members, the remaining singers have vowed to honor the rest of their tour dates, performing as a four piece band. They will also continue to work on their fifth album which is said to be released later this year. After five years of performing together Malik decided he needed to move on, and the other members respect him and his decision. “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,” the remaining members commented in the facebook post.

Many teens are grieving the loss of Zayn, but his leaving is not all that surprising in light of recent events. He has been on a break from the tour for about a week. He took the break because of all the rumors spreading about his relationship. He started getting flack about cheating on his fiancee, Perrie Edwards, after a girl he was with posted a picture on her Instagram account. The possibility of his rumored cheating has neither been confirmed nor denied. All the attention following his picture pushed him over the edge, and was likely the final straw of being in the spotlight.

While it is sad that Malik has officially left the band after five successful years, fans can still look forward to the upcoming release of the band’s final album and continued touring.