S'pore fans react to Zayn Malik's departure with tears, disbelief and hate for his fiancee
One Direction fans have been beside themselves with grief after news broke that Zayn Malik had quit the band.
Malik had said in a statement posted on the band's Facebook page on Wednesday (March 25): "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."
The announcement of his departure came about a week after the 22-year-old left the band's On the Road Again world tour, citing stress.
Remaining members Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Niall Horan performed in Jakarta, Indonesia on Wednesday soon after the news broke.
Styles was reportedly seen wiping away tears during the concert.
Styles and Payne took to Twitter after the performance.
The band said in a statement that it will continue on as a four-piece and complete the tour. It will also be recording a fifth album this year.
Fans have taken to social media to express their disbelief and sorrow over Zayn's departure.
Yes, there has been a lot of crying.
The hashtag #AlwaysInOurHeartsZaynMalik was trending on Twitter in Singapore on Thursday (March 26).
Some fans, however, have taken to lashing out at Malik's fiancee, singer Perrie Edwards from girl group Little Mix, whom they blame for Malik's departure.
Yoko Ono, John Lennon’s wife, has been accused of breaking up the Beatles.
Gary Barlow, whose boy band Take That underwent a similar experience in 1996 with Robbie Williams' departure, offered a few words of comfort.
Howard Donald, also of Take That, gave some advice as well.
X Factor judge Louis Walsh reportedly told Irish radio station RTE Radio One: "The problem with these guys is they've been in a bubble for the last five years, pressure, working, a lot harder than people think, so something had to give.
"So Zayn was the first person just to crack up a little bit."
Sources: Mail Online, Sky News, US Weekly, NY Daily News, Gossip Cop, The Independent
Related reports:
BREAKING: Zayn Malik quits One Direction to be a 'normal 22-year-old'
BREAKING: Zayn Malik quits One Direction tour due to 'stress'
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