The Zayn Malik saga

As I’m sure most of the world’s population is aware by now, Zayn Malik (pictured), one-fifth of One Direction has left the band.

Announced last night (25 March) through a statement on the boyband’s Facebook page, the news has led to devastation from devoted 1D fans all over the world.

The story began last week when Zayn was signed-off the group’s tour with stress, suspiciously soon after he was pictured cuddling a woman who has not his fiancé Perrie Edwards, singer in girl band Little Mix.

This has lead to some fans implying that the mass of female attention balance with his relationship with Perrie is the reason Zayn quit the band. One fan tweeted: “PERRIE EDWARDS IS THE YOKO ONO OF ONE DIRECTION”, referencing when Beatles’ member John Lennon’s widow Yoko Ono being the reason the Beatles ended their career.

One Direction has confirmed they will continue as a four-piece and their current world tour will carry on as planned.

In the statement on their Facebook page, the band said: “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.”

Zayn added: “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 apologise 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. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world.”

 

Zayn Malik and Perrie Edwards

Whatever the reason; stress, the pressures of fame, his relationship with Perrie, the news has hit 1D fans in a big way.

Many have taken to Twitter to vent their frustration and sadness at Zayn’s departure and startling trends such as #ZaynPain and #Cut4Zayn reflect the severity of the pressures from some fans Zayn must have been experiencing, and simply wanted to escape from. 

Online trends such as this illustrate the dangers of obsession with something you cannot control, whether it be a film, book, a band, or something else entirely.

One fan, @jessnoopdogg tweeted: “@zaynmalik U have let me down U have rly let me down”, whilst another,@Robynnmanzo said: “Nobody understands that this isn't just ‘Zayn malik leaving one direction’ this is the end to a huge part of me I'm dying inside.” and @talkdirtylouis posted: “I DON'T EXIST IF WE DON'T HAVE ZAYN THE SUN DOESNT SHINE THE WORLD DOESN'T TURN ALRIGHT.”

In reaction, a spokesperson from mental health chairty Mind said: “Upsetting life events can spark feelings of distress or anxiety and it’s important to seek help if you are going through a difficult time.

“Used in a positive way, social media can play a useful role in a person’s wider support network. However, it is vital to recognise the huge danger created by any site or social media trend that promotes self-harm.

"Self-harm is an incredibly serious problem and should never be trivialised. We urge those using Twitter or other social media sites at this time not to engage with posts that promote harmful behaviour, and to report any activity that causes them concern.”

The ironic thing is, ‘trends’ such as #Cut4Zayn are likely to have pushed Zayn into quitting his life in spotlight. And maybe reactions from the general public have also sparked frustration and the idea that a 22-year-old, no matter his circumstances, couldn’t possibly understand what it is like to experience stress. 

Neil Shah, founder of The Stress Management Society and author of The 10-Step Stress Solution, said: “Stress can affect everyone, no matter of age, sex, career, financial status. If the demand exceeds the person's resources, the person will experience burn out."

In fact, a person’s ability to cope with everyday life is not always utterly dependant on their experiences, lifestyle or situation, and stress, anxiety and depression can occur due to someone’s body and/or mind being unable to deal with life as a whole. The conditions are about a chemical imbalance in the brain, and not how much money you have, or what your job is like. But factors such as these can trigger mental health issues on occasion. 

One Direction

As for the future of 1D, the band’s manger Simon Cowell said: “Fans can rest assured that Niall, Liam, Harry and Louis are hugely excited about the future of the band.”

However, music fans have watched this type of saga unfold time and time again. From Take That to the Spice Girls, many bands eventually part ways after one member becomes suspiciously ill, leaves the group in due course, and the remaining members are unable to cope without the quitting member. 

It’s clear to see that Zayn Malik’s departure has left many One Direction fans devastated. But the fact is, he made the decision to quit and no amount of begging, pleading or cutting for that matter is going to make him re-join anytime soon.