Why Did One Direction Break Up- What Happened Between Liam Payne and Zayn Malik?

Regarded as one of the biggest and best-selling boy groups of all time, One Direction, shortened to 1D, is an English-Irish pop boy band. The band members consist of Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne. 1D rose to worldwide recognition post The X-factor, where they placed third but eventually went on to propel global success before going on an indefinite hiatus in 2016.

One Direction became one of the most loved boy band groups in the world, and their popularity is unmatched to date. Following Malik’s exit, the group announced in 2015 that they’d go on hiatus in 2016 to work on their solo projects but have plans to work as a band in the future. Their final performance as a group was on Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on 31st December 2015. Fans have dug deep into trying to know and understand Malik’s departure and rumors of a rift between the members.

Zayn Malik opens up about his decision to leave One Direction

Fans across the world were shocked and taken by surprise when Zayn Malik announced in 2015 that he had decided to leave One Direction to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. Malik, in his statement (via Billboard) at the time, apologized to the fans, stating that he just wanted to do what feels right in his heart.

The four members, including Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Liam Payne, shared that they are sad to see Zayn go, but at the same time, they respect his decision. The boys at the time went on to mention that they would continue what they had started as a group, and even though Malik won’t be a part of the group, he’ll always be a friend.

However, it was later rumored that the Pillowtalk singer had decided to leave because the boys didn’t get along well. In 2017, Malik spoke to Dan Wootton and shared (via Just Simon Cowell),

It is crazy and wild and a bit mad, but at the same time, I’ve never felt more control in my life. I’m only upset because I feel I may have let them down in some sort of way; that’s the main thing that I don’t want to happen. It’s not that I’ve turned my back on them or anything; it’s just that I can’t do that anymore because it’s not real to me.

Payne, however, clarified that despite Malik’s comment, everything was good and fine between them. In 2020, Liam Payne, in his interview with the Killing It podcast, went on to shade Malik by stating that he makes music but doesn’t perform. Payne added that Malik had such performance anxiety that he just couldn’t put his head around it. He also added,

I think he is just kind of happy. He likes going to the studio and making songs; he just doesn’t want to do anything that happens after that. But he is streaming hugely.

Liam Payne’s interview with Logan Paul, however, did not sit right with the fans, as he went on to state that there are many reasons why he didn’t like Malik and many reasons why he’d always be on his side. He mentioned that difference in their upbringing being one of the reasons and added that during an argument a member threw him up a wall. His ex-fiancé Maya Henry mentioned in a TikTok video that Liam Payne told her that the member was Zayn.

After his comments on Paul’s podcast, after reading comments online, Payne took to his social media to apologize to Zayn Malik. He added that listening back to what he had said, he didn’t articulate himself as well as he should have. He called Malik his brother and family, noting that he would always stand by him. Upon his appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Malik admitted that they all got sick of each other. He said when asked about the moment he decided he needed to leave:

I think I’d known for a minute. I don’t want to go into too much detail, but there was a lot of politics going on. Certain people were doing certain things; certain people didn’t want to sign contracts, so I knew something was happening. So I just got ahead of the curve, if I’m being honest with you. I was like, ‘I’m just going to get out of it. I think this is done.

He also added that he wanted to be the first person to go and make his own record. Malik noted that he’s passive, serious, and competitive when it comes to his music.

Zayn Malik pens down a heartfelt tribute to Liam Payne’s demise

Following the shocking and unfortunate death of 31-year-old Liam Payne, Zayn Malik took to his social media to share a heartbreaking tribute for his brother. He wrote,

Liam, I have found myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me. I can’t help but think selfishly that there was so much more conversation for us to have in our lives. I never got to thank you for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life. When I was missing home as a 17-year-old kid, you would always be there with a positive outlook and reassuring smile and let me know you were a friend and that I was loved.

Malik went on to mention he could not explain what he’d give to just hug him one last time say goodbye to him properly and tell him that he loved and respected Payne dearly. The singer added that even though Payne was younger than him, he was always more sensible, headstrong, and opinionated and did not care much about telling people that they were wrong.

The Pillowtalk singer noted that even though they butted heads because of Payne’s attitude a few times, he always secretly admired him for that. He concluded his tribute by saying that he’ll always cherish the memories he’s had with him, and there are no words to justify how he feels right now. Zayn Malik lastly added that he wishes Liam Payne knew how loved he is.

There has been no specific reason stated ever that clarifies why Zayn Malik and Liam Payne didn’t get along. But it has been known over the years that it’s just that their personalities clashed, but at the end of the day, the singers really admired each other.

Liam Payne passed away on October 16, 2024, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The cause of his death has been determined as multiple traumatic injuries, internal and external hemorrhage.

Rest in Peace, Liam Payne!