What One Direction Members Have Been Up To Since Their Split

October 14, 2024

Highlights

One Direction members have been pursuing successful solo careers since the band's split.
Zayn Malik was the first to leave One Direction in 2015, citing mental health as a priority. The band later went on an indefinite hiatus, with members speaking out about their difficult management experience.
Louis Tomlinson faced personal tragedies with the passing of his mother and sister, but has remained strong in his music career, releasing an album and serving as a judge on The X Factor .

One Direction first came about following their auditions on The X Factor back in 2010. While the group had all gone for solo careers, fellow music mogul, Simon Cowell thought they'd be better as a band, and boy was he right!

The group, which was made up of Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, went on to become one of the best-selling boy bands of all time, joining the ranks of The Backstreet Boys, and The Jackson 5.

In 2015, Zayn announced he would be leaving the group for good. It didn't take much time before the rest of the band followed suit, mainly due to their struggles with management. After going on hiatus that same year, the band hasn't reunited since.

So, what have the members of One Direction been up to since their split? Let's find out!

One Direction: Every Member Ranked From Richest To Poorest

With each member of One Direction starting a solo career, who has come out on top so far?

Updated May 2024: In the years since One Direction members went their separate ways, it appears that time has made some members of the group see things differently. This is because Zayn Malik has admitted that he took his time with One Direction too seriously and wishes that he would have had more fun instead. According to sources, Malik is also looking to squash any issues between himself and the rest of the group. While the rest of the group, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson have remained in contact with one another since going on hiatus in 2015, it's unclear if they would be interested in reuniting with Malik or not.

12 Zayn Malik Leaves The Group

Zayn Malik left One Direction to pursue a solo career

In 2015, Directioners across the globe were shocked when fellow band member, Zayn announced that he would officially be leaving the group.

The star revealed that his mental health was far more important than sticking around and considering the toxic work environment the members had to endure, it was only a matter of time before one of them broke free, and Zayn just so happened to be the first!

Zayn seems to have had a change of heart since then, given that there are sources that say he would like to reunite with the rest of the group. Whether this comes to fruition remains to be seen.

11 The Official One Direction "Hiatus"

One Direction went on hiatus in 2015

Following Zayn's departure from the band, One Direction remained a strong unit, leaving Louis, Liam, Harry, and Niall to carry on the legacy.

Well, that same year, the band made the executive decision to go on hiatus. However, fans are certain that their "hiatus" really meant a breakup. Many of the former band members have spoken out about their management and treatment during their time together, claiming that being in the band felt like being a "prisoner" at times. Yikes!

10 One Direction Solo Careers

Harry Styles, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik have had very successful singing careers, while Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne did not gain the same following

Although One Direction came to an end in 2015, its members didn't walk away from music. Zayn was one of the first to venture off into a solo career, releasing his first album in 2017.

The remainder of the group followed suit, with Liam, Harry, and Niall gaining the most popularity of the bunch. While Louis also took on a solo career, fans felt as if he didn't have the star power to be able to make it as big on his own.

As for Harry, it's clear his Grammy win has cemented him as quite the solo success!

How Harry Styles Amassed His $120 Million Net Worth Since Leaving One Direction

Harry Styles' passion for the arts, singing, and acting has earned him global recognition and millions since One Direction's disbandment.

9 Liam Payne Dated Cheryl Cole

Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole welcomed a child together, but broke up in 2018

Liam came to prominence on The X Factor when judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, and Cheryl Cole put him through to the finals with the rest of the band. Well, in 2015, during the group's hiatus announcement, Liam began dating Cheryl Cole.

This was quite a surprise to fans, considering Cheryl was a judge in the singing competition. The two not only dated, but they share a child together! Although fans rooted for them to work out, they split in 2018 after nearly 3 years.

8 Harry Styles Turns To Acting

Harry Styles has done well with Don't Worry Darling and Miss Americana, but has put his acting career on hold to focus on singing

In addition to being one of the biggest musicians of today, with hits such as Adore You and Watermelon Sugar, Harry has also ventured off into the world of acting! The star's most recent project is My Policeman, which can be seen on streaming platforms.

Harry made his on-screen debut back in 2017 in Dunkirk, all while appearing in a handful of other projects, including Don't Worry Darling and Miss Americana.

In 2022, Styles released his third album, Harry's House, which ultimately won him a Grammy for album of the year. Styles also finished up his international tour in July 2023.

7 Louis Tomlinson's Darker Days

Louis Tomlinson lost both his mother and sister, which proved to be a hard time for him

Louis took a massive hit back in 2016 when his mother, Johannah Deakin, succumbed to her leukemia and passed away. Fans and Louis' former bandmates supported him during this very dark time. However, tragedy struck again for Tomlinson in 2019.

Louis' younger sister, Felicite passed away from a suspected heart attack after collapsing in her West London apartment. Luckily for Louis, he's got a great team around him that continues to keep him afloat!

However, music has been keeping Tomlinson busy, given that he started his own label and released an album entitled, Walls in 2020. Tomlinson was also a judge and mentor on The X Factor, where it all began for the singer.

6 One Direction Has Babies, Babies, And More Babies

Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, and Louis Tomlinson became fathers

It didn't take too much time before many of the former bandmates had families of their own! While we know Liam and Cheryl share their child, Louis and Zayn are also fathers.

Zayn and his ex-girlfriend, Gigi Hadid welcomed their daughter in 2020, while Louis welcomed his baby boy, Freddie Reign Tomlinson in 2016. This makes Harry and Niall the only two former One Direction band members to be child-free.

5 Niall Horan's Love For Golf

Niall Horan created Modest! Golf Management

In addition to being part of one of the biggest boy bands of all time, and having a massively successful solo career, Niall has ventured off into the world of...golf!

Turns out, Niall is quite the gold fiend. So much so that he co-founded Modest! Golf Management.

Fans didn't expect this business venture from Niall but it has been a success for the singer.

4 Niall Horan Became A Successful Judge On The Voice

Niall Horan was only on the show for two seasons, but he won both times he was a judge

Horan took to being a coach on The Voice where he was very successful, winning the seasons he appeared on the show. His ability to spot who the winner of the show was in the early rounds was uncanny.

Niall left the show so that he could promote his new album, due out on June 9, 2024, and to go on tour as well.

3 Harry Styles' Vogue Cover

Harry Styles has taken fashion risks since his days with One Direction, many of which have paid off

Harry has been pushing boundaries well into his One Direction days. However, following the group split, Harry has become quite the fashion icon.

The star graced the cover of Vogue magazine in December 2020. At that time, Styles sported a dress, which caused quite a lot of talk. While Harry is known for being quite open about his love for non-gender specific fashion and breaking gender roles, the public still had an issue with the cover, claiming men are no longer manly!

This has not stopped Harry from having the star power he had with One Direction. In fact, his fans embraced his look, as did his most recent girlfriend, Taylor Russell. The two broke up in May 2024.

2 One Direction Returns To The X Factor

Louis Tomlinson returned to where his music journey began as a judge on The X Factor

In 2015, Louis stepped in as a temporary judge on The X Factor, only to return again in 2018 full-time!

The singer returned to his roots, which is where it all began for him. Fans were ecstatic to see Louis back on their TV screens, and with his budding friendship with Simon Cowell only growing more and more, their rapport on the panel made for quite an interesting watch.

1 Harry Styles And Louis Tomlinson Romance Rumors Swirled

Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson did not have a romance with one another

Both while One Direction was together and after the group went on hiatus, there were rumors that Louis and Harry were romantically linked. While the two never addressed the rumors because it would not have changed anything at the height of One Direction's popularity, Louis has spoken out about the rumors since.

"I'd be lying if I said it didn't irritate me a little, but it's the nature of the job," Tomlinson explained. "There are times when it gets very personal. I have my son, Freddie. He is the most important person in my life, and occasionally, [these theories] end up addressing things that are a bit unfair. This is what we have now. There's nothing I can do about it, nothing I can say to stop people from inventing what they want to invent. So so be it."

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7tbTErZ%2Bippeoe6S7zGimp51dmbazscKtoKimXaKyrq7Eq6pmr5iWwW60wKmnnqaVmXq0tc2cnGasmJq2s3nSqaOirF8%3D