From throwing insults to talking about a reunion, here's everything One Direction members have said since their hiatus

Paige DiFiore,Christina DambrosioOct 17, 2024, 21:44 IST

One Direction has been on hiatus for a few years.Frazer Harrison/AMA2013/FilmMagic/Getty

One Direction shot to stardom in 2010 after competing on "The X Factor" and went on hiatus in 2015.
Zayn Malik has said he made no friends while in One Direction and didn't like their music.

One Direction was one of the most popular bands of the 2010s, producing multiple top-10 hits and five full-length albums. They sold out tours in stadiums and arenas around the globe.

The band was formed in 2010 on the UK version of "The X Factor" and is comprised of five guys who auditioned as solo artists: Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson.

After years of reaching milestones and breaking records, the band started to slow down. In early 2015, it was announced on Facebook that Zayn Malik would be leaving the band. The four remaining members released a final album and announced an extended hiatus in August 2015.

Since the announcement of the so-called hiatus, members have gone on to pursue solo interests and have commented on potential reunions as well as their current relationships with their bandmates. On October 16, 2024, Payne died at the age of 31.

Here's everything members of One Direction have said about the band and each other since announcing their hiatus:

In his first interview after leaving the band, Zayn Malik called One Direction's music "generic as fuck."

Zayn Malik said he wasn't 100% behind the band's music.Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP

In 2015, Malik said he wouldn’t listen to One Direction’s music.

He spent years creating music for 1D.Kevin Winter/Getty Images

In 2015, Malik seemed to suggest One Direction's music wasn't "real."

Fans weren't pleased to hear this.Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

In 2016, Malik said he never wanted to be in One Direction.

Ouch.TriStar Pictures

In 2017, Malik said he and Styles didn't really talk when they were in the band together. He also said he didn't really talk to any of his bandmates anymore.

Many fans thought the members of the group had been friends.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic/Getty

In 2018, Malik has said he didn't make a single friend during his time in One Direction.

This was hard for many fans to hear.AP

That same year, Malik told GQ he felt his vision was not aligned with the band's.

That certainly explains why he left.Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Malik has also said, toward the end, he felt he wasn't able to enjoy the experience of being in the band.

He referred to One Direction as a "machine."Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

In 2021, Malik said Horan was his favorite member of One Direction.

Zayn Malik in May 2016.Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Styles responded to some of Malik's comments in 2017.

Harry Styles said it's a "shame" Zayn Malik didn't think One Direction's music was cool.Mike Marsland/WireImage/Getty

Styles has also explained why he felt the band's hiatus was best for their long-term success.

He said he loves One Direction.Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP

In 2017, Styles said a 1D reunion could eventually come about if everyone was in the right mindset.

Harry Styles said he isn't opposed to a reunion.Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

While hosting "Saturday Night Live" in November 2019, Styles joked about Malik's leaving the band.

Harry Styles hosted and performed on "SNL" in 2019.Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic

In 2020, Styles spoke about Malik leaving One Direction.

Harry Styles said he's not sure Zayn Malik should've stayed.Rich Fury / Getty Images

On the 10-year anniversary of One Direction in July 2020, Styles shared a heartwarming Instagram post.

Harry Styles said he's grateful for One Direction.JNI/Star Max/GC Images

In 2020, Styles spoke to Vogue about being part of the band.

Harry Styles is the December 2020 Vogue cover star.Joe Maher/Getty Images for Bauer Media

In December 2020, he also spoke about what it was like being in One Direction

Harry Styles has spoken fondly of his time in One Direction.Getty

In April 2022, Styles spoke more about his time in One Direction.

Harry Styles at the 2022 Coachella music festival.Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for ABA

In February 2023, some former band members congratulated Styles on his Grammy wins.

Harry Styles accepting the award for album of the year at the 2023 Grammys.Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

In April 2023, Styles spoke about a future One Direction reunion.

Harry StylesTerence Patrick/CBS via Getty Images

In 2017, Tomlinson said he was feeling more confident than ever just before the band's hiatus.

Louis Tomlinson said he was becoming more confident just before the band split.Vivien Killilea/GettyImages

That same year, Tomlinson said he thought he would have a harder time than his bandmates trying to work with major names in the music industry.

Louis Tomlinson has collaborated with a few stars.C Flanigan/FilmMagic/Getty

On the nine-year anniversary of the band being formed, Tomlinson sent his love to his bandmates.

Louis Tomlinson is working on his music career.C Flanigan/FilmMagic

In 2019, Louis Tomlinson said he thinks a 1D reunion is "inevitable" and he wasn't ready for the band to split when it did.

Louis Tomlinson said he doesn't know when it will happen.Bryan Steffy/GettyImages

In 2019, Tomlinson also spoke about his and Malik's strained friendship.

Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik had seemed close when they were in the band together.Steve Granitz/WireImage/Getty

Tomlinson continued to speak about his strained relationship with Malik.

Tomlinson said he's not sure he's ready to forgive him.Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

In January 2020, Tomlinson spoke about how often he speaks to his bandmates and he mentioned the idea of a reunion.

Louis Tomlinson is the oldest one in One Direction.Zak Hussein/Corbis via Getty

That same month, Tomlinson said he loves One Direction

Louis Tomlinson said he misses his bandmates, too.Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

In July 2020, on the 10-year anniversary of One Direction, Tomlinson shared an Instagram post.

Louis Tomlinson said he looks back and feels "incredibly proud" of One Direction's success.Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

In July 2022, Tomlinson called "Up All Night" a "shit" album.

Louis Tomlinson had hardly any solo performances on "Up All Night."Jo Hale/Redferns/Getty Images

In September 2022, Tomlinson said he and Malik still hadn't made up.

Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik had a falling out about seven years ago.Fred Duval/Getty

In November 2022, Tomlinson spoke about Styles' success bothering him at first.

Louis Tomlinson said he sees Harry Styles as a "brother."Noam Galai/Getty Images

In February 2023, Tomlinson said the band's split left him "mortified" but he'd do a reunion.

Louis Tomlinson said he'd be up for a reunion eventually.Kevin Winter / Getty

In 2017, Liam Payne said he wasn't a fan of Styles' song "Sign of the Times."

Liam Payne said it's not really his style of music.Frazer Harrison/AMA2013/FilmMagic/Getty

That same year, during a speech, Payne made a joke about Malik's departure from the band.

Liam Payne's joke was about Zayn Malik leaving One Direction.Fred Duval/Getty

In 2019, Payne told a fan on X to stop asking him about the hiatus.

Liam Payne has released solo music.Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty

In 2019, Payne spoke about how "dumb luck" played a role in 1D's success and how the fame could get toxic.

Liam Payne said sometimes being in the band was toxic.Tristan Fewings/Getty

That same year, Payne said he'd like to collaborate with Styles.

Liam Payne and Harry Styles have different music styles.Ethan Miller/Getty Images for iHeartMedia

Payne has also called himself the "anti-christ version" of Styles.

Liam Payne has implied that he and Harry Styles really aren't that close.Al Pereira / Contributor / Getty Images

In 2019, Payne said a One Direction reunion is "at least" two years away.

He thinks the band will get back together eventually.Marc Piasecki/GC Images/Getty Images

Also in 2019, Payne implied that he wasn't close to most of his bandmates.

He compared being in One Direction to being in an office.Paul Zimmerman/WireImage/Getty

Payne said going solo was tough but fun, and that he and his bandmates are finding their place in the music world.

He said it was a bit scary and lonely to become his own boss, but it's a lot of fun, too.Dominique Charriau/WireImage

He also said he and his bandmates have had their differences, but he found it "strange" that Malik never said goodbye.

Liam Payne says he often performed while "pissed."Jo Hale/Redferns/Getty Images

In December 2019, Payne said he's the most well-endowed member of One Direction and spoke about how he recently reunited with Styles after years of not seeing him.

Payne said him and Styles "spoke about kids and happiness and all sorts of stuff."zz/KGC-03/STAR MAX/IPx

In April 2020, Payne said he and his bandmates were working on a special 10-year anniversary project.

Liam Payne said One Direction may do something special for their 10-year anniversary.Andrea Raffin/Shutterstock

Payne has said Malik was the best singer in One Direction.

Liam Payne said he's tried to get in touch with Zayn Malik.Zak Hussein/Corbis via Getty

Payne has also said he thinks Malik enjoys making music but not "what comes with it."

Liam Payne said Zayn Malik didn't want to audition for One Direction.Dave M. Benett/Getty Images

In July 2020, Payne shared some of his memories from the day One Direction was formed.

Liam Payne said the group used to sing in unison a lot, and it sounded "horrible."Mike Marsland/WireImage/Getty Images

On One Direction's 10-year anniversary in July 2020, Payne shared a text he'd sent to his dad.

One Direction was formed years ago.Isabel Infantes/PA Images via Getty Images

In October 2020, Payne listened to Styles' song "Golden" while on a YouTube livestream.

Liam Payne said the song was "10 out of 10."Liam Payne/Instagram

In December 2020, Payne said he and Styles didn't speak for a bit after 1D disbanded.

Liam Payne said Harry Styles never really lost himself.MEGA / Contributor / GettyImages

In March 2021, Payne congratulated Styles for his Grammy win.

Liam Payne in 2020.TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP via Getty Images

In June 2021, Payne talked about his past alcohol abuse and suicidal ideations.

Liam Payne in 2018.Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock

In May 2022, Payne spoke about his time in the band on the "Impaulsive" podcast.

Liam Payne was on the podcast in 2022.Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP; ITV

In March 2023, Payne shared a sweet tribute to Tomlinson.

Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne in 2023.Justin E Palmer/GC Images/Getty Images

In July 2023, Payne circled back to his divisive comments on the "Impaulsive" podcast.

Liam Payne has apologized for some comments he's made in the past.Dave Benett/Getty Images for Annabel's

In 2017, Horan shared that he doesn't regularly keep in touch with Malik but he has kept in touch with some of his other bandmates.

Niall Horan said it's hard to get in touch with Zayn Malik.Frazer Harrison/AMA2013/FilmMagic/Getty

That same year, Horan said he sometimes feels as though he is still in One Direction

Niall Horan is now a solo artist.CraSH/imageSPACE / MediaPunch/AP

In that same interview, Horan said he has nothing but respect for his former bandmates.

Niall Horan didn't directly respond to any of Zayn Malik's comments.Fred Duval/Getty

In March 2020, Horan spoke about his relationship with his bandmates.

Niall Horan said he regularly speaks to Louis Tomlinson.Getty Images

In that same interview, Horan said he and his former bandmates don't really talk to one another about their music.

Niall Horan said it's not because they're competing with one another.Getty Images/Dave Hogan for One Love Manchester

On One Direction's 10-year anniversary in July 2020, Horan shared a sweet Instagram post.

Niall Horan shared a photo of all five band members for the anniversary.Amy Harris/Invision/AP

In March 2021, Horan spoke about how he was feeling just before the band went on hiatus.

Niall Horan pursued a solo career shortly after One Direction went on hiatus.CBS Photo Archive / GettyImages

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