Former One Direction Members: Where Are They Now? (2024)

One Direction may be on an extended hiatus, but Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik have continued to make music — and headlines — over the years.

After forming and finishing in third place on the U.K.’s version of The X Factor in 2010, One Direction released four successful studio albums — Up All Night, Take Me Home, Midnight Memories and Four. Following five years as a group, however, Malik was the first to leave the band, announcing his departure in March 2015.

Horan, Payne, Styles and Tomlinson went on to release a fifth album, Made in the A.M., without Malik. Shortly after the record dropped, however, the remaining band members announced they were taking an extended hiatus. Less than a year later, Us Weekly broke the news in that the foursome decided “not to renew their recording contract,” ultimately calling it quits as a band.

Scroll through for an update on where the former 1D stars are today:

Credit: Getty Images (2)

Former One Direction Members: Where Are They Now — Relationships, Breakups, Babies and More

One Direction may be on an extended hiatus, but Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik have continued to make music — and headlines — over the years.After forming and finishing in third place on the U.K.’s version of The X Factor in 2010, One Direction released four successful studio albums — Up All Night, Take Me Home, Midnight Memories and Four. Following five years as a group, however, Malik was the first to leave the band, announcing his departure in March 2015.Horan, Payne, Styles and Tomlinson went on to release a fifth album, Made in the A.M., without Malik. Shortly after the record dropped, however, the remaining band members announced they were taking an extended hiatus. Less than a year later, Us Weekly broke the news in that the foursome decided “not to renew their recording contract,” ultimately calling it quits as a band.Scroll through for an update on where the former 1D stars are today:

Credit: Getty Images (2)

Niall Horan

The Irish singer landed a solo record deal in 2016, releasing singles “This Town” and “Slow Hands” from his debut album, Flicker, in 2017.

In addition to hitting the road to promote his new music, Horan started a relationship with Hailee Steinfeld in 2018. Us confirmed in December 2018 that the twosome called it quits after months of dating. “Niall wrapped up his tour and had more free time, but Hailee’s work schedule really ramped up, so they didn’t have time for a relationship,” a source told Us at the time. “They still have a lot of love for each other.” He released his second album,Heartbreak Weather, in 2020.

He began dating fashion buyer Amelia Woolley in May 2020. His third record, The Show, debuted in June 2023.

Credit: Getty Images (2)

Liam Payne

One year after Payne started dating singer Cheryl Cole in 2016, they welcomed a son named Bear. While the duo called it quits in July 2018, they work together to coparent their baby boy. “I’m the strict one; Liam isn’t,” Cole told The Telegraph in April 2019. “[Liam is] much softer than me. But it is what it is, and I’m OK about it. When you have a baby, you are not consumed with just thinking about yourself. It’s your responsibility to keep things settled and happy, so you make the best of everything. And we have.”

Payne released “Strip That Down” in 2017, followed by his debut album,LP1, in 2019.

The British crooner was also briefly linked tosupermodel Naomi Campbellbefore gettingengaged to modelMaya Henryin August 2020. He confirmed the pair's split in June 2021. The following month, news broke that they were back together.

In May 2022, Us confirmed that the duo called it quits for good.Payne was linked to Kate Cassidy in late 2022, but the romance fizzled by early 2023, Us confirmed at the time.

Credit: Getty Images; Shutterstock

Harry Styles

Styles’ self-titled debut album topped the charts in 14 countries following its 2017 release. Rolling Stone also named the lead single, “Sign of the Times,” the song of the year. Styles hasn’t stopped there though — he made his movie debut in 2017’s Dunkirk alongside Fionn Whitehead, Tom Glynn-Carney and Jack Lowdenand released a second critically acclaimed album,Fine Line, in 2019.

The singer’s personal life made headlines when he reunited with ex-flame Kendall Jenner several times since their original 2013 fling. In September 2016, the pair even spent three consecutive days together, with a source telling Us that the model was “superhappy, bubbly and excited that he got back in touch with her.” The exes most recently hung out onThe Late Late Show With James Corden in December 2019.

After meeting on the set of Don’t Worry Darling, Styles began dating Olivia Wilde in January 2021. Us confirmed in November 2022 that the twosome had split after nearly two years as a couple. The following year, Styles moved on with Taylor Russell. Us confirmed in August 2023 that the pair had been “dating for a few months” after first being linked in June of that year.

Styles' third solo album, Harry's House, dropped in May 2022. At the 65th Annual Grammy Awards in February 2023, the LP took home prizes for Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year.

Credit: Getty Images (2)

Louis Tomlinson

Tomlinson paved the way for Payne as the first member of the band to start a family in January 2016 when his ex Briana Jungwirth gave birth to their son, Freddie.

He released singles “Back to You” and “Just Like You” in 2017 following One Direction’s split. The musician also returned to The X Factor, serving as a judge on the 15th season of the U.K. singing competition. His first album,Walls, came out in 2020. In November 2022, he released his second album, Faith in the Future, and announced a solo headlining tour for the following year. In March 2023, Tomlinson dropped the documentary All of Those Voices about his life post-1D.

The “Two of Us” singer faced a personal hardship in March 2019 when his 18-year-old sister, Félicité, died. “Just wanted to thank everyone for their lovely words over the past couple of weeks,” Tomlinson tweeted in April 2019. “Back in the studio today to vocal something I wrote a few months ago. Sending you all loads of love x.” His mother also passed in December 2016, a year after the group last sang together.

Credit: Getty Images (2)

Zayn Malik

Malik found success with hit single “Pillowtalk” and debut studio album Mind of Mine in 2016. After taking home an American Music Award and MTV VMA, the “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” singer released in his second studio album, Icarus Falls, in December 2018. His third album,Nobody is Listening, debuted in January 2021.

Malik split from fiancée Perrie Edwards shortly after his exit from 1D and began seeing model Gigi Hadid. The twosome started seeing each other in late 2015 and continued dating on and off for years. In September 2020, they welcomed their first child, Khai Hadid Malik.

One year after the birth of their daughter, Us confirmed that Malik and Hadid had split.

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Former One Direction Members: Where Are They Now? (2024)

FAQs

Former One Direction Members: Where Are They Now? ›

One Direction was formed in 2010 but went on indefinite hiatus in 2016. Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik all have solo careers now. Malik, Payne, and Tomlinson each have children.

What happened to all the members of One Direction? ›

One Direction was formed in 2010 but went on indefinite hiatus in 2016. Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik all have solo careers now. Malik, Payne, and Tomlinson each have children.

Who is still famous from One Direction? ›

Former One Direction Members: Where Are They Now — Relationships, Breakups, Babies and More. One Direction may be on an extended hiatus, but Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik have continued to make music — and headlines — over the years.

Are Niall and Harry still friends? ›

Harry Styles and Niall Horan may not be spotted together a lot since One Direction went on their 2015 hiatus, but the former band members are still close. While the “Watermelon Sugar” crooner has become a worldwide sensation, his Irish pal has always been there to support.

Who has the most successful solo career in One Direction? ›

Let's dive in. For a little while, Zayn was the most successful member of One Direction, when looking at their solo careers, but now that honor goes to Harry Styles. After the boy band split, Styles tried something a little risky and began creating art that blends pop sensibilities with throwback sounds.

Which One Direction member is the least successful? ›

Liam Payne, who has not yet released a solo album, has the lowest reported net worth out of the members of the band.

Why did Zayn really leave One Direction? ›

But now, Zayn has talked about the real reason for it, while speaking to Alex Cooper on the podcast 'Call Her Daddy'. Zayn said that he knew something was amiss when the band refused to sign more contracts. He also wanted to quickly exit and be the first one to bring out a solo record.

Is Zayn and Liam still friends? ›

Despite saying a few years ago that he was closest with Liam still, in multiple interviews since Zayn has said how he's not really in touch with any of the 1D boys, and even said he “didn't make any friends from the band”.

Did Niall unfollow Liam? ›

Niall Horan And Liam Payne Are Feuding And We Cannot

Just recently, fans noticed that Niall not only deleted photos of himself and Liam off Instagram, he also UNFOLLOWED HIM!

Who is considered the lead singer of One Direction? ›

Harry Styles's Lead Vocals Throughout Each One Direction Album Broken Down. Harry Styles fans have broken down his lead vocals from his One Direction days and it's a seriously interesting insight into what the 'Adore You' singer was serving during his time in the band.

Who was the first singer to leave One Direction? ›

Malik was the first to leave One Direction in 2015, after the group had steadily put out chart-topping songs like “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Story of My Life” and “Best Song Ever.” The boy band, assembled through the British musical competition show “The X Factor,” was together for about six years and developed a ...

Who is the most famous singer in One Direction? ›

Why did One Direction split up? ›

One Direction's Zayn Malik reveals real reason he left the band: 'Sick of each other' One Direction's split in January 2016 can be traced back to the moment Zayn Malik announced he was leaving the band in 2015. He previously put the shock decision down to “stress” before embarking on his solo career.

Did all of One Direction break up? ›

The band announced its separation in 2015. Though they promised it was just a break, each of the group's five members are focused on their own careers. On July 23, 2010, one of the most successful boy bands of recent years was formed.

Why did Zayn and Harry leave One Direction? ›

Malik was the first member to leave One Direction in 2015, citing "stress" and saying he wanted to be a "normal 22-year-old". But on the podcast he revealed there was more behind his decision. His bandmates had refused to sign new contracts so he decided to "jump the gun".

Why did Zayn leave One Direction? ›

But now, Zayn has talked about the real reason for it, while speaking to Alex Cooper on the podcast 'Call Her Daddy'. Zayn said that he knew something was amiss when the band refused to sign more contracts. He also wanted to quickly exit and be the first one to bring out a solo record.

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