Where are One Direction now? From fatherhood to controversies

A Whole Lot of History: Fatherhood and A-list romances to Hollywood movie roles, cracking the US and more than a few controversies – a look at the varied highs and lows of One Direction after Harry Styles’ Grammy success

They were one of the best-selling boy bands of all time and won nearly 200 awards.

But in August 2015, One Direction decided to take a hiatus for a year, breaking the hearts of fans across the globe.

They had already lost one member of the group in Zayn Malik, who quit the band in 2015 saying: ‘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.’

The temporary split soon became permanent in January 2016 and the foursome went their separate ways.

From there some of their careers exploded, while others found themselves embroiled in controversies.

The highs and lows of One Direction: While some of the band’s fortunes and careers exploded following their split in 2016, others have found themselves embroiled in controversy

Hiatus: In August 2015, One Direction decided to take a hiatus for a year, breaking the hearts of fans across the globe (L-R Niall, Zayn, Louis, Liam and Garry in 2013)

Three of the five became first time dads and several enjoyed high-profile romances with fellow celebrities.

MailOnline takes a look at where all the members of One Direction ended up.

Harry Styles 

Arguably the most successful since the breakup of the band, is Harry Styles.

Harry didn’t waste much time on his solo ambitions, signing a contract with Columbia Records, the same label behind 1D, in 2016.

His first solo album came 11 months later earning chart success and critical acclaim as well as spawning a world tour.

In between his first and second solo albums, Harry decided to try his hands at becoming a movie star – landing a role in Christopher Nolan’s WW2 epic Dunkirk.

His sophomore album Fine Line dropped in late 2019 featuring the hit singles Watermelon Sugar and Adore You.

He hit the headlines once again for his love life in early 2021 when he was photographed holding hands with actress and director Olivia Wilde, who had just cast him in her movie Don’t Worry Darling.


Superstar: Arguably the most successful since the breakup of the band, is Harry Styles

Confusion over the timeline of Olivia’s split from her long-term partner Jason Sudeikis as well as the new couple’s ten-year age difference caused a frenzy which reached fever pitch during the publicity tour for the movie.

Alongside the romance headlines, Harry won his first Grammy in February 2021 for Best Pop Solo Performance for Watermelon Sugar while also becoming Vogue magazine’s first solo male cover star thanks to his rising status as a style icon.

His third album Harry’s House, released last year, only built on the success, becoming the fastest-selling album of the year, soaring right to number one. 

Screen idol: In between his first and second solo albums, Harry decided to try his hands at becoming a movie star – landing a role in Christopher Nolan’s WW2 epic Dunkirk

Leading man: Last year Harry starred alongside Florence Pugh in the much-talked about movie Don’t Worry Darling 

The single As It Was was the longest-running number one single of 2022, after a whopping eight weeks without budging.

The fever translated to the road as Harry embarked on a mammoth tour, bringing his signature brand of glitter hedonism to cities across the globe.

Harry admitted he was shocked by the reaction to his live shows, telling Rolling Stone last year: ‘After One Direction, I didn’t expect to ever experience anything new. I kind of felt like, ‘All right, I’ve seen how crazy it can get.’ ‘

Love life: The star’s romances over the years have propelled his fame, with his most recentg relationship with Olivia Wilde ending recently (pictured on the set of their movie Don’t Worry Darling)

Harry’s House beat an impressive field of ten at Sunday’s Grammys to be named Album Of The Year including ABBA – Voyage, Adele – 30, Bad Bunny – Un Verano Sin Ti, Beyoncé – Renaissance, Brandi Carlile – In These Silent Days, Coldplay – Music of the Spheres, Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, Lizzo – Special, and Mary J. Blige – Good Morning Gorgeous (Deluxe).

Earlier in the night Harry beat out heavy competition, including Adele and Lizzo as he earned the first award of the night at the star-studded event – Best Pop Vocal Album.

Reflecting on his success last year, Harry mused that ‘everything in my life has felt like a bonus since X Factor. ‘Get on TV and sing. I never expected and never thought that would happen.’

Winner! It was Harry’s night on Sunday as he triumphed at the Grammy Awards, scooping two gongs to the delight of the star-studded audience 

Zayn Malik

Zayn Malik left One Direction on March 25 2015 and less than a year later he released his first solo album, Mind Of Mine and hit single Pillowtalk.

He followed that up with another hit track I Don’t Wanna Live Forever alongside Taylor Swift for the sequel to Fifty Shades of Gray.

Zayn released two more albums, Icarus Falls in 2018 and Nobody Is Listening in 2021, to less success and was dropped from his label, RCA, later that year.


First to go: Zayn Malik left One Direction on March 25 2015 and less than a year later he released his first solo album, Mind Of Mine and hit single Pillowtalk 

However, his personal life kept him in the headlines, after he began dating model Gigi Hadid in late 2015.

Despite briefly splitting in March 2018, they reconciled and welcomed a daughter Khai in September 2020. 

However, in October 2021 they split after it was alleged that Zayn had allegedly pushed Gigi’s mother Yolanda into a dresser and called her ‘a slut’.

He entered a no-contest plea to four charges of harassment and was sentenced by a Pennsylvania court to 360 days of probation and completion of anger management and domestic violence education programmes.  

Relationship: However, his personal life kept him in the headlines, after he began dating model Gigi Hadid in late 2015

Niall Horan

After the band broke up Niall Horan was the first to release solo music, after landing a solo record deal in 2016.

He released his album Flicker in 2017, which contained the hit singles This Town and Slow Hands. 

He went on to win the People’s Choice Award for Favourite Breakout Artist went on tour.


First out of the gate: After the band broke up Niall Horan was the first to release solo music, after landing a solo record deal in 2016

Niall returned with with the single Nice to Meet Ya, the first offering from his second album Heartbreak Weather.

Unlike his other bandmates, he’s managed to stay out of controversies and has been in a relationship with Amelia Whooley since 2020.

Before that he dated actress Hailee Steinfeld, but has been linked to Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato, Selena Gomez, Barbara Palvin, and Ellie Goulding. 

Niall also has become a director for golfing company called Modest! Golf and caddied for professional golfer Rory McIlroy for the Par 3 contest prior to the 2015 Masters Tournament.

Squeaky clean: Unlike his other bandmates, he’s managed to stay out of controversies and has been in a relationship with Amelia Whooley since 2020

Louis Tomlinson

Louis Tomlinson already began his solo endeavors while in the band, starting a record label in April 2015, backed by Sony. 

Louis then went on to release his hit single Just Hold On with DJ Steve Aoki in 2016 and followed it up with Back To You and Miss You in 2017.

He appeared as a judge and mentor on the US version of The X Factor in 2018, with his mentee Dalton Harris winning the show.


Music career: Louis then went on to release his hit single Just Hold On with DJ Steve Aoki in 2016 and followed it up with Back To You and Miss You in 2017 

Louis released his album Walls in 2020, and second album Faith in the Future in 2022, before going on tour the following year. 

In 2016 he became the first dad of One Direction when his ex Briana Jungwirth gave birth to their son Freddie.

He reportedly split from his long-term girlfriend Eleanor Calder last month after distance ‘put pressure’ on their romance.

Split: He reportedly split from his long-term girlfriend Eleanor Calder last month after distance ‘put pressure’ on their romance

Louis also faced personal tragedy, after his mother, Johannah Deakin, passed away in 2016 after a battle with leukaemia.

Then his sister Felicité Tomlinson, often known as Fizzy, also passed away at 18 in 2019 due to an accidental drug overdose.

Outside of music, Louise does a lot of charity work, playing charity football matches for UNICEF, War Child, the Celtic Foundation and the Rio Ferdinand Foundation.

Awful: Louis also faced personal tragedy, after his mother, Johannah Deakin, passed away in 2016 after a battle with leukaemia. Then his sister Felicité Tomlinson, often known as Fizzy, also passed away at 18 in 2019 due to an accidental drug overdose

Liam Payne

Liam Payne enjoyed a great first chapter of his solo career, but it soon veered off course.

His debut single Strip That Down did well, but his debut album LP1 underperformed when it arrived in 2019.

He went on to date singer Cheryl and in 2016 they welcomed a baby boy called Bear together.

However, they called it quits in July 2018 and co-parent their son together.


Started well: Liam Payne enjoyed a great first chapter of his solo career, but it soon veered off course

Liam went on to get engaged to model Maya Henry but they split in May 2022, after photos of him wrapped around American model Aliana Mawla emerged.

In June 2022, Liam came under heavy fire after he gave an interview about his former One Direction bandmates.

The singer, 28, appeared on the Impaulsive podcast with controversial YouTuber Logan Paul on Wednesday, where he made a number of comments that did not go down well with fans.

He called Zayn a ‘d***’, adding there were ‘many reasons why I dislike Zayn’ and alluded to singer’s altercation with Yoland Hadid.

Romance: He went on to date singer Cheryl and in 2016 they welcomed a baby boy called Bear together

He claimed that the group was formed around himself, and that he outsold his fellow bandmates with his debut single – a fact that was disputed by fans. 

Liam also said that he and Louis had hated each other when they were in One Direction and claimed to have been thrown into a wall by one of his bandmates.

In December 2022, he apologised for his comments, saying he had a ‘chip on my shoulder’ and ‘took it out on everyone else’.

He added that he ‘loves my boys’ appearing to refer to the One Direction members – Niall, Harry, Zayn and Louis.

Stirring up trouble: In June 2022, Liam came under heavy fire after he gave an interview about his former One Direction bandmates

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