One Direction Is Splitting, Hiatus to Become a Permanent Break

Separate directions: Five months after announcing they would begin an extended hiatus in March, One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Harry Styles will split, a source close to the British boy band reveals in the new issue of Us Weekly.

This comes after Horan, 22, denied rumors of a split in November. “We’re not breaking up,” he told Entertainment Tonight. “We’re literally taking time out to see our friends and see our family, and reflect on what we’ve done over the last few years.” 

The foursome — Zayn Malik exited the group in March 2015 — decided “not to renew their recording contract” after wrapping their tour in October, says the close source. “The 1D thing just ran its course. They’ll remain friends, but they are exhausted and want solo careers.”

Not necessarily in front of a mic, though. “Liam is really interested in songwriting and production,” says a second insider. And Styles, 21, is looking toward the big screen. Adds the first source, “Harry is launching a career in acting and singing.”

As for Tomlinson, 24, he’s going to be busy as a first-time dad. As Us Weekly confirmed in July, the pop star is expecting a baby with stylist friend Briana Jungwirth.

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The boy band, who got their start on the U.K.’s The X Factor in 2010, will still release a video for another song on their Made in the A.M. album. 

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