We were afraid it would come to this.
We attempted to remain hopeful. We tried to keep our chin up. We prayed each and every night.
Alas, it was all for naught. Our worst fear has become a depressing reality:
One Direction is not just taking a break.
According to a new tabloid report, the beloved boy band is breaking up. For good.
Around the middle of 2015, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Harry Styles announced that they would go on hiatus following the release and promotion of their fifth album.
Many fans subsequently reacted in horror, believing the group would never be together again.
And, despite claims to the contrary by various members, Us Weekly now confirms the worst.
The foursome “will split,” writes the magazine, explaining that One Direction chose “not to renew their recording contract” after wrapping up their latest tour in October.
“The 1D thing just ran its course. They’ll remain friends, but they are exhausted and want solo careers,” the magazine claims.
Insiders supposedly close to the musicians say “Liam is really interested in songwriting and production,” while “Harry is launching a career in acting and singing.”
Tomlinson, meanwhile, is expecting his first child with stylist friend Briana Jungwirth. He’ll have his hands full for awhile, that’s for sure.
Way back in March, of course, Zayn Malik quit the group, leaving fans reeling.
He will release his own solo record some time this year.
Still, while one tabloid makes us very worried about the group’s future, the young men themselves have continues to give followers reasons to believe.
“We’re not breaking up,” Horan told Entertainment Tonight on November.
“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.”
But it’s exactly what One Direction has done (filled our hearts with great music and our loins with warm/fuzzy feelings) that makes us very sad to think about them never doing it again.
Please say this isn’t so, boys. Please.
