Hypnotized tweens may soon find themselves directionless when One Direction’s powerful spell lifts: the band is reportedly going on hiatus. The Zaynless fab four (Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan) will allegedly be parting ways, at least temporarily, in order to focus on solo work; in the band’s five-year history, this is the first such occurrence. So, worry.
The news was originally reported in The Sun and then quickly spread — the band’s PR team has responded to questioning with “no comment,” but a source confirmed the split to People. The break will happen — if indeed they go through with it — just after the release of their fifth studio album (which will not be supported by a tour) in March. As far as speculation goes, Harry Styles is rumored to be in the midst of being courted by Hollywood, while Louis Tomlinson may be focusing on becoming an X-Factor host. Already, The Guardian has posted a roundup of extreme tweeted reactions to the news.
For many, this tweet probably sums it up: