Four different directions? Hit Brit band One Direction are taking an extended hiatus to focus on solo projects, a source confirms to Us Weekly.
The chart-topping boy band which now consists of Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, after fifth member Zayn Malik quit in March, are taking some time out from their group, to focus on themselves.
"They’ll have a proper rest next summer," a source confirms to Us. But while the British hunks are planning some down time, reportedly due to start in March, and will not be touring after the release of their fifth album, our source insists this is not the end of One Direction, and the boys will be getting back together in the future.
“That doesn't mean they're splitting up at all,” our source insists. “Even when Zayn was in the band they had been speaking about having time to focus on personal projects. They're one of the hardest working groups around and totally deserve some time to themselves," the source continues.
British newspaper The Sun, who first broke news of the hiatus, reports that Styles, 21, will be pursuing solo recording career, although he's also interested in Hollywood roles. Horan, 21, is also said to be going for solo stardom while Payne, 21, is more interested in songwriting and DJing. Tomlinson, 23, who is soon to become a dad with friend Briana Jungwirth, plans to get involved with a new reality TV series, Be in a Band, which is aiming to find the next successful girl group, the outlet reports.
News of a temporary break isn't entirely unexpected, as members of the band have expressed desires to take time out and try out other musical endeavors recently.
Speaking during an interview with Free Radio earlier this month, Payne admitted, "You know, I think everyone needs a little bit of a break now, and a sit down and a stop, to kind of take in all the great things that've happened," adding he was looking forward to writing songs for other artists and spending more time at home in the future.
But while fans freaked out via social media as news of the short-term break hit the headlines, our source insists that this is certainly not the end of the line for 1D.
"There WILL be another album after this one. I promise," the source says.
