After five years, the face of the mega-popular pop band One Direction has changed as we know it.

The official press release, published March 25, reported, “After five incredible years Zayn Malik has decided to leave One Direction. Niall [Horan], Harry [Styles], Liam [Payne] and Louis [Tomlinson] will continue as a four-piece and look forward to the forthcoming concerts of their world tour and recording their fifth album, due to be released later this year.”

Malik responded in the press release, “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. I’d like to apologise to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world.”

Giving his only interview since the big news, Zayn revealed to The Sun, “I did try to do something that I wasn’t happy doing for a while, for the sake of other people’s happiness. I feel like I’ve let the fans down, but I can’t do this anymore. It’s not that I’ve turned my back on them or anything; it’s just that I just can’t do that anymore because it’s not the real me.”

Liam, like the other boys, responded via Twitter:

Celebs and fans alike have been posting their thoughts via Twitter about Zayn’s desires for happiness and a normal life.

What are your thoughts on Zayn’s decision to leave? Will you remain a 1D fan?