His first album, 'Mind of Mine,' was released one year to the day that he left 1D and was certified platinum in America. 1 in the U.K., Australia and the U.S., making Zayn the first British artist to start at the top in the States with a debut single. His first solo single, 'Pillowtalk,' was released in early 2016 and was followed with a steamy music video featuring girlfriend Gigi Hadid. But in July that same year, Zayn announced he'd signed a solo deal with RCA Records. He denied any any rumors of a rift with the group, citing his desire 'to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight' as the reason he walked away. Zayn made headlines when he decided to leave One Direction in March 2015 in the midst of the group's 'On The Road Again' world tour. 12, 2021, is taking a look at how the boys have changed… In honor of one of the biggest heartthrobs - Zayn Malik - turning 28 on Jan. The group announced their hiatus in 2016 and have since each experienced varying degrees of success as solo artists. Then teens themselves, the boybanders were inescapable at the height of their popularity, with five albums, a big-screen documentary and every endorsement and piece of merchandise known to man.

Teens around the globe went nuts for the five guys, and everyone had a favorite (Liam stan here!), and the mere sight of them sent millions into hysterics.

The group quickly catapulted themselves from reality show rejects - they came in third on the talent competition show - to one of the biggest music crazes since The Beatles, selling more than 70 million records worldwide. Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson were put together on Britain's 'The X Factor' in the summer of 2010. Get those midnight memories ready! It's been more than a decade since one of the biggest boy bands in music history - One Direction - was created.

One direction history of band