Zayn Malik quits One Direction, wants normal life

LONDON | Singer Zayn Malik said on Wednesday he was quitting the best-selling pop band One Direction because he wanted to live a normal life and apologized to fans of the hugely popular British-Irish group for doing so.

The decision by Malik to quit came after he dropped out of an Asian tour due to what he said was stress when pictures of the singer, who is engaged to Perrie Edwards of Little Mix, were published showing him partying with another woman in Thailand.

“I’d like to apologize 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,” Malik said in a statement on One Direction’s Facebook page.

The announcement said Malik’s decision had come after five years with the band, which came to prominence for its performance on the popular televised singing competition “The X Factor” in 2010.

One Direction’s biggest hits include “Best Song Ever”, “Kiss You”, “What Makes You Beautiful” and “Story of My Life”.

The remaining band members, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, will continue on their current world tour as a foursome and will release their fifth album later this year, the statement said.

“We’re really sad to see Zayn go, but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future. The past five years have been beyond amazing, we’ve gone through so much together, so we will always be friends,” the band members said.

Simon Cowell, the British music and television impresario who launched the band, said:

“I would like to say thank you to Zayn for everything he has done for One Direction. Since I first met Zayn in 2010, I have grown very, very fond — and immensely proud — of him.

“I have seen him grow in confidence and I am truly sorry to see him leave. As for One Direction, fans can rest assured that Niall, Liam, Harry and Louis are hugely excited about the future of the band.”

The announcement instantly made Malik’s name one of the top trends on Twitter and produced anguished reactions from fans.

“I KEEP HOPING THAT @zaynmalik LEAVING IS SOME EARLY APRIL FOOLS JOKE BY @onedirection,” tweeted one American fan.

source: interaksyon.com

One Direction sells out VIP tickets as organizers push for second show

Even as hundreds of fans camped out at the MOA Arena one day before tickets went on sale for the much anticipated One Direction concert scheduled for March 21 next year, not all of those who preferred to get the limited VIP/Hot Ticket Package priced at P17,950 were able to score one.

The coveted VIP tickets, which include a 1D wristwatch with pouch, a laminate card, and a lanyard, were sold out in less than three hours after it officially went on sale. By noontime, the Diamond tickets priced at P14,800 were also sold out while limited slots remained for the rest of the lower-priced tickets.

Those who were able to get tickets were tearfully overjoyed while those who were not able to buy were shedding tears of dismay.

“Ang alam namin 1,800 ang VIP tickets na available, paano mauubos agad-agad yun?” a visibly upset teenager named Reyna told InterAksyon. “Pinilahan po namin ng napakatagal yung VIP tapos yung mga late na pumila, yung mga ngayon ngayon lang dumating, sila pa ang nakakuha ng tickets.”

Others who were still waiting in line for their turn suspected that sponsors were able to hoard tickets while certain celebrities and other VIPs were also allowed to buy tickets without falling in line.

“That’s not true. We did not give preferential treatment to anyone,” said Celina Pe de Guia, wife and business partner of Ovation’s head, Renen de Guia. “Even my friends who were bugging me for tickets were asked to line up just like everybody else.”

The good news, according to de Guia, is that organizers have already requested One Direction’s management in the UK for a second concert to be scheduled the following day, March 22, also at the MOA Arena and with the same ticket prices.

“Yes, there is a possibility for a second show so we asked fans to sign up and reserve in the event that the second show happens,” de Guia revealed. “We will announce if this is confirmed in the weeks to come.”

Asked why Ovation and MMI Live decided to sell tickets almost a year before the actual event, de Guia said they were just following the instructions of One Direction’s management in the UK.

“They want it announced early so we announced it early. This was also how it’s done even in other countries so we just followed,” she pointed out.

Even the fans who already got their tickets understand the risks of investing in this show and realize that a lot of things could still happen between now and March of next year—the boy band’s popularity may dim, a member may leave, they could ultimately disband or the concert could be cancelled for whatever reason.

Such circumstances may be beyond their control. But there is at least one fortuitous event they can prepare for — the possibility of losing their precious tickets. As a matter of fact, many of those interviewed have contingency measures in mind just in case.

“I’ll put my ticket in a vault,” said one fan named Debbie who bought a VIP ticket.

“I’ll always take it with me wherever I go,” said another who identified herself as Angeline.

“To make sure I don’t ever lose my ticket, I’ll open a safe deposit box account in a bank and put it there,” said a girl named Joan.

source: interaksyon.com