Will Zayn Malik Be Replaced? A Look At One Direction’s Many ‘Sixth Members’
Zayn Malik obviously knew that he was ready to leave One Direction behind, but what about his band mates? Do they have a plan in place to deal with the surprise departure of a member?
One Direction is used to performing with five members, so fans are likely wondering whether the group will try to replace Zayn Malik or carry on as a foursome. TMZ recently tried to answer this question, and what the website discovered will relieve the many fans who think Zayn is irreplaceable. Sources close to the band revealed that there are currently no plans to add a new member to the group, and Zayn is staying in touch with Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan. Because the guys still get along, perhaps the band will reunite someday.
In the meantime, if the remaining One Direction members decide that they don’t have enough star power as a foursome, they could always add one of their many “sixth members” to the mix. Numerous stars have tried to claim this position over the years, but is there really anyone worthy of joining the band and replacing Zayn Malik?
A few of the wannabe sixth members aren’t even singers. According to Capital FM, Olympic diver Tom Daley has joked that he’s the sixth member of One Direction. However, while he might share Zayn Malik’s good looks, Tom probably isn’t as good at hitting high notes as he is at flipping off of the high dive. According to the Mirror, NFL quarterback Drew Brees also attempted to join 1D in a 2012 Pepsi commercial. As you can see, Niall Horan and Harry Styles were happy to give him a spot in the band in exchange for one can of soda.
A few movie men have also tried to lay claim to a spot in One Direction. According to MTV News, Knocked Up star Paul Rudd made an astonishing claim in a 2013 Saturday Night Live promo — the actor revealed that he was once kicked out of One Direction.
Rudd has dark hair and chiseled cheekbones like Zayn, so perhaps the band will invite him back. Rudd’s frequent collaborator, Knocked Up director Judd Apatow, also tried to join the group in 2013.
What I am doing right now. Joining a band. pic.twitter.com/2hX8TEituj
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) April 17, 2013
A few actual musicians have also tried to lay claim to One Direction’s mythical sixth spot. According to Sugarscape, former boy band star Robbie Williams feels like Zayn Malik, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson are his “showbiz brothers.” The “Take That” singer actually performed with One Direction on The X Factor, and he told the Daily Mail that he’s an official member of the 1D “bad tattoo club.”
Robbie might be too old to relive his boy band days, and he probably wouldn’t appeal to One Direction’s age demographic. However, there is another singer fans might actually love to see in Zayn’s spot. According to MTV UK, Niall Horan thinks that Ed Sheeran would make a great addition to the band.
“We need a ginger guy in the group,” Niall told the Daily Star.
Unfortunately, Ed is a huge star in his own right, so he might not want to share the spotlight with four other guys. Perhaps Niall Horan should offer that sixth spot to “British Justin Bieber” Conor Maynard instead. As the Inquisitr previously reported, Maynard and Horan are such good pals that they’ve actually sexted one another. Conor also knows quite a bit about the inner workings of One Direction — he actually predicted that Zayn would be the first member to leave the group.
Do you think One Direction should try to replace Zayn Malik or would doing so be a big mistake?
[Image credit: Kevin Winter/Getty]
