It may be a decade now since the popular British boy band One Direction announced their hiatus, but 2026 is looking more promising and exciting than ever for all faithful Directioners – yes, we’re not extinct just yet.

One Direction was formed in 2010, after a series of, albeit questionable, auditions at the United Kingdom edition of the talent-seeking show The X Factor. Seemingly overnight, the boy band became a worldwide sensation, with the band’s career exploding over the following years, breaking records left and right.

The British boy band was a culturally defining phenomenon of the 2010s, and I’ll even dare to say that they were like the Beatles of this century, except arguably cuter. I don’t want to discredit the Beatles in any way, because they were huge in their time, but I do hold a special place for One Direction in my heart. 

One Direction was my childhood – I mean, they literally taught me English. I may not have known how to ask where the bathroom was when I entered kindergarten, but I sure knew all the lyrics to “What Makes You Beautiful.” This band was so much more than a group of artists to many fans, so the group’s decision to enter a hiatus was followed by an immense amount of fangirl heartbreak. 

The band’s decision to enter an 18-month hiatus in January 2016 came after band member Zayn Malik’s premature decision to leave the group in 2015, kickstarting his journey as a solo artist. Fans of the beloved boy band were crushed. However, following the group’s hiatus, the individual members of One Direction would each pursue solo careers, finding independent success in their break from the boy band. 

A decade later, each band member has continued to build a legacy and write their own story, sharing the same nostalgic root. Every fan felt the grief of last year’s passing of band member Liam Payne, remembering the spectacle and success that accompanied the star in his life. The member’s unexpected death overwhelmed Directioners all around the world with sadness and confusion, while momentarily bringing unity amongst the former band members in commemoration of their late bandmate.

In October of 2025, it was announced that a three-part Netflix docuseries would be filmed following former bandmates Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik as they road-tripped through America. While the specified date has not been released on this docuseries, fans are hopeful of amends in the members’ relationship, as recent admin filings for One Direction’s company, PPM Music Limited showed Malik as an active director in the band.

Zayn Malik, who had previously strayed from the public eye following his early leave from One Direction and who, despite solo music releases, took a personal break from touring for 10 years, has recently made it back to the public eye. Malik returned to the stage for the first time as a solo artist in 2024 and 2025, and has announced tour dates in a residency in Las Vegas, now even teasing the possibility of a world tour.

Whether they are together or apart, fans are loud in their support for the former bandmates. With Zayn Malik announcing tour dates, Louis Tomlinson’s release of his third studio album “How Did I Get Here?” on Jan. 23, Harry Styles upcoming album release of “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.” on March 6 and the 5-year celebration of Niall Horan’s hit studio album “Heartbreak Weather,” it’s safe to say that every former One Direction member has stayed busy, while every loyal Directioner has stayed equally entertained.

Categories: Arts & Entertainment