History

• Formation (2010): Members auditioned individually for The X Factor but were grouped together during the "bootcamp" stage to form a five-piece band. They did not win the show, but signed with Simon Cowell's record label, Syco Records, afterward.
• Global Success (2011-2014): Their first album, Up All Night, was released in 2011 and was followed by Take Me Home (2012) and Midnight Memories (2013). The band embarked on multiple world tours and sold millions of records, becoming global teen idols.
• Malik's Departure (2015): Zayn Malik left the band in March 2015, stating he wanted to be a "normal 22-year-old" and have some private time. The remaining four members released their fifth and final album, Made in the A.M., in 2015.
• Hiatus (2016): The band went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016 to focus on individual solo projects.