LONDON -- A lot has happened to One Direction this year. Some might say too much; others might say it's been the band's best year yet. But most will agree that it's been a roller coaster ride of heightened emotions, flawless suits and the best hairdos four grown men could ever wish for.
Through the good, the bad and the ugly, Harry, Liam, Louis and Niall have stuck together, not letting anything drag them down. From departed band members to spectacular stage falls, the boys that started as hopeful soloists on The X Factor five years ago have transformed into some of the most watched people in the world. And oh, did we watch.
It wouldn't be right to end the year without a recap of the band's biggest (and most devastating) year to date, so here's a comprehensive play-by-play of One Direction's 2015.
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Nickelback has a writing session with 1D
Brace yourself, people: Chad Kroeger, lead singer of dad-rockers extraordinaire Nickelback, confirms that he has had a writing session with the 1D boys.
A photo posted by Robin Diaz (@robindiaz) on Jan 29, 2015 at 1:35pm PST
Zayn leaves the tour, citing "stress"
Mar. 19, 2015: Zayn Malik leaves Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson on tour and flies back to the UK after being signed off with stress. Speculations begin as to why Malik has really left the tour, but fans are adamant that this is not the end for Zayn and 1D.
1D statement: Zayn has been signed off with stress and is flying back to the UK to recuperate. The band wish (cont) http://t.co/sqvOnQodYy— Simon Jones (@simonjonespr) March 19, 2015
Meanwhile, the remaining band members take it turns to cover Zayn's high notes (which in hindsight, was a terrible idea).
Zayn announces the end for him and 1D
All hell breaks loose as Zayn announces his permanent departure from the band. Teens worldwide weep; adult Directioners also weep.
SHES CRYING BECAUSE ZAYN LEFT OHMYGODSKJDD pic.twitter.com/XlqaMKRlHU— 3lya (@zapsnormani) March 25, 2015
Harry Styles cries on stage
Styles cries on stage during the band's first official show without Zayn. Reports state that he is actually crying as a result of being hit in the head with a rogue water bottle, but we'd say that this is still a strong contender for 2015's most emotional moment.
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Zayn's "first solo song" emerges
Can we hear you say "TOO SOON"? The track, which has since been deleted from Soundcloud, turns out to be an unused One Direction song recorded for the band's previous album, FOUR, but still manages to cause worldwide teen devastation.
Just a day prior to the release of Malik's so-called solo track, Tomlinson tweets producer Naughty Boy to air his thoughts about a shade throwing video that the producer had retweeted. Could this have lead to Naughty Boy's decision to leak the track?
Wow @NaughtyBoyMusic you're so inconsiderate pal , seriously how fucking old are you ? Grow up ! #masterofallwisdom— Louis Tomlinson (@Louis_Tomlinson) March 30, 2015
Stephen Hawking says Zayn never left 1D
A glimmer of hope is given to teens as Stephen Hawking suggests that in a parallel universe, Zayn may still be in One Direction.
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Niall Horan caddies for Rory McIlroy and falls
What must have been a dream come true for golf-goof Niall turns into a You've Been Framed moment as he slips live on TV, making us all laugh out loud.
If your walking around augusta , don't step on the pine leaves, slippy as hell Hahahaha! #redfaced !— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) April 8, 2015
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The shade-throwing battle
Tommo and Big Payno pick sides in the biggest boy band feud the Internet has ever seen, opening the lid on a whole lotta history with Zayn Malik and Naughty Boy.
@Louis_Tomlinson remember when you had a life and stopped making bitchy comments about mine ?— zayn (@zaynmalik) May 6, 2015
Balls get busted with James Corden
1D stop by The Late Late Show for a quick game of dodgeball with James Corden, in which they learn that there is more than one type of ball that needs to participate in the dodging.
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Harry Styles fanfic green-lighted for big-screen
After, a One Direction fanfiction story penned by erotic writer Anna Todd, is picked up by Paramount after receiving over 1 billion reads on Wattpad. The novel follows college student Tessa and her blossoming relationship with the long-haired, tattooed Hardin (Harry for short, duh).
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One Direction announces its fourth fragrance
Along with an advert that sees Harry, Niall, Louis and Liam on the hunt for hard-to-reach perfume ingredients, 1D shares an accompanying behind-the-scenes video for the 'Between Us' packaging photoshoot that fuels speculation that One Direction and its insiders knew about Zayn's impending departure as much as a year before it actually took place.
Harry Styles falls spectacularly on stage
Haz takes a tumble at One Direction's San Diego show and people turn it into a meme. Nice.
#RememberOTRATourThe drop of Harry in San Diegopic.twitter.com/cxT9xIeAG1— Jackeline Horan (@IlianaJackeline) October 31, 2015
Zayn signs to Sony RCA to make #realmusic
Perhaps the biggest betrayal of 2015 is Zayn Malik's oh-so-public declaration of his new, more "real" career.
I guess I never explained why I left , it was for this moment to be given the opportunity to show you who i really am! #realmusic #RCA !!— zayn (@zaynmalik) July 29, 2015
We get it, Zayn; you found yourself.
#REALME— zayn (@zaynmalik) July 29, 2015
Louis Tomlinson baby-daddy rumours surface
According to reports from People, Tommo and close friend Briana Jungwirth are expecting a baby together; commence worldwide Directioner freakout.
louis tomlinson is going to be louis tomlindad i wonder if he's having a tomlinson or a tomlindaughter— bean (@mcnuggetharry) July 14, 2015
One Direction releases surprise single
1D's first single without Zayn Malik comes following no promotion and proves an overwhelming experience for all.
THE FANDOM RIGHT NOW #DragMeDown pic.twitter.com/ts9VDoN1C0— ˗ˏZoe in the a.mˎˊ (@ZouiriNialll) July 31, 2015
Louis Tomlinson confirms those baby rumours
"Buzzing" is the exact word Tomlinson uses to describe his feeling towards accidentally getting a friend pregnant.
One Direction shares "Drag Me Down" video
Featuring strong hair flips and intense camera stares.
ICYMI:
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NASA flirts with 1D on Twitter, makes everyone jealous
And then they just keep going.
Who doesn't love space?! Nobody, Nobody #DragMeDownMusicVideohttp://t.co/rifbLvQSfG pic.twitter.com/QuvhB98zc8— Johnson Space Center (@NASA_Johnson) August 21, 2015
One Direction announces hiatus
Just months after Malik's untimely departure, extremely hurtful and hate-filled rumours surface on the Internet suggesting that One Direction is done for the foreseeable future. These extremely hurtful and hate-filled rumours turn out to be true, but the band is quick to erase concerns, confirming that they will be taking a break but saying that this is not the end of One Direction. In a world first, Directioners take the news surprisingly well.
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Fifth album details announced
On the night of their headline slot at the Apple Music Festival, One Direction announces details of forthcoming album Made In The A.M. and share a new track, "Infinity."
The guys have an exciting announcement for you... https://t.co/J2IdOIJSYD— One Direction (@onedirection) September 22, 2015
Justin Bieber throws 1D some serious shade
The fellow teen pop sensation takes to Snapchat to share his thoughts on what it must be like to release an album on the same day as him and his other-worldly self.
Justin Bieber via Snapchat: pic.twitter.com/7ZtsUx7Cep— JustinBieberCrew.com (@JBCrewdotcom) September 29, 2015
To which Louis Tomlinson responds:
All in good jest, boys.
The "Perfect" Saga
It's mid-October and One Direction has just released its second single from forthcoming album Made In The A.M. Titled "Perfect", it's a synth-pop banger and sees Harry, Niall, Louis and Liam putting out their best music yet.
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"Perfect" picks up additional attention for sounding both lyrically and sonically like Taylor Swift's "Style," which leads to the below mash-up by Directioner Emily Sachs and speculation that Harry Styles has Taylor Swifted Taylor Swift.
Perfect x Style // One Direction x Taylor Swift Mashup from Chanandler Bong on Vimeo.
.... one direction just taylor swifted Taylor Swift— alyson (@asapsev) October 16, 2015
Fuel is added to the fire as 1D releases its video for "Perfect," featuring even more Taylor Swift shade. Polaroids, dreamy cloud projections and eyes. EYES.
w t f why does one direction's perfect is like a respond video for taylor's songs w t f is this sorcery— 줄리아 (@julssul) October 21, 2015
One Direction cancels show in Belfast
Liam Payne falls ill and 1D is forced to cancel its performance in Belfast. The show is rescheduled for later that week, but nothing can quell the floods of tears in The SSE Arena. However, Directioners don't let anything stop them wishing Payne well as they begin the hashtag #GetWellSoonLiam.
the arena after the announcement, my heart just broke #OTRABelfast pic.twitter.com/LdrAA7fpNy— thank you luke (@zjmskaterkid) October 20, 2015
The four perform their last full concert
Directioners take the opportunity to share just how proud they are of One Direction with a selection of incredibly emotional videos. Tissues, please.
This still makes me cry. 1DFamily #ProudofOneDirection pic.twitter.com/IRuJ2zUy6w— One Direction (@OneDrecti0nFans) November 2, 2015
1D heads to Live Lounge for first time
After five years, 1D finally takes to the BBC One Live Lounge, treating us all to not one, not two, but SIX SONGS, including a throwback to their days on The X Factor with a performance of Natalie Imbruglia's "Torn" and a cover of Rihanna, Kanye West and Paul McCartney's "FourFiveSeconds."
Made In The A.M. is released
And thus begins the Justin Bieber x One Direction chart battle, which sees Bieber taking home the gold in Australia and the U.S. while 1D earn no. 1 status in the U.K.
"You could cut off my legs right now and I wouldn't feel anything." - @liz_pierson re: #MadeInTheAM— Tricia Gilbride (@tricia_gilbride) November 13, 2015
Zayn Malik gives first big interview
Malik and his people choose The Fader for his first interview as a solo artist, ensuring that all kinds of #cool #realmusic vibes are exuded.
1D attend The AMAs and do quite well
The AMAs are a host of great joy for both One Direction and their fans, as Harry rolls out a spectacular suit that many mistake for an Ikea bedspread and the band take home awards for Artist of the Year and Best Rock/Pop Group.
Either I have @gucci sheets or @Harry_Styles has an @IKEA suit... pic.twitter.com/hyPuCISto4— Emily Doer (@emilyrosedoer) November 24, 2015
Harry Styles gets tattooed on TV
Also, the Internet establishes that Harry Styles has a pain kink, and Louis Tomlinson pretends to be a cat. All in a day's work.
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The boys perform for a final time before the break
More emotional than Zayn's departure and the hiatus announcement combined is the final performance that 1D gives at The X Factor 2015's live final. "Infinity" and "History" (which has since replaced the former as 1D's next single from MITAM) both get an outing, and a whole bunch of celebs let them know just how great they are. There's also a montage of One Direction's best moments, which is pretty emotional too.
Additionally, Harry Styles wears another fantastic suit and #ThisIsNotTheEndOfOneDirection trends worldwide.
Always in my heart @onedirection. Yours sincerely, Directioners #ThisIsNotTheEndOfOneDirection pic.twitter.com/vpmfYygN3H— olivão,...卌 (@IvySomerIrwin) December 14, 2015