Louis Tomlinson has opened up about the emotional fallout from One Direction's 2015 hiatus, describing the meeting that led to the split as 'cold' and 'empty'. In a candid interview on 'The Diary Of A CEO' podcast, the singer recalled the tense atmosphere when a bandmate pushed for independence, leaving him feeling 'naive' for seeking clarity on the hiatus duration.
Tomlinson admitted he was 'crushed' and 'fuming' when Zayn Malik left the group without telling him first, though he now understands Malik may have feared Tomlinson would try to stop him. He also reflected on Liam Payne's death in 2024, saying he learned the news from Niall Horan and that Payne would have been the biggest advocate for a reunion.
On the possibility of One Direction reuniting, Tomlinson said 'never say never' but expressed doubt, especially after Payne's passing. 'I can't ever imagine... I'm not sure it would be right to him,' he said, noting that Payne 'campaigned more' for the band's return than anyone else.
Tomlinson will appear alongside Malik in a new Netflix travel series exploring reconnection, life, and loss.
