Going their own way. For some musical artists, they needed to leave their former bands to explore opportunities as a solo act.
Zayn Malik did just that in 2015. He left his longtime One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Liam Payne to embark upon a solo music career, dropping his debut record the following year. The singer has had success through songs including “Pillowtalk” and “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever,” a song that he performed alongside Taylor Swift for the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack.
While speaking with British Vogue in 2018, he explained the reasoning behind his decision to leave the band. “We went from theaters to arenas to stadiums — there was never any sort of bridge between. Just boom, boom, boom,” he told the magazine at the time. “I guess that kind of progression to any mind — but especially when you’re 17, 18 — it kind of affects you a little bit.”
Malik added, “People take it different ways — especially when there are five different personalities. The relationships had broken apart.”
Jesy Nelson parted ways with her former band, Little Mix, in December 2020. Just before officially bidding adieu, her rep confirmed to Us Weekly that the U.K. native was taking an extended hiatus due to health reasons.
“The truth is recently being in the band has really taken a toll on my mental health. I find the constant pressure of being in a girl group and living up to the expectations very hard,” she wrote via Instagram of her exit. “There comes a time in life when we need to reinvest in taking care of ourselves rather than focusing on making other people happy, and I feel like now is the time to begin that process. So after much consideration and with a heavy heart, I’m announcing I’m leaving Little Mix.”
The “Wings” singer noted that she wanted to “spend time with the people I love” and “doing things that make me happy,” adding, “I’m ready to embark on a new chapter in my life — I’m not sure what it’s going to look like right now, but I hope you’ll still be there to support me.”
Additionally, Justin Timberlake said goodbye to his mega-popular group, ‘NSync, in 2002. From there, he accumulated an equally successful solo career and even managed to land major acting roles.
The “Can’t Stop the Feeling” crooner opened up to The Hollywood Reporter in 2017 about what led to his departure. “We were on a stadium tour, and I just felt like the whole thing was too big,” he explained. “It started as a fun snowball fight that was becoming an avalanche. And, also, I was growing out of it. I felt like I cared more about the music than some of the other people in the group. And I felt like I had other music I wanted to make and that I needed to follow my heart.”
Scroll down to see the many stars who have left their groups over the years.
Halliwell, a.k.a. Ginger Spice, abruptly left the group in May 1998 during the midst of their Spiceworld tour. She confirmed that differences among the ladies and depression led to her exit. Despite parting ways, she has since reunited with the band across multiple tours.
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The rapper, born O’Shea Jackson, left N.W.A. in 1989 after facing conflict over royalties. He later launched a successful solo career with AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted in 1990. His departure was depicted in 2015’s Straight Outta Compton, a film where his son O’Shea Jackson Jr. portrayed him.
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After announcing her hiatus from Little Mix in November 2020, the X Factor winner confirmed her official exit the following month. In an extensive Instagram statement, she said that “being in the band has really taken a toll on my mental health.”
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When The Fugees parted ways in 1997 to focus on solo careers, Hill amassed great success through her debut album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, the following year. She has yet to release a follow-up record.
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Cabello made headlines after announcing her departure from Fifth Harmony in 2016, leading the band to become a quartet for one last album before taking a hiatus. The former X Factor contestant released her self-titled debut album in 2018. The record garnered hits such as “Havanna” and two Grammy nominations.
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Malik shocked fans with his departure from One Direction in 2015, choosing to become a solo act. He released his debut record, Mind of Mine, the following year.
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Brown didn’t leave the popular group on his own terms. In December 1985, his now-ex bandmates voted him out over his behavior. As a solo artist, he garnered hits through “My Prerogative” and “Every Little Step.”
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The “In the Air Tonight” artist left Genesis in March 1996 after splitting his time between the band and his solo endeavors for more than a decade.
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Timberlake left the popular boy band in 2002 to embark upon his solo career. He had major success after dropping his debut album, Justified, that same year and became a 10-time Grammy winner. The “Sexyback” singer staged an ‘NSync reunion during his 2013 MTV VMAs performance.
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Fergie was a big part of The Black Eyed Peas before pursuing a solo career in 2006. She returned to the group in 2009, but the group took an indefinite hiatus in 2011. She did not return to the band when they reunited in 2018. Will.i.am told Billboard in 2020 that Fergie is “focusing on being a mom” to her son with estranged husband Josh Duhamel. “That’s a hard job, and that’s what she really wants to do and we’re here for her, and she knows how to contact us for a retreat or a breakaway,” he said.
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Paramore members Hayley Williams, Jeremy Davis and Taylor York announced the shocking exit of brothers Josh and Zac Farro in a since-deleted post on the band’s official website in December 2010. After Davis left in 2015, Zac returned to the band in 2016. Williams, for her part, eventually went on to unveil her debut solo album, Petals for Armor, in May 2020. That same month, she teased a sixth Paramore record.
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The English musician decided to leave The Police while performing at a concert in August 1983. He then put out his debut solo album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles, in 1985. Despite the band members all working on solo projects, they reunited in 2007 for a reunion tour.
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The late music legend was a standout talent while a part of The Jackson 5 with his brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine and Marlon Jackson. After releasing his debut album, Got to Be There, in 1972, the rest was history. He has since garnered massive hits through “Thriller,” “Bad” and “Billie Jean.”
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Richie left The Commodores in 1982 to pursue a solo music career. Since then, he has produced hits such as “Hello” and “All Night Long.” He is also a judge on ABC’s American Idol reboot.
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After leaving The Supremes in 1970, Ross found great success as a solo artist with songs including “Ain't No Mountain High Enough” and “I’m Coming Out.”
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The English crooner announced his departure from the iconic band in a press release in April 1970. From there, McCartney went on to have a successful solo career that included songs such as “Live and Let Die” and “Silly Love Songs.”
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