If you want to have an idea about how the Big larrie tinhatters would sound in the future:
Zayn’s solo deal was actually a part of his punishment for helping lead the Great One Direction Insurrection™ alongside Louis, imo. I don’t think he ever would have chosen to go solo that way. But I do think if he had to do it over again, he would.
Zayn and Louis both fell on their swords in part for the men they love. Look at what Louis is going through compared to Harry. And it’s similar with Zayn and Liam. Sure Liam is saddled with Cheryl. But since March 25, 2015 Zayn has had a tougher road. They snatched him away from his boys. He got gross press that distorted his image. He was forced into a solo project designed to line 1DHQ’s pockets with a quick buck. Then they actively sabotaged his career once their profits were assured. They still downplay his Pakistani Muslim heritage. They portray him as unstable. Even though he’s been successful, he’s paid a price for it.
So really, it’s apples and oranges. Liam’s solo announcement was probably negotiated so that at least that much could happen as he envisioned it. And Zayn’s mega stunt probably played a part in allowing that to happen. Zayn’s whole solo career to date is a 1DHQ mandate, with all the fuckery that comes with it. But it gets greater later. In time he’ll be free to pursue solo work the way he wants to, without the interference.
In the meantime, appreciate that Ziam are relationship goals and no bearded ho stroll could ever compare to the way they’ve supported each other over the past 16 months, against all odds.
(the highlights are mine)
And if you want to see their level of self-awareness (or the lack of it):
As far as 1D thingies, Datalounge has been invaded by gay fetishizing “prancing ponies”, which DL regulars complain about all the time. Prancing ponies is DL lingo for obsessives who make shit up. The nickname is in honor of a group of Lord of the Rings fans who set up camp on DL and flooded it with some very odd theories that got more out there over time.
Of course they are not like those bad tinhatters that only care about fetishizing the boys, they want to save the boys from the evil Simon/1DHQ.