Fans were shaken to the core when Zayn Malik announced his departure from One Direction, and now some fans are trying to turn their tears into action.
A GoFundMe page calling for fans to "Buy One Direction" from their current management company has raised over $1,600 since it was launched Wednesday, mostly in increments of $5 to $10. The page, started by a 16-year-old from New York, has a goal of $87.8 million.
In a nod to the band's teen fan base, the page leads with the disclaimer: "Please make sure you have your parent/guardians permission to donate!!"
What's Ahead for One Direction After Zayn Malik SplitFans are also rallying support on social media with the hashtag #LETSBUYONEDIRECTION.
The man at the center of the firestorm, Malik, told the U.K.'s The Sun newspaper he has no regrets.
"I feel like I'm doing what's right and right by myself and right by the boys," Malik said in his first post-split interview. "So I feel good."
The band's remaining four members of the enormously popular British band took to social media Thursday to assure fans that the entity popularly known as 1D will go on.
Liam Payne addressed fans directly on Twitter, saying in part: “For the past five years now I've been part of something so special I don't think any of us really understand, something that can mean the world to people and put a smile on the face of our fans even in the darkest times. To a lot of people it's just a bunch of silly kids in a band but to the people involved it means so much more.”
He went on to write that the band and Malik would always remain “the closest friends.”
“I guess what I'm really trying to say is it's far from over,” he wrote. “When we very 1st became successful we all agreed that one direction had become much bigger than each individual member that's why I feel like right now it's ok to be sad and upset but I do ask everyone who is a fan of us to please keep ur faith in us I'm sure there's a lot more to come all love. Liam”
Malik shocked fans when he announced Wednesday that he was leaving One Direction after five years.
"I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight,” his statement said.
As of Thursday night, that tweet had been retweeted more than 295,000 times.
Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Niall Horan also tweeted their thoughts on Thursday.
Horan wrote: “Been a mad few days and your support has been incredible as per usual! This in turn Spurs us on to make the best music we possibly can.”
Tomlinson wrote:
“Been a crazy couple of days but know that we are going to work harder than ever to deliver the best album we've ever made for you guys!”
Styles’s tweet was succinct: “All the love as always. H”