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.”
Despite fan hopes of a 1D reunion, the group did not reunite. Tragically, the remaining four members were next seen all together at Payne’s funeral in November 2024. (Payne died at age 31 one month prior after falling from a third-story hotel balcony in Argentina.)
Scroll down to see the many stars who have left their groups over the years.
The drummer for the group behind "Pumped Up Kicks" announced his departure in October 2021. "I’ve struggled with finding the words to begin this announcement so I guess I’ll just rip off the band-aid and say that I’ve decided to leave the band I helped start 11 years ago," he wrote via Instagram, adding that the coronavirus pandemic gave him a lot of time to think about what's important to him. "Among those things, I became a father to a now 2 year old daughter who has really changed the way I feel about living my life on tour. I find myself drawn to things closer to home. I’ve seen the world (a couple of times) and I really checked everything off my career bucket list."
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.
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.
After announcing her hiatus from Little Mix in November 2020, the X Factor winner confirmed her official exit the following month. In an since-deleted Instagram statement, she said that “being in the band has really taken a toll on my mental health.”
She continued: “I find the constant pressure of being in a girl group and living up to the expectations very hard. 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.”
Nelson concluded her message by stating she was “ready to embark on a new chapter in my life,” adding, “I’m not sure what it’s going to look like right now, but I hope you’ll still be there to support me.” She went on to release her debut solo single, “Boyz (featuring Nicki Minaj), the following year.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
Shortly after reuniting at the 2023 VMAs, the group released their first song in 20 years, “Better Place,” as a part of the Trolls Band Together movie soundtrack.
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.
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, This Is Why, released in Frbeuary 2023.
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.
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.”
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.
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.”
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.”
"It was the best thing that I could have done, to love these people by sharing truth," says Duggar Vuolo, whose new book 'People Pleaser' debuts on Jan. 14
The couple, who wed on June 14, 1986 and share three children, would have celebrated their 39th wedding anniversary in 2025, but Cohen died on Christmas Eve at 76 after living with multiple sclerosis for more than 50 years
Ben Affleck is no stranger to a high-profile romance — but not all of them have ended happily ever after.
Over the years, the Justice League actor has proven that he can still be on good terms with an ex despite breaking up. In a February 2020 New York Times profile, he showed his support for ex-fiancée Jennifer Lopez after her 2020 Academy Awards snub for her work in Hustlers.
“She should have been nominated. She’s the real thing. I keep in touch periodically with her and have a lot of respect for her,” he told the publication at the time. “How awesome is it that she had her biggest hit movie at 50? That’s f–king baller.”
In May 2021, Us Weekly confirmed the pair were back together after splitting more than a decade earlier. In April 2022, Lopez confirmed that the couple were officially engaged for the second time. Three months later, the pair tied the knot in Las Vegas. Us confirmed in August 2024 that Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck after two years of marriage. They finalized their divorce in January the following year.
Scroll down to see Affleck’s greatest loves and flings throughout the years.
Rothman was Affleck’s high school sweetheart. After meeting as teens at summer camp, the duo dated on-and-off for over seven years until ending their romance in 1997.
Affleck met Paltrow at a dinner hosted by Harvey Weinstein back in 1997 and they began dating later that year. From there, the A-listers costarred in 1998’s Shakespeare In Love but called it quits in 1999. They rekindled their relationship while filming Bounce, but called off their romance a second time in late 2000.
Affleck met Lopez on the set of their film Gigli. Following the finalization of Lopez’s divorce from Cris Judd in June 2002, she and Affleck got engaged that November. The Gone Girl actor and “On the Floor” singer, who earned the power couple name of “Bennifer” during their romance, announced the end to their engagement in January 2004.
Nearly two decades later, the pair reunited following Lopez's split from Alex Rodriguez. They spent a weekend together in Montana in May 2021, and a source told Us that they have “always loved each other." After the duo were spotted kissing at a gym during a romantic getaway to Miami, a source confirmed to Us that they were back together.
"Ben and Jen feel so close to each other very quickly," the insider shared. "The old flame is absolutely rekindled. They picked up where they left off in terms of affection for each other." In April 2022, Lopez officially confirmed that the couple were engaged again for the second time. Us confirmed the pair wed in July 2022.
In August 2024, Us confirmed Lopez filed for divorce from Affleck. The pair finalized their divorce in January 2025.
Affleck costarred with Garner in 2001’s Pearl Harbor and 2003’s Daredevil, but their romance wasn’t confirmed until October 2004. The Way Back actor popped the question in April 2005, and they tied the knot in Turks & Caicos in June 2005. The duo welcomed Violet in December 2005, Seraphina in January 2009 and Samuel in February 2012.
After their 10th wedding anniversary, the Live By Night actor and Alias alum announced their separation in June 2015. Their divorce was finalized in October 2018.
In February 2020, the Oscar winner said the “biggest regret” of his life was his divorce from Garner. “Shame is really toxic. There is no positive byproduct of shame,” he told The New York Times. “It’s just stewing in a toxic, hideous feeling of low self-worth and self-loathing.”
Though Affleck kept his romance with the Saturday Night Live producer under wraps until July 2017, multiple sources confirmed to Us that the pair had started hooking up in 2014 during his marriage to Garner. “They were having a full-blown affair,” a source close to Affleck and Garner alleged to Us. “They were sleeping together, sending each other cute texts and meeting up whenever they could.”
Things appeared to be getting serious between Affleck and Shookus, as they wound up moving into an NYC apartment together in November 2017. After they called it quits in August 2018, he briefly dated Shauna Sexton.
Affleck and Shookus reconciled their romance in February 2019, but ended things for good that April.
Following his romance with Shookus, Affleck was spotted dining with Sexton at Nobu in Malibu in August 2018. Us confirmed that the Argo actor ended his fling with the Playboy model in 2018 after two months. The duo called it quits after they traveled to Big Sky, Montana, together.
Affleck and Armas met on set of their upcoming film, Deep Water. The duo sparked romance rumors in March 2020 when they went on a Cuban getaway together. Days later, a fan spotted the Town actor and Knives Out actress “making out” while waiting in the security line at a Cuban airport.
Us exclusively revealed later that month that the pair were “happy together and officially dating.” In May 2020, a source told Us that Affleck is “very serious” about the Knock Knock star and “wants [his] kids to spend time with her so they can get to know her.”
In January 2021, a source confirmed to Us that they had amicably split.
Elsewhere on 'Sister Wives', Kody also opened up about Robyn previously "pushing" him to make things work in his broken marriages to Meri, Janelle and Christine
"I have a cast and crew that were sent from heaven, especially my costar, Hannah Einbinder," Smart said while accepting the award for best performance by a female actor in a television series – musical or comedy
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