Louis Walsh: Zayn Malik “Probably Did The Right Thing”

X Factor judge Louis Walsh has spoken out about Zayn Malik’s departure from One Direction on Wednesday stating that the boy band star “probably did the right thing”. Walsh, who has managed a number of boy bands in his time including Boyzone and Westlife, stated that he knew “everybody wasn’t happy in paradise” before the news broke this week. He added that Zayn has “made enough money for his life and health and sanity”. “The problem with these guys is they’ve been in a bubble for the last five years, pressure, working, a lot harder than people think, so something had to give. Zayn was the first person to crack up a little bit,” Walsh stated. The popular judge added that he believes Zayn is going to launch a solo career. “I’m told he’s very talented as a songwriter,” he explained to RTÉ Radio 1. “And I know he’s been in studio with producers in the last few months. He might surprise us.” Looking once more at the pressures that have been on the chart-topping band since leaving X Factor, Louis continued: “The dark side of it is all the travelling, the airports, in a bubble, not really seeing real life. “The thing with One Direction is they were massive worldwide. They were going from continent to continent. “Going from hotels to hotels, he probably didn’t see the light of day, he was just working, working, working,” he reflected. “Now it’s everybody’s dream but there’s an awful lot of pressure with it too. “Because with boy bands, and with pop bands, they have a shelf life of maybe five to six years with kids. And then the kids grow up and move onto something else. “If the other four work it, I mean they’ve got a tour and a record coming out next year. I don’t they’re going to break up or anything,” he said. “He certainly made enough money, for his life and health and sanity, he probably did the right thing. “He’s the guy that left One Direction but he has enough money in the bank for the rest of his life if he uses it right.”