One Direction's Zayn Malik misses 'Today' show appearance to promote band's ...
1D was one man down for a major moment in their career.
Zayn Malik of One Direction was a no-show at the band's album-release blowout on the 'Today' show Monday, splashing gas on rumors the absent star is grappling with substance abuse issues.
There were murmurs on social media that the 21-year-old singer has been struggling with drugs or alcohol, but his four bandmates were singing a different tune at their appearance in front of 15,000 shrieking fans in Orlando.
'Yea, he's got a tummy bug, so he's not very well at the moment, so he couldn't make it,' Liam Payne told Matt Lauer after the 'Today' host asked about Malik's whereabouts.
'We only found out this morning, so we were very sad and he is as well that he can't be here for our album release day. But it's still going to be a really great day, I'm sure,' he added.
Lauer then directly address the addiction rumors.
'Is it something more serious than just a minor illness?' Lauer asked.
'No, he's just got a stomach bug, he's ok,' Payne replied, as bandmate Niall Horan made a squirting sound into his microphone two chairs away.
'He's just at home, he needs to rest, he's ok,' Payne said.
'When's he going to rejoin the band?' Lauer asked.
'We're not sure yet, we're just waiting for a phone call from him,' Payne replied.
The band's rep later told HollywoodLife.com that Malik was 'all good' and that Payne's remarks would be the final word on the topic.
Malik's absence sent tremors through the 1D's teenage fan base, whose tweets about his illness sent the hashtag '#GetWellSoonZayn' trending worldwide.
WHY WAS ZAYNE NOT IN THE TODAY SHOW PERFORMANCE? WHY WAS HE NOT THERE THE DAY THE ALBUM DROPPED? I fear the worst...
- Taylor Elaine Jones (@Tayloriselaine) November 17, 2014
'So one direction is on the Today show and um, where's Zayne???? this is tragic,' one fan wrote.
'Is it just me or do 1D seem to be struggling without Zayne on today show,' another chimed in.
The band's appearance on 'Today' came on the day of the release of their latest album, titled 'Four.'
Malik and bandmate Louis Tomlinson landed in hot water in May after a leaked video appeared to show them smoking a joint while on tour in Peru.
After that incident, Payne was again forced to clear the air.
'We are only in our 20s and we all do stupid things at this age,' Payne wrote in a Twitter apology.
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