Harry Styles has all but confirmed One Direction is over.
After the departure of Zayn Malik, the boy band released its fifth album, Made in the A.M., in 2015. The remaining members—Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Styles and Louis Tomlinson—have not officially disbanded, but then again, neither did super groups 'N Sync or Destiny's Child (and we all know what happened there). Three members have signed solo contracts, making a reunion seem even less likely. But Styles, ever the optimist, doesn't want to break fans' hearts.
So, for AnOther Man magazine's Autumn/Winter 2016 issue (on newsstands now), the "One Thing" singer speaks to a musician who knows a thing or two about what happens when you go solo: The Beatles' Paul McCartney. "I would never say we'll never do anything again, but it's good for us to be exploring different things. Maybe at some point everyone will want to do something again, but it's better if it happens naturally. Like, 'Hey, we all really want to do something again.' If that were to happen it would be amazing. I would never rule that out," he says. "It's the most important, greatest thing that's ever happened to me, being in that band."
Performing for fans around the world as a dream come true, and it's not something Styles takes for granted. "Playing these big venues when you just see a sea of people, that view...You stop for a second and wish you could bring all your friends to just stand these with you for a second and see it. It's unlike anything else," the pop star says. "There's no drug you can take that gives you that same high. It's pretty amazing that it's a natural thing. The feelings come back to you—the view, the people. It's cool to have such specific moments in your mind to look back on."
Unlike Malik, for example, Styles insists he has zero regrets about his six-year stint with One Direction. "The nice thing for me is that I'm not coming away from the band feeling like I wasn't able to do what I wanted to do. I loved it and it was what I wanted but I'm enjoying writing at the moment; trying new things," he explains. "I've been asking myself, 'What do I want to say?'"
McCartney can certainly relate to Styles. "After you've left something big and famous and now you're actually doing your own thing, it can be great," he tells him. "I'm glad you're enjoying it."
Styles—who has a role in Christopher Nolan's upcoming World War II drama Dunkirk—is grateful he can finally pursue his individual interests. "I'm enjoying working right now, and if you're working you should make the most of it. I'm enjoying being in the studio and doing this movie and I'm not too bothered about going on vacation. I feel pretty lucky right now," he says. "I feel good about everything that happened with the band. I have no complaints or regrets."