Last year, Zayn Malik left One Direction to focus on a career as a solo artist. A few months after leaving the band, the singer signed a record deal with RCA. Now, it looks like the British boyband, which is currently on hiatus, is losing another member. Harry Styles has officially split from the group's longtime management team.
According to Billboard, Styles left Modest Management and has signed with CAA's Jeffrey Azoff. Modest confirmed the singer's departure in a statement.
"We wish Harry the very best. It has been a real pleasure working with him," said Modest executives Richard Griffiths and Harry McGee. "Harry is a total gentleman, and we know our good friend Jeffrey Azoff will look after him."
According to a an earlier report from The Sun, the 22-year-old and Azoff are discussing investing in a new Hollywood management company. A source said that Styles's new management team will be launching him as a "solo superstar" around this time next year.
The insider also said that Styles is "done" with One Direction, and he reportedly wants to completely disassociate himself from the band, including all professional connections. The source adds that the singer wants a fresh start and that could include changing his record company.
"Universal and Warner are both likely to make big money bids too and he could end up signing one of the most lucrative record deals in recent history," said the source.
Styles's departure from the band's management team immediately sparked rumors that One Direction is splitting up for good. Last year, it was announced that the band will be going on a year-long hiatus so that they could focus on individual projects. But a source close to the band told Billboard that nothing has changed regarding the hiatus plans for the group and that Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Niall Horan will reveal everything "in due time."
