Over the weekend, One Direction fans celebrated the band's anniversary.
But things may have gone differently if one of the members had refused to be brought to the auditions.
One Direction appeared on the British talent program "X-Factor" for the first time in 2010.
The Directioners' 12-year anniversary is something they look back on fondly, although it is wrapped in some hate.
Simon Cowell formed One Direction after each member auditioned separately: Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, and Zayn Malik.
Last year, Liam Payne said that One Direction as we know them nearly didn't happen.
In an interview, he recalled Zayn Malik telling him that "it was his parents who got him to attend to the audition the day he didn't want to go."
According to the "Strip That Down" singer, this is "exactly what we witnessed through One Direction."
"We always understood there were periods when One Direction was Zayn, and then there were occasions when it wasn't," he explained.
Payne further stated that Malik's interest is in music and is greater than fame.
He stated to his old bandmate that the "Pillow Talk" hitmaker appreciates the aspect of music where he gets to compose songs but not the aspects that come with it, such as celebrity.
"He likes to write songs - and his songs do quite well - but he doesn't want to go out and play them."
Meanwhile, Zayn Malik claimed that he has not been a fan of the band since its start in 2010.
He abruptly left One Direction in March 2015, as the band was in the midst of a world tour.
Malik stated on the band's social media sites that he intended to live a "regular 22-year-old existence" at that period.
Malik released his debut solo album, "Mind of Mine," a year after leaving One Direction.
He also spoke with Zane Lowe at the time about his history and future, stating that he had always intended to quit the band since its inception.
He admitted that he didn't want to be in the band but only wanted to try it because it was there.
However, the contemplation was almost complete when he realized the band's music was heading in a direction he didn't like.
"I couldn't comment because it went against the grain of who we were as a band and what we stood for. That's when it started to irritate me."
Since his departure, Zayn Malik has not been shy in criticizing the band's overall music.
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