After building a solo force out of Justin Timberlake following his departure from ‘NSync, the music manager Johnny Wright has set his sights on One Direction dropout Zayn Malik, offering him advice he feels will help fare just as well as his ‘Cry Me a River’ client.
Full story below…
Malik announced he was to leave the group earlier this week and is now planning to release solo material under the Syco umbrella with help from the company’s boss Simon Cowell and Emeli Sande producer Naughty Boy.
Now, the 22-year-old will learn that he also has Wright’s support, given to him after the power player managed the likes of Janet Jackson, the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Ciara, the Jonas brothers and the aforementioned Justin.
I can’t really speak internally about the group, but from fans’ perspective it’s always sad when you invest yourself into a group and somebody leaves, but it’s not unheard-of: Kevin [Richardson] left Backstreet Boys and then came back and the group went on. One Direction have been on such a roll for the last few years, and I can understand: you’re 22 years old you’ve seen the world and played so many shows and you say, ‘Hey, I want to start living my life.’ As far as them moving forward, the band is the band and as long as it continues to put on great shows and put out great music, I think the fans will be okay with it.
My advice to him would be to always leave an open door with the band, so that there’s time for him to develop and find himself, but always leave that door open so that he can come back. As for how he might come back, if that’s what he wants to do, it all comes down to the kind of record he decides to make.
As much as people think there’s a blueprint for all this, there is not: It really comes down to what you as an artist want to do, what the music has to say and how you are going to present yourself. And if he goes solo, I’d say: make a great record, be humble and put in the work; keep your doors open, take the time you need and make sure that if you decide to come back that you’re coming back for the right reasons – not money or fame. And make a record that’s really about who you are as an artist. If that means you’re only gonna play small coffeehouses, be satisfied with that, because you reached the top of the mountain, and I can tell you a thousand kids I could talk to next week who would love one fraction of that.
I have an 11-year-old daughter that’s a fan of the band, and we talked about this. It’s a sad moment because it’s something she was heavily invested in, so she’s sad to see him go, but she’s a fan of the brand: One Direction. I think she probably wouldn’t want to see them add another member to replace him, but she’ll support the band just as she did before. She still loves him and she still loves them.
Do you agree?
![Songwriters Hall of Fame 2025: Janet Jackson, Eminem, N.W.A., & Rodney Jerkins Nominated [Full List]](https://thatgrapejuice.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/janet-jackson-eminem-nwa-songwriters-hall-fame-tgj-464x260.jpg "Songwriters Hall of Fame 2025: Janet Jackson, Eminem, N.W.A., & Rodney Jerkins Nominated [Full List].")
Although he was the better looking one of the group, he wasn’t near the most talented. Non of their voices stands out, he can’t dance, nor havr an image that pops out other than his ethnicity. He’ll be Nick Jonas at best, a MJ, Dianna, Beyonce and a JT comes around every 20 years (minimum). I mean, look at Omarion and Nicol Swashdhdhdhdhdhhd-er.
Mark did you see that mess go down on the Home post? This trashy site is such a fúcking Kii! Zayn Floppick is a joke with no talent, that pressed fág Skyfall will have to deal!!! I can’t wait for the systematic meltdowns 😆
Yes! I was dragging Del Bey like a red waggon and Rihanna had S a m so mad that he wrote a poorly shady article and deleted one. Lol, I’m done with this site on the week of R8 tho. I have to witness the meltdown.
The hive are pressed because of this tea..
“The House of Katzenberg really needed a hit like Home. I was pretty grim about the box office prospects for DreamWorks Animation’s Home in my “box office” portion of my mixed-positive review. I promised a Mea Culpa if the film ended up being a big hit, but frankly I didn’t think I’d have to offer one this soon. I was super optimistic about How to Train Your Dragon 2, and I’m generally optimistic about DreamWorks animated features, both in terms of artistic potential and box office returns. But they’ve been in a bad place the last few years, with middling returns for the likes of Turbo, Mr. Peabody and Sherman, Rise of the Guardians, and The Penguins of Madagascar. Even I had given up hope, feeling a bit like Charlie Brown after being promised by Lucy that this time she’d totally let him kick that football. But Home is indeed looking like the smash hit, the smash non-sequel hit no-less, that DreamWorks desperately needed. I am very happy to have been wrong this week. Because Home, starring Rihanna, Jim Parsons, and Jennifer Lopez, made $54 million over its debut weekend. It has now grossed $102.2m worldwide”
Death.. Opening 54-59 million this weekend and grossed over 102.2 m worldwide?
Zayn is vocally the best in the group as well as the best looking.
I don’t pay that much attention, but the kid witg the birth mark on his neck and Harry are better singers by far. Those are the only 3 I see having solo careers.
I disagree to me Harry mostly screams which is why his vocals constantly cracks and gives out, Liam to me is the second best singer, but I prefer Zayns voice to them All.
Best Singer?! LOL! Bítch please. There’s nothing to write home about. Ooookay. Zayn’s career was done before it began. I look forward to giving him change for packing my bags in Walmart. 😆 #FakeNavi
Well I’ll take your word for it. I only see then on awards shows.
He doesn’t have the charisma, arrogance or star power of JT, or even Robbie Williams.
JT is not arrogant.
Lol what is that, sarcasm?
He’s a sweet guy 😀
That is soo true if one only looked at usher in the past yr or so, but when he made songs like sins of my father, most of here I stand, can u help me etc.
And blue ocean?! That is really the song one picks?! The drawn out melancholy song when JT has songs like all over again and losing my way that show case more depth?!
He is one beautiful boy!
Don’t know him but JT is the blueprint.
of what? Usher clones?
I didn’t know Usher was MJ, why would JT want to be an inferior artist?
The nerve of you to say usher was an inferior artist. JT is being talk about now, not because he is a better artist than usher but because he left his group and become a successful solo act. If a member of a group leaves, he is automatically being compared to the likes of JT and beyonce. This does not make JT a better artist than Usher. Usher sold more record and had more hits, so please get your fact straight. Usher is a more successful artist than JT. So if there is any inferior artist here, it’s JT and not usher.
Do you really think Usher is more talented musically than JT?, one is a dancer, the other is a musician, dancer, producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist etc…All you talk about was record sales, hits, nothing about music, btw, SexyBack alone is more known globaly than any Usher song, there’s no comparison, JT is a superior artist/musician.
JT inferior? To Usher of all people? April 1st is not today.
Usher is a better songer, and justin may produce more of his own music, but thats like giving katy perry credit for being a song writer, nothing special. JT songs from 3 albums all show limited growth he has done from s*** back to 20/20 vision part 2. Also, I think yeah is a bigger song, s*** back was hyped up bc the idea he brought s*** back and the media still goes with it
Usher is not a better singer (WTF?). And he was the one that started making pathetic music to appeal to the public and scared them away. What a genius he is!
Usher has a better viice and one if the best male voices in popular music. And compared to Justin, usjer is a far better singer, no matyer what he sings. Hes been a great vocalist for yrs, where justin still was learning how to use is voice when he went solo (look at his national anthem attempt). Usher music may has fallen off, but justin makes the same kind of music, which is why 20/20 part 2 didnt live up to the hype of the orginal, which was over gyped bc of his rerurn, not bc of the music behind it.
Blue Ocean Floor >>>>> anything that guy has ever done.
sorry don’t know him.
Then you should be reading a Book and not trolling on TGJ
??? Usher sh1ts on JT in every way. Oh and that tour that you guyd said would flop just ended, dude sold out the garden. #what
And yet no one cared. No records were made. Seems like well hidden flop.
Well step outside of the world of q**** and you’ll find out that it was a great tour. Poor you.
With your taste I would rather worry about you. I’m sure Usher is thankful for your attempts in making him revelant again by bringing him up next to Justin.
Looking at the downvotes I think I found all remaining Usher fans. Didn’t know all 14 of them were hiding on TGJ.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=cN_Y_ZV0wrU
He wasnt the standout member of the group. Im no 1d fan, but I know their music videos enough to know he was not the jistin or even jc of the group as far as being the standout member. His looks, being etnic and “exotic” are what stood him out from the other group members, not his talent. Can he sing? Idk, but I know he was not good enough to continue as a solo act on the uk x factor, so I dont know how well he will do now, after being more seasoned of a musician. But the article speaks nothin/ but the facts, if he wants out the group, do it so if he is ready to come back they can welcome him back. If he wants a solo career, be an artist that is out side of 1d, and not a solo version of the group. And dont have expectations if he does go solo bc if he fails , but expects a thriller moment, that can make someone go crazy and lose it
Again Usher fans come crawling back. I have yet to see JT fans fighting on topic that doesn’t involve him. Anything to get little revelance for your hasbeen? I don’t go reading Usher flop threads, because I’m not interested. Keep his ass out of here and stop embarassing him and yourselves.
Amen, same with Janet’s name in every Madonna post, get over it.
Gurl bye, are you mad that the truth was spoken? Usher shits on JT and you know. he’s an overall better artist than JT would ever been
You are proving my point. Frustrated much?
Usher>JT
In other news BBHMM is still #1 on us iTunes and Home soundtrack has shout up to#11
This Zayn guy should try acting or have a celebrity girlfriend. I hear Demi Lovato is single.
Zayn is dating an oyinbo from the UK. Why don’t you focus on Ickie garbaj and the 500 hundred dícks she has lined up 😆
He’s already engaged to Perrie from little mix boo.
Usher is struggling to maintain relevancy. Three singles in, and he finally gets a semi-hit and still no album in sight. JT still has the ability to sell albums and top billboard while ushers fans abandoned him after Confessions.
Yeah dont bc none of justin albums ever had a clear direction or shared any perspective where he is in life.
Usher has 20+ yrs in the game since his 1st single was released. Name 1 musician who was out came out sround the time usher was who still gets on award shows and sell tours, charting singles. 7 albums later, usher doesnt have a thing to prove and is not in the same stage of his career as justin. Justin has only had 3 areas worth of music and 3 albums in 13 yrs to get ppl to miss him and get that hype.
JT has the talent, charisma and beauty that Usher lacks.
Better get that flame repellent shield up.
Tahat is very subjective, as usher is the suprior singer of the 2, better dancer as well. Also, as a fan of both, justin music can have more depth compared to current usher, but usher has been far more versatile with each alvum depicting where he is at in life. RvsT was newly divorce usher, Here I stand is a newly wed usher, confesions is post chili, looking 4 myself is usher seeing his edm inspired songs like omg, dj got us falling in love, a david guetta song all do well, but his rnb songs not gaining success so he does what any smart person would do, saw the market change nd went to what ppl were buying.
Lol gurl, it’s not even worthy.
Yeah dont bc none of justin albums ever had a clear direction or shared any perspective where he is in life.
Jt fans pressed over King Raymond; JT and his nasally vocals could learn a thing or two from King Raymond
Who?
The one who has a diamond album next to Britney spears. Yawnone nor ju-Jessica timberflake has one kii! that’s who you bottom of the barrel gutter b****
Sorry but Using S****** Spears as an example of excellence makes you look like a moron. I guess Usher and Britney have similar level of talent too. And JT was with NSYNC during the time where people were able to sell big numbers of CDs.
I don’t get it. I see Usher fans trying to bring him up and they are the ones whining and complaining. “King” Raymond and his fanbase remain embarassing.
Read the comments again then tell me which fans are the pressed souls, bitter, jealousy is such an ugly thing. Rethorical.
Usher is a better singer and dancer get over it. Usher also produces and writes just like JT.
And Usher has sold more records and no Nsync sales don’t count, solo usher slayed JT sales so why y’all mad? If usher is so irrelevant
Where’s JTS diamond album? Oh okay
Better question: Where is Usher’s career?
Who’s counting Nsync sales?, who’s talking about RECORD SALES?
If records sales is all it takes to be better then we can all agree that Britney is a better singer than Beyoncé and Xtina, Usher’s fans logic.
I said no such thing I said usher is also a better singer and dancer AND he’s sold more
HIS DEBUT ERA WILL BE HUGE BUT WILL END UP CRASHING AND BURNING AFTERWARDS
LOL @ this becoming a JT vs Usher post dead! x___x
Usher is scared to release that album. I predict 65k first week sales.
Still sold more than JT
Everyone sold more than Skeri Hilson.
Black artists>>>>>>>> white artists, just saying
The Beatles alone >>>> Negroids, Mongoloids, Animals, Aliens, The Simpsons….
Don’t forget all the classical composers that made music a popular marketable medium were all white too.
You make me physically Ill. It’s so obvious you’re a racist, and your excuse is always ‘He said it first’. Whatever… It’s like you’re waiting by your computer for someone to say the slightest insult about a white person, for you to chime in and vent all of that racism bubbling under. JM’s comment was wrong as true talent transcends race, but you definitely came looking like the bigger asss.
@AnnaliseKeatingsNewWig
I won’t play your ‘Racist’ game, not this time.
Wise choice, since you’ll end up with even worse Foot-In-Mouth disease. Game Over
And keep using those apostrophes, that won’t make it any less true. In what planet was ‘Negroid’ or ‘Mongoloid’ not offensive, unless you were writing a paper on Anthropology.
So i guess “Caucasians” is an offensive term, is the right term, blacks, whites etc, are wrong terms, sorry if that offended you.
Yaasss Annaliese read!!! Finish that racist b****.
I cannot speak on behalf of an entire race but I do know It’s a term many people take offence to – certainly if you used it in everyday conversations it would be a massive problem.
Just be more mindful of how it can be perceived.
If we’re going by your terms, it’s “caucasoid” so get your s*** correct
I won’t apologize, i say nothing wrong, if you are offended by my comment then that’s your problem, it was as a joke, not even towards black people, i do’n even know how to call them anymore, sorry in advance if “black people” offends you as well.
Oh BYE you’re such a stubborn B*tch, you should have gone with your first instinct and not responded, because you made things 10x worse for yourself.
It’s always a pity party for you isn’t it? boohoo S****** the poor racist who’s being attacked for stating his opinion. Well why don’t you try thinking before you type? Need I remind you Rock was heavily influenced by Blues, Jazz & Country all of which was spearheaded by ‘Negroids’ as you refer to them as. Therefore ultimately the Beatles were influenced by the same ‘Negroids’ and ‘Mongoloids’ you constantly disrespect. And I believe you already said you were ‘Sorry’, so why are so persistent in making a mockery of yourself.
Trust me, i’m enjoying this.
Bored Now.
Racist.
@JM Also Europid, which i’m sure no-one would want to be called
The Beatles are overrated just like Elvis
Thank you, they were the world’s first huge boy band and continue to be hyped beyond belief. They’re not bad but they aren’t that great.
My God forgive you.
May God forgive your mother for not swallowing you
Someone help that s****** blonde child with its delusions!
If Zayn wants he it he could have it. He has already performed for stadiums he could just chill and put out music. And he only seems to be dull because in interviews the other boys are loud. They only look good when he is around…now nvm. From what I understand he is very outgoing and charismatic but he is not to pressed to be loud about it. He has the looks and the voice he can do it ,if he wants it and I am not sure if he wants it right now.