Liam Payne has claimed that Jesy Nelson left Little Mix for the ‘same reasons’ as his former bandmate Zayn Malik quit One Direction.
The Strip That Down hitmaker, 27, chatted about the singer, 29, stepping away from the girl group during a TikTok Live on Wednesday, sending ‘love’ to the band.
Comparing the exits, Liam said: ‘Someone Zayn’d out… No, let’s be serious about this. It’s always sad at this moment in time when bands get into that sort of thing.
Interesting: Liam Payne has claimed that Jesy Nelson left Little Mix for the ‘same reasons’ as his former bandmate Zayn Malik quit One Direction in a TikTok Live video on Wednesday
‘Having been there myself, I feel like Zayn had left for pretty much the same reasons in a weird way.
‘But I wish Jesy all the best. I wish the girls all the best with carrying on as a three.’
He continued: ‘It’s a tough time and I do feel for them, because everyone is watching in that little fish bowl at the moment.
‘No one really understands what is going on and how it feels for some people [breaks into his new upcoming song] … I’m sending a lot of love to Little Mix.’
MailOnline has contacted Jesy’s representatives for a comment.
Exit: Jesy, 29, revealed she had left Little Mix on Monday, saying the ‘constant pressure’ of being in the band over the last nine years has taken a toll on her mental health
Both of the successful bands met on the X Factor, with 1D being formed in 2010 and losing Zayn as a member in 2015 while Little Mix won the show in 2011.
Zayn announced he was leaving the boyband with a statement shared on social media in March 2015 where he cited wanting ‘some private time’ as a reason.
He said: ‘My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band.
‘I’d like to apologise to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight.
Stepping away: Zayn, 27, announced he was leaving 1D in March 2015 where he cited wanting ‘some private time’ as a reason (pictured after he left in 2016 with girlfriend Gigi Hadid)
‘I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world.’
One Direction, who have been on a hiatus since 2016, are a global phenomenon and have sold over 200 million records worldwide, with over 21 billion streams across all streaming platforms.
They have won nearly 200 awards including 7 BRIT Awards, 4 MTV Music Awards, 6 Billboard Music Awards, 7 American Music Awards and 28 Kids Choice Awards.
Jesy also broke the news of her exit from Little Mix to heartbroken fans with a lengthy statement shared to Instagram on Monday night.
Happier times: One Direction were formed on the X Factor in 2010 and have been on a hiatus since 2016 (pictured on the singing show in 2010 – L-R: Liam, Niall, Harry, Louis and Zayn)
Way back: Little Mix were crowned the winners of The X Factor in 2011 when they become the first band to ever win the show in its history (pictured L-R: Perrie, Jesy, Jade and Leigh-Anne)
She penned: ‘To all my Mixers, the past nine years in Little Mix has been the most incredible time of my life. We have achieved things I never thought possible. From winning our first Brit Award to our sold out shows at the O2.
‘Making friends and fans all over the world I can’t thank you all enough from the bottom of my heart for making me feel like the luckiest girl in the world. You have always been there to support and encourage me and I will never ever forget it.
‘The truth is recently being in the band has really taken a toll on my mental health. I find the constant pressure of being in a girl group and living up to expectations very hard.
‘There comes a time in life when we need to reinvest in taking care of ourselves rather than focusing on making other people happy, and I feel like now is the time to begin that process.
Emotional: Jesy shared a heartfelt statement on Monday where she announced her departure and revealed she wants to focus on things that make her ‘happy’
‘So after much consideration and with a heavy heart, I’m announcing I’m leaving Little Mix.’
Jesy emotionally added: ‘I need to spend some time with the people I love, doing things that make me happy. I’m ready to embark on a new chapter in my life – I’m not sure what it’s going to look like right now, but I hope you’ll still be there to support.
‘I want to say thank you to everyone involved in our journey. All the hard work and dedication that went into making us a success.
‘To every single fan who came to see us in concert, who listened to our songs and sung their hearts out, sent me messages and supported me along the way I want you to know I love you all so much and I could never have done this without you and I appreciate it endlessly.
‘Most of all I want to say thank you to Jade, Perrie and Leigh-Anne for creating some of the most amazing memories I’ll never forget. I hope that you’ll continue to fulfil all of your dreams and keep on making music that people love. Love Jesy x.’
Support: The remaining trio also shared a supportive post to the band’s official account after Jesy announced the news
Fans were left devastated over the news as they sent their best wishes to both Jesy and the band in emotional messages.
While several celebrities, such as Dermot O’Leary and Frankie Bridge, reached out on the post to support Jesy as they praised the star for her ‘brave’ decision.
Jesy’s ex-boyfriend Chris Hughes also showed his support and he commented under her post with ‘the best’ along with a love heart emoji.
One person said: ‘I’m in tears rn… But I wish the best for jesy and the girls… No words can express the pain I’m feeling right now… I’m devastated.’
Since the news broke, Little Mix have reportedly vowed to continue as a trio and have already made plans for the future.
Carrying on: It comes as Little Mix have reportedly vowed to keep singing and have already made plans for the future with a new single ready to release in 2021
A source has claimed that remaining members Perrie Edwards, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall have already got a single ready to go as a three-piece.
They told The Sun: ‘The tour [Confetti] could have just been cancelled if Perrie, Leigh-Anne and Jade didn’t want to carry on, but they adore Little Mix and all decided they don’t want this to be the end.
‘There is a new single featuring the three of them ready to go early next year, as well as other tracks, and there could even be a seventh album before 2021 is over.
‘2021 marks a decade of Little Mix and the girls are raring to go for another ten years.’
They added that the girl group are in ‘advanced talks’ about filming a second series of their hit singing talent show The Search.
Shock: Fans were left devastated over the news as they sent their best wishes to both Jesy and the band in emotional messages