Is Stress Getting To One Direction? Zayn Malik, Other Band Members Smoke Cigarettes To Take Edge Off

Are the members of One Direction breaking down from stress? Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson were snapped going out to smoke cigarettes to take the edge off.

Snaps published on MailOnline showed Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson sneaking out the back to smoke cigarettes at the Australia's ARIA Awards.

"Looking far from nervous about their upcoming set, Louis perched casually on a railing after opting for an all-black outfit," the tabloid said. "Zayn looked upbeat as he chatted to his pal after recently overcoming a 'tummy bug', which left him back in the UK while the rest of the group flew to the US to promote their album, Four."

The whole controversy stemmed from the series of questions by Matt Lauer of the Today Show when the British singer could not join his bandmates in the interview, said The Independent.

In explaining the absence of One Direction member Zayn Malik, Liam Payne answered: "He's got a tummy bug so he's not very well at the moment so he couldn't make it over."

But Matt Lauer pushed further: "Is it something more serious than just a minor illness? There have been rumours of substance abuse - what's going on?"

Meanwhile, the Mirror noted that Zayn Malik and his One Direction bandmates, Liam Payne and Tomlinson looked weary when they touched down at the Heathrow Airport and smoke cigarettes.

"The pop singer and his band mates, Louis Thomlinson and Liam Payne, looked visibly tired as they sparked up cigarettes," it said. "Wearing mostly black, the boys appeared subdued and weary after the long flight."

The band has been warding off rumors, particularly with the reported plan by Zayn Malik to leave One direction, as well as the allegations that he has a drug problem.

A source told Mirror that, "Zayn's exhausted and sick of fame. And awful situations like this one - when he's accused of being a drug addict - are exactly why he's had enough."

Zayn Malik and fiancee Perrie Edwards are rumored to be planning to leave behind the fame in favor of a more quiet life.

"Zayn is fed up with the whole fame thing. He loves singing and his fans but he just wants a quiet life now," an insider told Sunday People newspaper, as shared by IBN Live.