It was one thing for fans of the band to be overwhelmed by the news of One Direction member Zayn Malik leaving, but apparently, the split came not as a surprise for just the fans, but for other pop stars as well.

Among those who expressed surprise in the news that Zayn left the band for good is Canadian pop star Justin Bieber, who according to the Hollywood Life expressed his shock over the news. The entertainment news site said that 21-year-old Bieber was spotted at the Grafton Hotel in West Hollywood, where he was told that One Direction is becoming a four-piece band. While taking photos with a group of girls outside the hotel, Bieber expressed his disbelief, exclaiming, "Zayn's gone? Noooo! Not Zayn!"

He went on saying that he wasn't happy about Zayn leaving, even pointing out that, "That was my favorite Directioner!"

Unfortunately for Justin (and the rest of the girls who loved the group), Zayn is adamant about leaving, and he's not regretting his decision. In fact, according to the Los Angeles Times, he told London Newspaper The Sun that he feels pretty good about it, saying, "I feel like I'm doing what's right, and right by myself and right by the boys, so I feel good."

He also made sure that fans know that despite rumors of a rift between him and the rest of the boys of the group, they remain to be in good spirits, saying that the rumors "couldn't be more wrong."

He also went on to say, "My band has been really supportive. They've been cool about it, and they understand that, you know, it's not real to me anymore."

It seems that he's really moving forward without the rest of the group, because in a report from People Magazine, he's definitely gunning for a solo career as he was seen spotted going to a recording studio just a day after he announced that he was leaving the group. Apparently, Zayn is pursuing his own career, with producer Naughty Boy producing his first solo release.

He also acknowledged that he may be breaking the hearts of the girls around the world who had been rooting for him and the band to stay together, but to that, he said, "I feel like I've let the fans down but I can't do this anymore. It's not that I've turned my back on them or anything, it's just that I just can't do that anymore because it's not the real me."

Are you as sad as Justin Bieber when you found out about Zayn's departure from One Direction?