Simon Cowell's recent remorse over not owning the One Direction brand has led to a visible rift as Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan unfollow him on Instagram.

One Direction was formed under Simon Cowell's guidance during the 2010 season of "The X Factor."

The group, comprising Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, skyrocketed to global fame, eventually becoming one of the top-selling boy bands.

Zayn Malik's departure in 2015 marked the beginning of the end for the original lineup, with the remaining members going their separate ways just a year later.

Daily Mail reported that their split left them with shared ownership of the "One Direction" name—an arrangement Simon Cowell recently criticized.

Simon Cowell Reflects on Ownership Missteps

In a candid episode of the "Diary Of A CEO" podcast by Steven Bartlett, Simon Cowell expressed deep regret about not securing the rights to the "One Direction" name.

He mentioned the limitations this placed on continuing the band’s legacy, hinting at his inability to push projects like animated series or movies without the consent of all members.

"They own the name. I could have made an animation or something," Simon explained during the podcast, showcasing his frustration over missed opportunities to further expand the One Direction brand following the group's disbandment.

Reactions from Former Band Members

This revelation did not sit well with former band members Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan, who recently showed their disapproval by unfollowing Simon on Instagram.

This act highlights the strained relationships and differing perspectives on management decisions that have surfaced after the band's dissolution.

Simon's plan to launch a new competition to find another successful boy band suggests a shift in his management strategy. This time, he intends to retain ownership of the band's name, likely to avoid the complications he encountered with One Son Direction.

Challenges of Shared Ownership

During the podcast, Simon detailed the practical challenges posed by shared ownership. Any new content involving the band name would need unanimous member consent, which complicates any attempts to revive or extend the brand without full cooperation.

"I told them about the grueling schedule—it comes with the territory. It just comes with it; you will lose a lot of privacy," Simon reminisced about the early advice he gave to the band, underlining the harsh realities of pop stardom.

Simon Cowell's New Venture

Amid these reflective moments, Simon has been actively promoting his next big project—a new competition designed to create another boy band phenomenon.

He has called upon future stars to join this endeavor, emphasizing the need for commitment and resilience in the highly demanding music industry.

Why This Story Matters

The drama between Simon Cowell and former One Direction members underlines significant aspects of music management and artist autonomy. It sheds light on the often complex and contested relationships between creators and the industry giants who manage them.

This story also highlights the evolving nature of entertainment management, where rights and ownership issues can impact long-term relationships and the legacy of successful acts.

To conclude, Simon Cowell’s recent reflections and the consequential responses from Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan have brought to light crucial issues in managing band names and legacies. As Cowell moves forward with new projects, the entertainment industry watches to see how these lessons will be applied.