Zayn's Call to Action: This Will Not Be "The Last of Us"

 

As many are aware, Narnia Dispatches has been posting about the entertainment industry and the closeting of celebrities since 2016, with a particular focus on the journeys and struggles of our favorite couples. Throughout those many years, there have been only two occasions where a post has been intended to be both informative and fun as well as a call to action to help change the status quo.

One Direction: Round and Round and Round We Go! 

Proceed with Caution: Possible danger up ahead for the Larrie Fandom

Since the last quarter of 2024, Narnia's efforts have been primarily focused on researching and developing a more in depth understanding about what we believe led up to the culminating events surrounding October 16, 2024. A task somewhat challenging given that the media narrative is still evolving and being "adjusted" in real time. Even so, given the fast tracking of Louis' most recent stunt, and with Zayn's Instagram May 25th messaging today (including Louis' quick 'Like', Zayn's follow back and wearing the Liam red and yellow necklace), we felt an exception was in order. Especially, since October 16, 2024 is directly linked to what is happening now. 

What's more, Harry showing up with his yellow (Goldenrod) Prada "Collapse" Elastic sneakers, that just happens to match the color of Louis' Burberry Alleyn t-shirt that he wore at his Sydney performance last February, stretches the credulity of coincidence beyond reason. Add in the accompanying message of Harry's "anxiety" themed t-shirt and it no longer is an option to remain silent. These guys are talking to us. Loudly. Time to listen while remaining calm as TPTB will inevitably use the media to attack fans and exploit social media to publicly separate Louis and Harry in real time. Raising awareness is part of our damage control. Part of our superpower. 

First and foremost, Harry is right by Louis' side through this next emotional and nerve-racking narrative shift. He's literally wearing the observation that 'Anxiety Has Many Faces' on his t-shirt. The fact that Harry's photo was taken by a co-owner of a PR firm reminds Narnia of this recent post Louis uploaded to his instagram:

The Executive Head of Film is Louis Tomlinson and Chris Frewin (Former Cowell employee) is the Director. Gee, Narnia wonders who has more power in that "collaboration". Still, with so many warning signs and red flags that something nefarious has been put into motion, Narnia believes it's important to speak out now with a targeted "dispatch" that underscores what appears to be the prestaging of a far more ominous and unorthodox attack upon the Larrie fandom. In other words, be aware that this will not be business as usual, although several Sony/Cowell core elements are quite familiar. 

Louis, for instance, is made to appear like he's cooperating, supposedly to help sell product and raise his public profile while growing a male fan base. Accusations hurled at Harry Styles when Holivia was rolled out in 2021. That's why the actual Louis fandom is getting periodic updates about his "working" on LT3. And, that's the reason for his current high-profile straight persona. Secondly, make him look as inauthentic and misogynistic as possible since Management knows Louis' honesty and respect for women always has been two of his biggest selling points. Thirdly, use social media to attack fans who call out the BS. Like the recent "extra toxic" exchange which is a tried and true PR tool dating back to September 16, 2012 and the infamous OG tweet: 

Oh, and let's not forget The London Evening Standard's recent back-to-the-future hit piece. An inexplicable article dropped by Louis' "team" to kick off their new/old narrative of Louis Tomlinson™ on March 12, 2025. Louis looks frozen in time as TPTB return to their 2017 deceitful branding of the Chav Louis public image. Here's part of the fandom's answer to why Syco alumnus, Chris Frewin, followed Louis to Seven 7 Management, Ltd. after Tomlinson publicly "left" Syco (via a tweet) in 2020. Coincidentally, Zayn's current manager, Nicola Carson Nicols, also worked for Sony and Modest Management for years. Narnia is politely using the past tense form, but it's pretty obvious how Simon Cowell/Sony remain very much in charge of these guys' public images, in the actual present. Which means controlling any constructed media narrative marketed to the public. 

The very first sentence of the "Chav" article sets the insulting, negative tone immediately: "Louis Tomlinson still cannot shake the One Direction mob". 

Then the reader is fed the following spiteful portrayal:

• growing horde of girls barely in their teens
• some accompanied by their doting fathers
• clothes made in China are being frantically erected
• he lights a cigarette before cracking open a beer 
• he is wearing a fair bit of concealer
• while Tomlinson appears somewhat erratic
• [then the whole grief/loss narrative revisited]
• [return of the Chavvy narrative directly related to Syco branding]

All Narnia can say at this point is, "Welcome to the final show. Hope you're wearing your best clothes".  

What is about to be rolled out over the next several months is reminiscent of Kabuki theater. Ultimately, Niall called his last album, "The Show" for a reason. Just like with the planned content surrounding Liam's very public ruination, TPTB are going to make sure that their fingerprints are removed from every stunt. Every narrative. Every homophobic machination. Analogous to Liam's assigned image and storyline arc, Louis will be shoved out on center stage as a virtual punching bag, with another female "co-star" playing her, "loved up" heterosexual supporting role, while those hiding behind the curtains remain in the shadows and unaccountable. Hopefully, onlookers will be wiser this time around. 

Louis Sydney, Australia yellow (Goldenrod) shirt 2.2.24

With all this as context, Louis has still been able, either through negotiation, or by exploiting contractual loopholes, to use his voice to message how he knows his fandom will always be on his side in relation to "what's about to come". Significantly, he did so the day after Harry's 30th Birthday. Emphasizing that whatever is coming will impact them together. He also foreshadowed what was about to take place by being spotted with "Love Island" actors, Phoebe Spiller and Claudia Bonifazi while in Sydney during this same time period. The meeting strategically documented on Instagram for all to see. Translation: Louis is howlin' 'til his lungs hurt that all of this is planned.

Sodramaticpodcast, 2.12.24

Harry's matching yellow (Goldenrod) shoes and anxiety t-shirt) in Italy recently

Given Louis' more than one-year advanced notice of a pending "Love Island" "connection", those paying close attention know something headline producing is about to happen. Something the fandom has never experienced unless, of course, those individuals lived through Louis' original Babygate back in 2015. October 16th has proven that TPTB are no longer fighting a war of attrition when it comes to covering up their actions and abuses. Especially, as those actions relate to Louis and Liam's Babygates. As part of industry practice, blame and culpability must be transferred to the victims. Not the perpetrators. In the grand scheme, even the selection of Sydney, Australia as Louis' messaging platform serves a purpose. A hidden reference (Easter egg) of what is about to come. For Dinosaur Larries that particular name definitely stands out in relation to Louis' Babygate narrative. How could the pre-hiatus fandom forget the name, Sydney Rain?

With this context in mind, upcoming initiatives and plot developments will continue to be tactically rolled out with the primary goal of making sure Louis will be blamed for his portrayal in the media and his industry imposed closet. Babygate scandals being the primary narratives needing to be cleaned up the most.  By the way, that's what the lead up and aftermath to 10/16/24 was and is about. At this point in 'The Big Gay War', (Narnia bets that the old timers will appreciate that nostalgic rallying call), the fandom's opponents have decided to go scorched-earth. The "Last of Us" is, after all, a post-apocalyptic world that collapses before it can be rebuilt. The primary conflict is among humans and the overarching theme is about survival. The flesh-eating Zombies in this scenario are the powerbrokers and gatekeepers in the media and the music industries. Oh, and a main character in the TV series shockingly died this season as well. Sound familiar?

Strategically, TPTB applied a flanking maneuver last October and struck first at what they perceived to be the least threatening (less visible) part of 1D's hiatus fandoms: the Ziam supporters. Long-time advocates of the second couple in One Direction, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik (aka, The Quiet Ones). In 2025, this means that only one LGBTQ+ fandom remains within the One Direction family. The one segment that has always been the most intractable and the most publicly well-known: the Larries.

It is no coincidence that when the social media onslaught happened on Friday, 'Larrie Mass Extinction' was the term being used. And this particular account (now terminated), seemed to have accidentally provided more information that they intended. 

Think about it. 

Who is "we"? And why do they want a Larries mass extinction before 2026.  Of course, we could just ignore the sentiment and brush the tweet off as a slip of the "tongue". But, Narnia learned a long time ago, that would be ill advised. Apparently, there are forces involved with this coordinated stunt (remember, it's all planned) that have designated 2025 as the year to destroy Louis and Harry's loyal fanbase, in the aftermath of October 16, 2024. 

And true to his character and his bravery, Zayn has just stepped forward and said, "Not on my watch."  In fact, what's happening right now is eerily similar to the chaos of 2015. Right before Babygate hit the 1D fandom like a sack of bricks to the side of the head on July 14. Zayn was not around during that time to provide any helpful forewarnings regarding the mess created by TPTB to split the fandom and "prove" that all those gay rumors were just fangirl delusions.  But Zayn is here now and we love him for stepping forward as part of the greatest team the world has ever seen. 

Don't forget that Zara McDermott and Sam Thompson (along with his UK Reality TV personality sister, Louise) are all represented by Insanity Talent Management whose Record Label is independently owned under a long-term frontline label partnership with Sony Music UK.  Bingo!  Let's see. We now have a direct connection between McDermott and Sam Thompson AND Rob and Howard Stringer & Simon Cowell.  Never mind that Cowell is one of the most influential power brokers in the UK Reality TV market (e.g., "Love Island").

In fact, back in 2013, the sister of Sam Thompson was paired with Niall, with flashy headline rumors spread by one of Sony/Cowell's favorite go to tabloids, Daily Mail, "exposing" their "secretive" illicit evening together. So Cowell and Sony are very familiar with reality star, Sam Thompson. Fast forward to 2025, and now Louis is being paired with Thompson's ex from out of nowhere. What a small, small world. So organic. So unexpected. So convincing.  /snark 😠

 

Now with Zayn stepping forward today and communicating (via his ballcap) that this is, "The Last of Us", almost like a final stand bugle call, while wearing his Liam necklace, he is asking for all hands on deck.  The guys' message today, is the same as it was in 2015, when they spoke through Rainbow Bondage Bear. We are coming full circle, everyone. This RBB post came the day after the public was informed that "Freddie Reign" had been born. 

January 22, 2016

Louis was confident over a year ago, warning us that something was coming, and that he knew we would be by his, and by extension, Harry's side, no matter what. 

                                            Louis in Sydney, Australia on February 2, 2024

Now we must live up to their trust in us and be there for them. Always remember that TPTB do not view Larries as fans, or even human beings. They view Larries as witnesses to their years of abuses and corrupt business practices. Never forget that witnesses are dangerous to wrongdoers and scoundrels.

Given this high stakes chess game, prioritize resiliency because something most of this fandom has never seen before is coming. Something designed to break us once and for all. Be calm (take a break if necessary), be rested, moisturized and, most importantly, prepared for battle. Come what may, we are all in this together. Anarchy is coming.

Louis' new Anarchy Tattoo, 11.18.23

We go on go

ADDENDUM: Narnia is fully aware that @thelondonbaker baked and delivered a The Last of Us themed birthday cake to Zayn on January 12 and that video footage of the zombie-like confectionary appeared as an Instagram story on his social media. We also know that the HBO series concluded its second season last night on May 25th. What Narnia also knows is that all members of One Direction are experts when it comes to the artform of plausible deniability. Zayn demonstrated his ability to once again walk through the raindrops by pairing his apocalyptic messaging with that red and yellow jeweled Liam necklace. Moreover, Louis quickly liking Zayn's post, and Zayn's follow back, also indicates a subtextual meaning far beyond the mere airing of a TV show. 

Sources:  Tumblr, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Daily Mail, The Last of Us, The Independent

Our Playlist:  Fireproof - One Direction

                      Through the Dark - One Direction

                      Shining Light - Annie Lennox