Are rumors of a One Direction split true? If Simon Cowell, the boy band's mentor, is to be taken seriously, then it does seem that way.

In his most recent interview, Cowell revealed that One Direction might be ready "to take some time off" and be "apart" for a while.

The 55-year-old Cowell apparently said that in light of Louis Tomlinson's baby surprised and Zayn Malik's departure from the band, some time apart just might be what the doctor ordered for the boys of 1D.

"In terms of the band, they've got enough hits now they can take some time off and do some other stuff they want to do," said Cowell in an exclusive interview with The Sun. "Then I hope they'll have a little bit of time apart and want to get back together again. It's a fun job, but it's absolutely their decision."

According to fans, Cowell does drive home a point. Currently, the boys are finishing off their "On the Road Again" tour while working on their fifth album. With their hectic schedule, a break just might do them some good, Hollywood Life pointed out.

Perhaps fans would be able to accept a One Direction split as long as the boys get back together. The four remaining members - Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, all 21-year-olds, and Tomlinson, 23 - have all been shaken by several life-defining moments.

Tomlinson is expecting his first child with Briana Jungwirth, Payne has apparently gotten engaged to girlfriend Sophia Smith on July 18 and Styles is reportedly contemplating on going solo.

According to Hollywood Take, Styles gave vague answers when Ryan Seacrest asked him about going solo in June.

"We have the album and the tour that we're working on right now," Styles told Seacrest. "And I think when you have so many goals that you feel you have to achieve, it's hard to see past those."

"I think it's important to focus on what's going on and don't lose track," he added. "We're all working toward the same thing right now, and I don't think we're thinking much past that."

Styles' decision to go solo was something Lance Bass alluded to back in April. "Harry Styles has been ready to go solo for many months," Bass said, as quoted by the source cited above. "In fact, he's been recording solo, he was about to leave."

Of course, another reason why a One Direction split could be imminent is because the group hasn't been raking in as much money as they used to. "Four" opened with only 387,000 albums sold in its first week of release compared to "Midnight Memories'" 546,000 sold in its first week in 2013.