One Direction's Zayn Malik Debuts Blond Streaks At London Closing Ceremony, Twitter Erupts

You might have thought that the era of the boy band died with the Backstreet Boys, but the Olympics Closing Ceremonies proved that cheesy, poppy music is alive and well when British-Irish boy band One Direction performed in the same night as The Who, George Michael, Nick Mason of Pink Floyd, the Pet Shop Boys, a not-quite holographic image of Freddie Mercury, ditto of John Lennon, and throwback band the Spice Girls.

One Direction, consisting of members Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, who were discovered by Simon Cowell on Britain's The X Factor, performed their "What Makes You Beautiful" for the billion viewers across the world, arriving on the back of a lorry during the closing ceremonies and wearing their trademark skinny slacks, tight, collared shirts and Converse sneakers.

The talk of the night, evening, however, was not One Direction's performance, but the new 'do of Malik, who spiced things up with a few blonde streaks under his hat. What a ruckus a little bleach can make when you've otherwise got your look down to a science. Twitter exploded with One Direction followers' reactions to Malik's radical fashion choice. "Zayn Malik looked perf at the closing ceremony tonight tho omg his highlights in his hair just o m g," tweeted one follower, while one young fan was actually moved to tears. "@zaynmalik forever crying because the blonde in your hair looks so freaking perfect."

For more like this:

Spice Girls Reunite, Announce Musical

Spice Girls Reunite At London 2012 Closing Ceremony

London 2012 Closing Ceremony Features UK Talent From Naomi Campbell To George Michael

SPOILERS: 2012 London Olympic Closing Ceremonies Will Rock You

'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius Still A Hero Despite Not Qualifying For Olympic Finals

U.S. Sprinter Sanya Richards-Ross Finally Gets Her Olympic Gold

2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremonies Start With A Bang

SPOILERS: 2012 London Olympic Opening Ceremonies Kick Off

London 2012 Olympic Games: Opening Ceremony Spoilers

Danny Boyle Delivers Quirky Olympics Opening Ceremony — And Gets Mixed Reviews

Queen Elizabeth's Olympic Stunt Double Calls Experience 'Unsurpassable'