Zayn Malik’s announcement about leaving One Direction rattled fans all over the world, but it was equally as shocking for the band’s friends and colleagues. Nick Jonas has already shared his positive opinion about Zayn’s decision, but there’s one group of guys we were especially eager to hear from: their former tourmates 5 Seconds of Summer.

MTV News caught up with 5SOS backstage at their rehearsal for the Kids Choice Awards in Los Angeles and asked them how they reacted to the news that Zayn was leaving 1D for good.

Exclusive: The guys of 5 Seconds of Summer react to Zayn Malik leaving One Direction

Posted by MTV on Saturday, March 28, 2015

“Oh man, I heard about that and I kind of… I was at rehearsal and I was looking at these dudes and I’d be just devastated if someone left our band, you know?” Ashton Irwin said. “I can’t imagine how the other dudes feel.”

The two bands have been close for a long time now — 5SOS opened for One Direction on both their Take Me Home Tour and Where We Are Tour, plus a couple of dates earlier this year on 1D’s On The Road Again tour.

After spending so much time with one another and forming close bonds (that even extend into business partnerships), it’s totally understandable why 5SOS would be as gutted about Zayn as we all are.

However, the Aussies sweetly added that they’re thinking of Zayn and only want to see him succeed.

“I wish him all the best, if that’s the choice he wanted to make,” Ashton continued. “So yeah, I hope everything goes well.”