British Singer Zayn Malik Breaks Silence on Departure From Pop Boy Band One Direction
- In his first interview in nearly six years, he talked about his decision to leave the group, what life has been like since then and his new single.
Zayn Malik made quite a sensation when he left the pop boy band One Direction in 2015. The British singer has finally broken the silence and revealed the reason for his exit. Speaking to Alex Cooper on her podcast “Call Her Daddy,” he said although the group was at the peak of its success, it had run its course. In his first interview in nearly six years, he talked about his decision to leave the group, what life has been like since then and his new single. “There were great experiences, I had great times with them, but we’d just run our course,” Malik said of his decision to leave One Direction and its members — Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson — in 2015.
The boy band, assembled through the British musical competition show “The X Factor,” was together for about six years. “It developed a feverish following among its young fans, who were known for their shrieking and devotion to the five members,” according to The New York Times.
Malik was the first to leave the group, ” after it had steadily put out chart-topping songs,” according to The New York Times. The group continued to make music after Malik’s departure, but it officially disbanded in 2016.
The group’s hit song “What Makes You Beautiful” was on Billboard’s Hot 100 list for 34 weeks, peaking at No. 4 in 2012. In 2013, “Story of My Life” had a similar staying power, with 32 weeks, and peaked at No. 6 in 2013. “Best Song Ever,” however, climbed the highest — it reached the No. 2 spot in 2013 and spent 21 weeks on the chart. The group held four world tours, performing in North America, Asia, Europe and South America.
Malik put out his debut solo single “Pillowtalk”in 2015. Since then, he has released three albums, 17 singles, six promotional singles, and 10 music videos. His new single, “Love Like This,” is due to be released on June 21. The new single is his first solo release since his 2021 album “Nobody Is Listening,” Billboard reported, adding that it is also “the first music he’s sharing since departing from RCA Records.”
When with his toddler daughter Khai, the single father spends most of his time in suburban Pennsylvania. “Being out of the public eye also allows for his daughter to live a more private life, should she choose to do so,” he told Cooper. He said he was happy to get away from the bustle of New York City, enjoying a life mostly free from paparazzi and spending many of his days in the studio, writing and making music. “I’m just trying to give her an option,” he said. “If she wants to be away from it, she can be out here.”