Zayn Malik has once again taken the internet by storm, but this time, it wasn’t just his music that caught everyone’s attention. On Friday, the former One Direction star surprised his fans with a fresh look, posting an acapella video of himself singing his track “Shoot At Will” on Instagram. However, it wasn’t just his smooth vocals that stole the show—Malik’s new hairstyle and full beard quickly became the focal point of conversation among his devoted followers.
In the video, the 31-year-old singer showcased his much longer hair, a departure from his usual cropped style that fans have come to know. His new look, with its slightly tousled, boy band-era vibe, brought back memories of his early One Direction days. But it wasn’t just the hair that had fans talking—Malik also sported a full beard, trading in his usual light stubble for a thicker, more rugged appearance.
The reaction was immediate, with fans flooding the comments section to express their admiration. “Give me the haircare routine cause how tf your hair grows that fast,” one fan wrote, marveling at his rapid hair transformation. Another commenter simply couldn’t contain their excitement, writing, “Damn the beard 😭😭😭.” The outpouring of love didn’t stop there, with one fan gushing, “His voice, his hair, his beard, his eyes, his tattoos, I just adore him.”
Malik’s appearance in the video was simple yet striking. Dressed in cream-colored pants and a matching long-sleeve, button-up shirt with rolled-up sleeves, he subtly showcased his tattooed arms while sitting in front of a large boxing painting. As he belted out the song from his upcoming album, Room Under the Stairs, Malik’s serene yet intense aura captivated fans, further heightening their anticipation for his latest musical project.
While Zayn Malik has been relatively quiet on social media in recent years, his new album has given fans a reason to celebrate his return. The “Pillowtalk” singer has rarely made public appearances, preferring a more low-key life on his Pennsylvania farm. This low-profile lifestyle made his recent resurgence all the more exciting for his followers.
Earlier this year, Malik made headlines when he attended Paris Fashion Week in January—his first public appearance in nearly five years. He was spotted sitting front row at the Kenzo runway show alongside fashion heavyweights like Pharrell Williams and former Christian Dior CEO Sidney Toledano, as well as fellow singer Rita Ora. For the occasion, Malik looked sharp in a navy blue patterned tweed suit paired with a white undershirt, left slightly unbuttoned to reveal his tattooed chest and neck. The look was effortlessly cool and served as a reminder of Malik’s status as a style icon.
Later that week, he made another stylish appearance at Loewe’s Men’s Fall/Winter 2024 show and the Valentino Menswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 event, cementing his place as a fashion-forward figure.
Despite his brief reemergence into the spotlight, Malik once again retreated from public view following the promotion of his new album. The British singer has always preferred a quieter, more private life compared to many of his peers, choosing to focus on his family and his farm life. Malik shares a 3-year-old daughter, Khai, with his ex-girlfriend Gigi Hadid. The couple dated on and off for several years before ultimately calling it quits in 2021. While Hadid has since moved on and is rumored to be dating actor Bradley Cooper, Malik has kept a low profile when it comes to his personal life and has not publicly dated anyone since their split.
Although Zayn Malik may not be as omnipresent in the celebrity world as he once was, moments like this remind fans why they fell in love with him in the first place. His latest look—complete with long hair and a full beard—has reignited excitement around his music and public persona, leaving fans eager to see what the next chapter holds for the enigmatic pop star.