Zayn Malik reflects on his time in One Direction, expressing regret over his past “teen angst” behavior while part of the band.
Zayn Malik, the British singer who was the first to leave the X-Factor boy band One Direction in 2015, has opened up about his time in the band. In a recent interview, he expressed regret over his “teen angst” and admitted that he “didn’t understand the importance of just trying to be happy.”
Zayn Malik was only 17 when he, along with Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson, were catapulted into the limelight. Speaking about his upcoming album, “Room Under The Stairs,” on the Zach Sang Show, he reflected on his past experiences. He said, “The main thing that I always feel bad about when I look back over my life is not enjoying the band enough.”
He confessed that he took things too seriously during his time in the band. However, he expressed gratitude for being able to be happier now and enjoy things more. He said, “I can actually enjoy things and own my own perspective a bit, you know? Like, glass half full versus it being half empty. That’s my choice.”
Zayn Malik also admitted to having a “teen angst thing going on” and a chip on his shoulder. He said, “It’s really cool to be moody as f**k all the time….’ It’s not. Like, you’re just a loser. Let’s be honest, you know what I mean?” He emphasized the importance of being a nice person and someone that people want to be around, rather than being a “negative cloud of energy.”
In addition to discussing his past, Malik also spoke about his daughter Khai, whom he co-parents with his ex, Gigi Hadid. He shared that she brought him “a whole fresh perspective on life.” He said, “She just makes me happier — I have so much love in me that I didn’t have before she was born.” He added that she laughs all day and gains so much excitement from doing the silliest things.
This candid reflection from Malik provides a glimpse into his journey from his time in One Direction to his current life as a solo artist and a father. It highlights the personal growth he has experienced and the lessons he has learned along the way.