Zayn Malik‘s departure from One Direction in 2015 made headlines and left fans shocked. Initially, Zayn cited stress and a desire for a normal life as the reasons behind his exit. However, in a recent interview with Alexander Cooper on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Zayn revealed that there was more to the story. He confessed that the members of the boy band were “sick of each other,” and he took the initiative to leave because he selfishly wanted to be the first to pursue a solo career.
This interview marked the first official one Zayn had done in six years. During the hour-long conversation, he discussed his new life in Philadelphia, his music, and, of course, One Direction. Zayn admitted that there were politics and contractual issues within the group, and he sensed that something was amiss. So, he decided to get ahead of the situation and make a strategic career move. He wanted to be the first to break away and create his own music. Zayn emphasized that he is serious and competitive when it comes to his music and business.
Zayn also acknowledged the strain on the group dynamic at that point. After spending every day together for five years, they grew tired of each other. Despite this, he looks back on their shared experiences with fondness, now that some time has passed since his departure.
While these revelations may come as a surprise to some, there have been hints over the years that Zayn’s final months with One Direction were challenging. In previous interviews, he mentioned not making any friends within the band and referred to the group as a “machine.” Liam Payne, another former band member, also suggested a strained dynamic, sharing that a member once threw him against a wall and that the later years became toxic. In contrast, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan have offered more diplomatic comments on the matter.
During the podcast interview, Zayn briefly addressed the allegations that he struck Gigi Hadid‘s mother, Yolanda, in 2021. While he didn’t directly comment on the incident, he stated that the matter had been resolved privately among the involved parties. Zayn chose not to bring attention to the situation, as he wanted to avoid a negative public narrative that his daughter might come across in the future. He believes he handled the situation amicably and respectfully.
Currently, Zayn is preparing for a major music comeback, with his new single “Love Like This” set to be released on July 21. This will be his first release since 2021, following his last album, Icarus Falls, in 2018. Zayn teased that his upcoming album will have a different sound and will incorporate real-life experiences, including references to his daughter.
