“It’s a big step but I’m ready”: Former One Direction Star Zayn Malik is About to Hit a Colossal Career Milestone That Made Harry Styles an Icon
British singer-songwriter Zayn Malik auditioned for The X Factor as a solo contestant back in 2010. The singer, after being eliminated, was brought back on the show to form the boy band One Direction alongside Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, and Niall Horan. One Direction became one of the biggest and best-selling boy bands of all time, but in 2015, Malik decided to leave the band to continue his career as a solo artist.
Zayn Malik released his first solo album, Mind of Mine, in 2016, followed by his second album, Icarus Falls, in 2018, and Nobody Is Listening in 2021. Malik’s fourth album, Room Under the Stairs, was released in May 2024. The singer, who has collaborated with Taylor Swift, Sia, Nick Minaj, and more, is one of the most influential artists in the industry. In a recent interview, Zayn Malik talked about his probable world tour.
Former One Direction star Zayn Malik addresses his probable world tour
In a recent cover story for Harper’s Bazaar India, Zayn Malik was asked about his fourth studio album, Room Under the Stairs, which is a perfect blend of R&B with Americana and folk music. Malik decided to pay homage to his Pakistani roots via his fourth album, and the result was that the album debuted at number 3 on the UK Albums Chart. Talking about how working on the album under a new label helped him take a more creative lead, Zayn Malik said,
It started when I wrote ‘Alienated’, about six years ago. I wrote something I didn’t know I had in me. Once I unlocked that potential and realized I liked where the sound was headed, I wanted to create more. I think my daily environment helped me shape the music I created and made it easy to embrace.
During the conversation, Malik noted that he realized that his relationship with his fans is ever-changing for the better, as is every relationship in his life. He has been more active on social media, giving his fans a little sneak peek into his life. Malik acknowledges that he wouldn’t be where he is today if not for fans.
The success of the album led to Zayn Malik holding his first-ever gig in London’s Shepherd’s Bush Empire to perform the songs from Room Under the Stairs. It is considered a milestone as it was the first-ever gig he hosted after he departed from One Direction in 2015. Talking about his probable world tour, like his former member Harry Styles, Malik said,
I think my next goal, both personally and professionally, is to tour again and have a good balance between being on the road and at home. I have never done a solo tour, and it’s a big step, but I’m ready, and I am thankful everyone has been so patient. It’s time!
Harry Styles’ second concert tour, Love on Tour, was one of the biggest and most celebrated, with critics appreciating the performances by the artist in addition to his energy and connection with the audience. At the time, Love on Tour was named the eighth-most-attended tour ever.
Zayn Malik shares about his life as a father to Khai
During the conversation with Harper’s Bazaar India, former One Direction singer who shares a 3-year-old daughter, Khai, with ex-girlfriend and model Gigi Hadid, talks about what she thinks when she hears songs.
The singer mentioned that not only has his daughter started to remember the lyrics of the song, but she also has questions. Malik noted that ever since Khai learned that her father is a singer, the little one goes on to ask people whenever any song is played, ‘Is my baba singing?’ Zayn Malik further says,
Being a father has only inspired me and made me a better human. My daughter is my whole life and has given me purpose.
This is not the first time Malik has addressed how Khai loves music. Upon his appearance on The Zach Sang Show in May, he added,
She’s not expert-level, but she’s got a bit of rhythm when she’s hitting the drums and stuff. You can tell that she could definitely develop that into something. Her mom was actually really good at Guitar Hero on the drums, and I was like, ‘May she get that from her mom’. Cause I was diabolical at it, and G used to beat me all the time. I’m the musician, and she beat me at this game.
Malik and Hadid are very private about their daughter, and despite following a messy split, they have been working to maintain a balance for their daughter. The singer likes to keep his daughter close to nature and teach her to be grounded. Gigi Hadid also at times shares a few snippets from her life with her daughter without revealing her face.
