Zayn Malik is ‘happier’ after One Direction — but he still has one big regret with band
Zayn Malik has a major regret from his time in One Direction.
The British singer-songwriter, 31, admitted on the “Zach Sang Show” last week that he wishes he had appreciated his experience in the former boy band more when he was a member.
“The main thing that I always feel bad about when I look back over my life is not enjoying the band enough,” Malik said. “I feel like I just took things too seriously, you know?”
“I’m grateful that I’m able to be happier now,” he continued. “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.”
Malik quit One Direction in 2015. The rest of the band — Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson — went on an indefinite hiatus as a group the following year and all pursued solo careers.
During the interview, Malik explained that he “didn’t understand the importance of just trying to be happy” when he was in the boy band.
“I had this, like, teen angst thing going on — chip on my shoulder,” he shared. “I’m like, ‘It’s really cool to be moody as f**k all the time.’ It’s not. You’re just a loser. Let’s be honest, you know what I mean?”
“You should be a nice person,” Malik noted. “You should be somebody that people want to be around and enjoy being in your presence, and you should bring light to peoples’ day instead of being this f***ng negative cloud of energy.”
After reflecting on his One Direction days, the “Pillowtalk” singer said that he’s “happier” now thanks to his 3-year-old daughter Khai, whom he shares with his ex Gigi Hadid.
“I have so much love in me that I didn’t have before she was born,” Malik said. “She laughs all day. She wants to do the silliest things, and she gains so much excitement from it, you know? She just has a whole fresh perspective on life.”
One Direction formed under the leadership of Simon Cowell on the UK version of “The X-Factor” in 2010. All five members, including Malik, were teenagers when the group came together.
One Direction became one of the best-selling boy bands of all time before they disbanded.
Malik cited “stress” after leaving the group’s world tour in March 2015.
“My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined,” he said in a statement at the time. “But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I’d like to [apologize] to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart.”
He also said that his reason for leaving the group was “because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight.”
Malik released three solo albums after leaving One Direction. His fourth solo album, “Room Under the Stairs,” releases May 17.
