In a reflective moment, Zayn Malik has recently stated that he believes he “took things too seriously” during his time as a member of the global sensation One Direction. This sentiment comes after years of navigating the complexities of fame, his departure from the band in 2015, and his subsequent solo career.
Speaking in a recent interview on the Zach Sang Show in May 2024, Zayn looked back on his time with Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson with a new perspective. He admitted that his younger self had a different outlook on the experience.
“The main thing that I always feel bad about when I look back over my life is not enjoying the band enough,” Zayn confessed. He elaborated on this, saying, “I feel like I just took things too seriously, you know? I’m grateful that I’m able to be happier now. 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, who was just 17 when One Direction was formed on the UK’s X Factor in 2010, explained that his younger mindset was perhaps clouded by a sense of teenage angst. “I had this, like, teen angst thing going on — chip on my shoulder,” he said. “I’m like, ‘It’s really cool to be moody as f*** all the time….’ It’s not. Like, you’re just a loser. Let’s be honest, you know what I mean?”
He further reflected on the importance of positivity and being someone others enjoy being around. “You should be a nice person. 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***ing negative cloud of energy,” Zayn stated.
This reflection comes at a time when Zayn has been more open about his experiences in One Direction and his personal growth since then. He has also credited his daughter, Khai, whom he shares with ex-partner Gigi Hadid, for bringing more joy and a positive outlook to his life.
While Zayn’s departure from One Direction was a significant moment that shocked fans at the time, his recent comments suggest a level of maturity and a changed perspective on his past. He acknowledges the missed opportunities for enjoyment during that intense period of his life and expresses gratitude for his current state of happiness and a more positive way of looking at the world.