If I’m being completely honest, this time last year I thought I would writing tons of stories about how stupid it was for Zayn Malik to drop out of One Direction, how he made a huge blunder long-term for his career. I did not expect Zayn’s first solo album to actually deliver, and I certainly didn’t expect to actually download “Pillowtalk” and have it as one of my regular workout jams. Zayn’s album has dropped this week, which is why he seems to be on so many magazine covers right now. He covers Complex – go here to see – and this week’s NME Mag. Some highlights from NME:
Deciding to quit 1D all of a sudden: “I called my security and I was like, ‘I need to sort out a plane. I want to go home.’ I don’t know how I knew, but I just did. So I chatted with my cousin. Listened to a few songs. Just waited for my plane to come.”
Whether he’s still close to any of the 1D guys: “I’m still probably the closest to Liam. We talk on the phone. He congratulated me on my single, which was nice. I congratulated him on his Brit Award [the group collected the British Video Award for ‘Drag Me Down’]. It was a good chat. We haven’t met up in a long time so we want to meet up… I tried to have contact but nobody’s reached out. So… whatever.”
Stepping back from the machine: “You can be in the eye of it if you choose to be or you can let it overwhelm you. See, I’ve kept a bit of my sanity, I know how the media works. Journos gotta earn their money. Paps have got to earn their money. I think that’s why it came across as being mysterious or detached. I just didn’t want to get caught up in something that wasn’t real.”
Whether he knew that 1D had already peaked: “I’m not saying that. But if I did then f–k me, I’ve got a great brain.”
He sounds less like a moody little a—hole and more like someone whose success has been a maturation process. It must be comforting for him to know that he actually was right, he needed to get out and he needed to succeed on his own terms, making his own kind of music. And it worked. I also like this: “I know how the media works. Journos gotta earn their money. Paps have got to earn their money.” Good. I wish more people would acknowledge the celebrity ecosystem.
Photos courtesy of NME.
That was surprisingly refreshing. I’ve always assumed this kid was a Justin Bieber type — I’m an oldie who sees all boy banders as a single, bratty, borg-like entity. But he seems pretty grounded and chill — dare I say, focused…
Sorry, boy banders, for being so judgy.
I’m tired of the face touching poses these young ones do. And the weird Beiber/Jayden Smith eye brow raise.
I like that he isn’t whining about fame and how it works. It gets old when stars complain about paps and the press like they don’t understand it’s a mutually beneficial relationship and one cannot survive without the other. I also think he was smart to breakout first and distance himself from 1D.
Pillowtalk isn’t my musical taste but I think he made a good album for his fans and to bring in some adults that he will need for career longevity. Teen girls grow up and then aren’t so rabid about their teen idols anymore and he seems to have understood that.
He pulled a Timberlake and good for him. Hope he doesn’t turn out like him though.
The album isn’t out yet.
But seriously, I’m looking forward to it.
Me too oddly. I think he has shown he has some talent. My mistake about the album greenie thanks for the correction.
Hes a good singer and while i don’t think what i heard so far is groundbreaking, i find it interesting that hes the sole executive producer on the CD. Looking at the people hes chosen with i would say he has good taste and has a good idea about where he wants to go. Especially the stuff he did with Malay is very good.
I don’t know, he still could have held out until the end of the tour. Of course the rest of the band isn’t talking to him yet, they’re still probably mad at him. He’s only 23, he still had loads of time to be solo after one d broke up.
I admire him for putting his mental health first. Would a total break down have been better? Sometimes you just have to put yourself first and that’s OK.
Zayn and Jaden Smith. i wish I could slap that stupid brow off their faces.
Did we ever find out if that face tattoo was real?
It wasn’t real.
Man, I came here just to look at the pics because I think this dude is pretty.
So imagine my disappoinment to see these Bieber-esque poses he’s got going on –takes the hot right out of him. Ugh.
look at these instead Kitten ; )
http://uk.complex.com/music/zayn-interview-2016-cover-story
Thank you for this, Leah. Man, he is so SO gorgeous.
When I was 21, he’d be just the type of guy I would be obsessed with…
Yes! He is very attractive. I am slightly skeezed out with myself since I’m 31, but damn, I love looking at him 🙂
I mean seriously that face is just flawless.
I’m 37 so…yeah, Shame Corner.
He’s stunningly beautiful, wish guys like him were more popular in this site. Too many pale posh boys. Let get some brown working class boys sometimes!
I actually agree with him. Celebrities and paparazzi have a mutually beneficial relationship and need each other. That being said, some do sometimes take it too far. As far as Zayn leaving 1D, it was the smartest decision for him. I absolutely love Pillowtalk and I really enjoy his voice. I just might buy his entire album. You’re next, Harry 😉
Frankly, I’m OBSESSED with his Music and Hair STILL, i’m telling ya’ll the music delivers, Like I Would is totally “sex jams playlist” material
I’m too old to but I’m constantly texting my gfs pics of this kid LOL a bunch of 30 year old holding convos about this youth ….smdh
I know nothing about his music but DAMN.
How old is he exactly?
He has a kind of sexiness that transcends age.
(…and I’m pretty sure that’s what midlife crisis guys say about their 23-year-old girlfriends…)
I hate you for making me research this but yes, we are the old dudes that have the 23 year old lust interest…. he is 23 🙁
IDC IDC YOLO
Don’t worry ladies,hes trying to shed that boyband image isn’t he so he probably would love that older ladies fancy him 😀
@kitten do you like R&B if you do check him out on Spotify.
This song is my jam right now
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FIrXpp_Nlt4
Well 23 just happens to be the age I like for my pool boys so we’re good.
Thanks, Jessie. I’ll listen to this when I get out of here..
I like his music, he’s talented.. And It doesn’t hurt that the pretty is strong in that one.
@kaiser
There as an interesting article about him in the New York Times that you should have a look at, it speaks on him from a POC in a boyband point of view.
I don’t have stake in 1D at all but I wouldn’t blame the guys for not talking to him. Its not like he talked to them before he up and left with no word. If you were friends a heads up probably would’ve gone a long way. I’m glad dumping his old life (band and fiancee) is working for him but karma is something
Either way other than Pillowtalk nothing else he’s release has been good or innovative to me. I’ll see what the album sounds like
But where they really close friends? It’s a boyband put together on a talent show were talking about here. As a POC I side eye them for never speaking out on the racism and islamophobia he was subjected too both by media and their own fans. I imagine he felt increasingly isolated musically and personally, both.
” other than Pillowtalk nothing he’s release has been good or innovative to me”.
Disagree, befour is much more innovative than Pillowtalk. Like I would is a bop.
Zayn has always been close to Liam and at one time he was also close with Niall. I do believe that all the guys grew to be great friends but Zayn became more unhappy as time went on and it was constant touring, touring, touring.
He didn’t lie.
I hate the cover and his new haircut, as for the rest I don’t care.
Love him, love him, love him. Always have. He was my fav ID from the start and I am so happy that he has found success. I’m old enough to be his mom (how depressing) but damn! the boy is absolutely beautiful!
+ 1000000000
Uhh yeah, still think he’s a douche.
Better him than Harry and his Dadrock. And .. Yeah he’s gorgeous.
I knew he would do well as a solo artist for two reasons, he can actually sing, and he is so damn good looking.
I am surprised at how much I like his music. Really loving pillowtalk might download the album.
I think most of us were surprised at how well he’s managed his career post-1D, so…maybe he was right in that leaving was the best choice. Maybe it was what he needed. *shrugs* It’s not like his band mates are hurting for money in his absence, and the last album sold pretty well.
(I have to add that younger men don’t generally do it for me, but he is a very pretty man. I’m surprised Harry Styles gets touted as the “hot guy” of the band.)
I think what I’ve heard of his solo album sounds good, but I wish he’d stop moaning about how one direction held him back in other interviews. He was apparently happy enough to get the money from it…
Also, the way he so “wanted” to be with Perrie and then dumped her via text once his solo career was set was cold.