In a recent interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Zayn Malik, the former member of the immensely popular boy band One Direction, opened up about his departure from the group in 2015 and shed light on the motivations behind his decision to embark on a solo career. Zayn’s exit from the band created a pathway for the remaining members, Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne, to explore their individual artistic pursuits. Now, Zayn has shared his perspective, offering fans a deeper understanding of his choice.
Formed in 2010, One Direction was a sensation, delivering chart-topping hits during its peak. However, Zayn’s departure in 2015 marked a turning point for the group. While the remaining four members released one more album that same year, they eventually went on an indefinite hiatus, leaving millions of fans heartbroken. Zayn, on the other hand, ventured into a solo career that proved successful with acclaimed tracks like “Pillowtalk” and “Dusk Till Dawn,” propelling him forward on his musical journey.
During the interview on the Call Her Daddy podcast, Zayn disclosed his reasons for being the first member to leave One Direction. He candidly expressed, “I completely, selfishly wanted to be the first person to go and make my own record, if I’m being completely honest with you. I was like, ‘I’m gonna jump the gun here for the first time.’ I’m a passive dude, but when it comes to my music and my business, I’m serious about it, and I’m competitive. So I wanted to be the first to go and do my own thing.”
Furthermore, Zayn hinted at underlying politics within the band before his departure, stating, “Certain people were doing certain things. Certain people didn’t want to sign contracts. So I knew something was happening [and] I just got ahead of the curve.” His candid remarks shed light on the internal dynamics that influenced his decision to pursue a solo path.
While many of Zayn’s fans applauded his choice and expressed gratitude for him leaving what they perceived as a “mess,” others acknowledged the honest nature of his revelations but highlighted the inconsistent nature of his subsequent success as he decreased his output of new music materials. Zayn’s decision to carve his own path in the music industry remains a pivotal moment in his career, one that continues to shape his artistic journey.