Zayn: For the First Time in 6 Years (REVISIT) [VIDEO]

Alex Cooper
What is up, daddy gang? It is your founding father, Alex Cooper, with call her daddy. Hey, Zayn. Welcome to call her daddy. Hey.

I'm so happy that you're here. We have to preface this with. My fans are watching this. Like, where the fuck are you guys? We are in my childhood home, daddy gang.

Okay. Zane and I are in my living room that I grew up in. Zane got here and has had to look at all the embarrassing childhood photos of me. Thank you so much for coming. I've never done embarrassing, embarrassing photos.

Just for the record, what did you say? I didn't see any embarrassing photos. I think you hid them all. Actually, there's a couple. You'll see them on your way out, and then you'll never look at me the same.

I have never done a podcast in my childhood home, so this feels like, a little sentimental. Also, you never really do interviews. I don't? When is the last time you did something like this? I think I did an interview, like, six years ago was the last time I did one.

So we're kind of, like, popping the cherry back off? I think so, yeah, something like that. So you're living in Pennsylvania, and I obviously grew up here. I loved it growing up. It's very family oriented, very suburban.

But I'm curious to know, like, of all the trendy spots that you could have picked, why Pennsylvania? Yeah, it's interesting. A lot of people ask me that, like, they always think it's super random that I live out here. I ended up coming out here with my ex a bit, and I fell in love with it. It was just super calm and chill, like you said, suburban.

Zayn Malik
And I just wanted to take a break from the busy city because I was living in New York for three years at the time, and it just got a bit overwhelming, you know, like, going out of your door to, like, just craziness all the time. So I just wanted a bit more, like, of a surrounding that, like, I'm used to. Like, where I grew up in Bradford, like, in the UK, it's a lot more this kind of pace and vibe. So I feel like I just fit in better around here than I do in the trendy spots, as it were, you know? Yeah, you give trendy vibes, but I think I totally relate to that of, like, sometimes when you get.

I'll take that. Yeah, yeah. I give trendy vibes. You give trendy vibes? Like, look at your outfits.

Alex Cooper
Like, pretty swaggy, but then you're also, like, hanging with the amish folk. So it's like, a good little juxtaposition, Zane. Okay. But what I find interesting is I love that you said, like, you would be in New York City, and I'm assuming you would be going out, and there's paparazzi everywhere taking photos of you. Pennsylvania, there ain't no paparazzi.

Zayn Malik
That's a great thing. Are they finding you or. No, no, there's no. I think there's, like, laws and stuff. They're not allowed to even take photos and certain places.

Alex Cooper
Oh, that's amazing. Okay, the most important question. Have you gone to wawa yet? I have. Wawa's a nighttime lifesaver out here.

I was like, how am I gonna get along with Zane if he hasn't, like, had a love for wawa yet? Do you love Wawa? Yeah. Like, late night studio sessions. There's nothing else open.

Zayn Malik
You have to go to wawa. Get the meatball sub. It is so, so fucking superior. I remember growing up, and my excuse whenever I would want to go, like, meet up with boys would be like, mom. Like, I just want to go get a wawa sub.

Alex Cooper
And she'd be like, you're not choosing. Wawa as your cover up. Yeah.

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Unwarranted. Well, all lowercase. That's shopify.com. Unwell, Fiona. Okay, so I feel like, again, you're kind of this mysterious guy.

Alex Cooper
Zane, we don't really know too much about you. You're kind of under the radar. So can you take me through a typical day in the life of Zayn in Pennsylvania? Like, what are we doing? Make us feel like we're a part of your life.

Zayn Malik
A typical day for me is. It kind of varies. Depends, you know, like, what kind of mood I work up in. But I take it pretty easy. Like, I just now, because obviously, I've got my daughter, like, 50% of the time, it's a balance between the two things.

But when I buy myself, a typical day is I probably wake up around, like, midday, have a shower, eat some food, and then, like, figure out if I'm gonna go to the studio, do some writing, because I've been in, like, writing mode for a long time, just, like, working on my records and stuff. So just. Yeah, just getting into the studio pretty much, and then I'll be there, like, all day until I go to sleep. Then you're going to wawa. And then I go to wawa.

Yeah, that's it. Yeah. And stop off for a sandwich. Are you someone that likes to be alone? I like my own space.

I like to collect my thoughts in, like, a more quiet environment. I feel like when there's a lot of people around, it kind of, like, just gets a bit hectic for me. Yeah, I just. I like to chill by myself from time to time, but I don't mind hanging out with people now, like, on occasion, you know what I'm saying? Like, it has to be the right kind of environment, and I have to, like, wanna be there, you know?

Alex Cooper
No, I get that. I feel like that's also growing up. Like, I was recently talking to some of my audience. I was meeting them in person, and we're like, it's kind of weird when you just start to grow up. You just get more specific with who you want to spend your time with.

I think that's a healthy thing. Also, obviously, you're on a even bigger stage because you were around millions of people in stadiums and tours and everything, but I also think that's kind of relatable of, like, you know what? Sometimes I want to be alone, and then I'll still hang with people, but, like, you gotta be good company. Yeah. I've always thought, like, it would be, you know, a pretty normal reaction to feel that way around so many people.

Zayn Malik
I think anybody who was, like, overwhelmed in that manner would feel a certain type of way about it. I'm definitely learning to manage it a lot better. Like, as I'm getting older, like, it's more of a choice, you know, rather than a hindrance. It's not like I can't do that. It's like, I'd rather prefer not to.

Alex Cooper
Yeah, that makes sense. I own it a bit more. Yeah. You obviously love music, but can you share with us, like, what are some of your other hobbies? What are you passionate about?

What's other than music? Like, my main passion, I think, outside of music, is art. I love to paint and I love to draw. I do a bit of cooking. Kate, tell me one of your dishes.

Come on. I can't cook for shit. I can cook a lot of different things, but I like to cook meat specifically. I have a smoker outside, and I like to smoke lamb, and I cook. I'll do grilled vegetables with it and stuff.

Is this new, or were you always good at cooking? I wasn't always good at cooking. Unfortunately for me. My mum kind of spoilt me as a kid when I was living by myself, like, at 17, there was some botch jobs done for some meals. Yeah, it wasn't great.

Zayn Malik
Some disgusting stuff was going down, for sure. Mac and cheese. Yeah. Horrible. Yeah, just sandwiches, you know, out of, like, crisps.

Alex Cooper
That's kind of nice to be able to know, like, you can cook. You're over there painting, you can sing. Okay, no big deal. Don't keep bragging over there. Wow.

Making us all look bad. Do you have animals? I do, yeah, I've got a lot of animals. I have three cats, three dogs. Do they get along?

Zayn Malik
They're kind of, like, in different places. I have some dogs at one part of my house and the cats in the other. We have three turtles, six chickens. Do you name them all? No, I haven't.

Not this time. I got too attached last time, and it made me really sad. Did the chickens die? Yeah. I took my chicken to the vet to get a scan because something was wrong with her, and the vet laughed at me and said, people don't bring chickens here.

And then they still charged me for an x ray. And then I took my chicken all the way home and cried. She died in my arms. I'm not laughing because it's funny. It is kind of funny, but not because the chicken died.

But it's just funny seeing me take. A chicken to you holding your chicken like this. Yeah. Fully on my lap. Yeah, she died on my lap.

Alex Cooper
So you weren't crazy for going to the vet? No. Yeah, she had something wrong with it. We tried to rescue them. They were gonna be slaughtered, I think, and they had all kinds of things wrong with them.

Zayn Malik
Yeah. But I've got new chickens now, and they're all healthy and stuff, but I didn't name them for that reason. Okay, and what are the names of the cats? Salem Dobby and Vito. Dobby.

Alex Cooper
Is that from Harry Potter? From Harry Potter. He's a sphinx. He's a pink sphinx. Yeah.

Zayn Malik
So he looks a little bit like Dobby.

Alex Cooper
That's so good. You're a Harry Potter fan. My big Harry Potter fan. Zane. I didn't know that about you.

I wouldn't have pegged you as, like, a Harry Potter guy. Yeah. This is, like, really good vibes. It was. It was my thing as a kid.

Yeah, that's really good. Okay, and what are the dogs names? Zion, Zeus, and fompa. Thumper. With a f.

Zayn Malik
With an f? Yeah, Thumper. Thumper. Like Thumper but with an f. How.

Alex Cooper
Did you come up with that? Bambi. Thumper the rabbit. But you wanted an f. Yeah, Thumper thought sounded better.

Yeah.

Zayn Malik
It'S better in my accent. Thumper. Yeah, it does sound pretty good. Something I love to do on call her daddy is like, the reason we all are the way that we are is because of our childhood, where we came from, who we were raised by, our environment growing up. Obviously, you living in Pennsylvania right now is so different from where you grew up in the UK in Bradford, like you described.

Alex Cooper
Can you explain to people that may not be familiar with Bradford, like, what was your upbringing like, and what was that environment like? Where do you want me to start? Just wherever it feels right. Go ahead. Yeah.

Zayn Malik
Bradford's not obviously like Pennsylvania in terms of, you know, like, the wealth and the way that it's like, you know, looked after and taken care of. It's. It's a impoverished community. You know, there's people below working class there that have, you know, a hard environment that they're growing up in. You know, everyone's kind of got some issues going on at home or something's happening.

You know, even if it's on the street or whatever, wherever you go, there's. There's a lot of confliction, you know? So it was very different to, to hear in that sense, for sure. But I'm very grateful for where I grew up because it definitely, like you said, shaped and molded a lot of identity for me. Early on, I was questioned and interrogated about my identity because of my environment.

It's just the way it is. You have to have a good understanding of who you are, and I'm really grateful for that. It helped cement my own identity myself. I think when you talk about, like, people would question your identity, I know your family is not from the UK. Your family is Pakistani.

Alex Cooper
And I'm curious, is that. My father is my mom's English. Okay, so did. Are you saying, like, is that how that was influenced? No, not necessarily.

Zayn Malik
Just in every sense of the word. Like, even, like, your fashion, the clothes you want to wear, the way you want to cut your hair, it was always so something was questioned. You know, if you weren't doing the norm, that was like, that everybody was doing or everyone was following, you know, everyone would wear a certain type of pant or certain type of shoe, and if you weren't dressed that way, you would get questioned about it. You know, like, people would be very, like, in your face and be like, give you shit. So you had to, like, have a bit about you so that you could, you know, know who you were and have a conversation back.

Have a bit of wits about you. As it is, you know, street smarts, for sure. You gotta be able to, like, hold your own. Exactly. Yeah.

Alex Cooper
And when you say people are coming at you, is it more like peer dynamics or is it more like authoritative figures? Yeah, there's a balance, a mix. Sorry, of everything. It's. It depends, you know, there's the peer pressure in schools and stuff, but then it's on the street.

Zayn Malik
If you go out there and stuff, if you're just trying to have a good time, you know, like, it's not as friend friendly fun, you know, it's a bit more, like, irate. There's a bit of. A bit of aggression going on, you know what I mean? Talk to me about where you grew up. Like, are you in an apartment?

Alex Cooper
Are you in a condo? Oh, no, we, I grew up in a terraced house in a rented property. We never owned our own house, so, yeah, it was, it was a small house. There was, like, three bedrooms, kitchen, living room. But the streets, like, are all, like, every house is, like, stuck next to the one next to it.

Zayn Malik
You know what I'm saying? There's no space. You have a garden that's like, enough for maybe a dog to sit in. So, yeah, it's a bit different, for sure. Yeah.

Alex Cooper
So you have three sisters. Okay. And so you are the one boy and three sisters. Yeah. What was it like growing up with all mostly women around you?

Like, how do you think that shaped you? I feel like I learned a lot of things. Like, early on. My sisters are very opinionated. You know, they're very strong characters.

Zayn Malik
And, yeah, I love them. They're great. They were a lot of fun. Yeah, it was always entertaining in our house, for sure. I love, I really love when I meet a guy and you can just tell that he has sisters because you can just tell the way they move around women.

Alex Cooper
You guys learn what a fucking tampon is. Earlier I had to go to the store and buy them. Wow. So you were, like, really supporting that time of the month? Terrified, but supportive.

Okay. Were you reluctant to go to the store and buy? Definitely not. It was just kind of weird, like, when the shopkeeper would ask me, like, why I was buying them and I'm like, obviously I'm not buying them for myself, you know? Like, do you have to ask me that?

Zayn Malik
Like, just let me buy this. You wouldn't stick, like, a couple extra, like, snacks around it? You're just like, tampon. We didn't have money for extra snacks. It was just needs to a main.

Yeah. Zane's like, to, I'll take the supers. These bitches are the other way around. But, yeah, exactly. It was always an awkward conversation, but, yeah, I didn't mind it.

I respect it for your sisters. Okay. To people, obviously that weren't there in your childhood, how would you describe your personality as a kid? Um, my personality as a kid? I think I was a bit of a cheeky.

Cheeky chappie. Yeah. Used to mischievous. Used to get into all kinds of just childish stuff, you know, like climbing in places I shouldn't have been and falling out of trees and smashing windows and stupid things. Yeah.

Oh, with a football. Accidentally, of course, you know? Right. Right. For sure.

Alex Cooper
For sure. So you were getting in trouble a little bit. Just, like, childish stuff. Nothing too serious. Yeah, like climbing trees.

Zayn Malik
Exactly, yeah. Exciting shit. Okay, so you were kind of just, like, doing your thing as a kid. But I also think the way that you're describing the environment that you grew up, was there a way that you could have gone down the wrong path easily because of that environment? It was easy to get wrapped up in the wrong crowd.

Oh, definitely, yeah. I think there was always an opportunity to go and do something that, you know, would have got you in, like, serious trouble. I was really lucky in the sense that, like, my mother and father, like, were super protective of that environment. My dad was always aware of, you know, the things that were out there, and he always explained stuff to me from a young age and kind of kept me away from that, if I'm being honest. And that's where, like, I developed into being a person that likes to be by myself and, like, in my room, like, singing, recording, writing.

I got into, you know, poetry and things like that because I was in my room a lot, like, and I didn't like to be in them kind of environments. It was just a bit too much. You know, I was always a bit more of a reserved kind of guy, a bit, you know, artistic, wanted to do my own thing. I didn't really want to be in that, so my parents did a good job of keeping me away from it, I think. Yeah.

Alex Cooper
Did you get along with kids in school? Were you, like, the cool kid? Were you bullied? Like, what was the vibe? Yeah, I think I got on with pretty much everyone, but I wasn't, like, I was the type of person who only ever had, like, two, three close friends.

Zayn Malik
I didn't have, like, a big group. Like, I knew people. People knew of me. I don't think I was the cool kid, but I wasn't bullied either. Yeah.

Like, if people knew me, they were friendly with me. Yeah. Yeah. I feel like a lot of kids, we always have that, like, memory. Maybe it's financial.

Alex Cooper
Maybe it's something with the parents or the siblings or extended family. Like, of a childhood memory that you remember your family kind of just being, like, stressed or going through something difficult. Kind of. Like, if you could remember kind of a childhood memory that you remember just being, like, stressed about something in your. Life, like, looking back at, like, childhood stresses.

Zayn Malik
Like, I feel like a lot of them were so, like, finicky that it was just probably just some teenage shit, you know? I mean, it wasn't anything important so I don't really look back at things like that in my personality, the way I am. Like, I. I've never really, like, looked back and being like, oh, yeah, this is one thing that, like, kind of was, you know, a stressful thing. I think life is interesting like that.

I think, you know, it depends on what you're going through at that time and how you feel, and then you can reflect on it at a different point and feel completely differently about it. It's so interesting. I have a lot of respect even for you answering it like that because I know that you've been open about, like, at one point your family being on food stamps. And I feel like a lot of people would sit here and that may have been the answer, right? That would have been like, well, fuck.

Alex Cooper
Like, I couldn't even. I didn't know where my next meal was. And you're like, oh, you know, maybe it was childish, like, no big deal. And it's like, that's interesting if you. Yeah, no, and obviously there is.

Zayn Malik
There were some serious things like that for sure, too. But I don't look back at it in terms of a negative light. You know, it all helped to, like, shape and mold who I am and make me grateful for the things that I have now, you know? Yeah. So we are here because you can sing.

Alex Cooper
When did you first realize you were passionate about singing and you could sing? I think I was about 1112. I'd sung a little bit before. Like, I'd done a bit in, like, school choir and stuff. Funny story.

Zayn Malik
I actually fancied, like, these three girls that were in choir and they were triplets. And that's why I. I just was like, I'm gonna be in quiet just so I can hang around these girls. And then it developed from there. When I went into high school, I went to a performing arts college, like, specifically, like, majored in sports and performing arts, and they were doing the school production that year for greets.

And I auditioned and nobody could sing, like, at all, like, in our whole school. And I went and did this, like, singing audition. Everyone was like, whoa, you can sing. And then my music teacher, like, recommended that I get, like, a couple of singing lessons and stuff. And then she said, I think you should go on X Factor.

I think you've got a good chance. And it just kind of went from there. Like, I love that the story started with, you know, there were these three triplets, and it just felt right to join choir. I was like, eight as well, by the way. You're like, I gotta get in that.

Class, spend this time, right. So, like, your natural, just, like, boy interest ended up. You realized something, that you had a true talent. From the triplets to X Factor. You made it.

Alex Cooper
So it's so funny, too, because you say you wouldn't be where you are without your mom because you didn't want to get out of bed the morning that you had the x factor audition and your mom made you go, why did you also not want to go initially? I think it was just nerves. I built it up in my head, and I was like, yo, this is a massive thing. And, yeah, I was like, I don't think I'm gonna go today. And my mom's like, you are going.

Zayn Malik
You're going right now. You're gonna go see what happens. So, yeah, I definitely owe it to her for that, for sure. And so did you, like, practice? You were practicing for it?

Yeah, but I had no idea, no clue. Like, they told us, like, we had to have, like, a backing track, like, a karaoke version. And, like, I was so, like, inexperienced at that time that I didn't even know what that was. So, like, I was just planning on singing a cappella, so I was just gonna do it, like, without anything. And it was so weird for me to adjust to singing on a backing track.

I was like, this is such a weird experience. I think even Simon looked at me a little bit weird, like, when I did the acapella. Cause everybody had backing tracks and stuff, but, yeah. So that probably made you stand out, though. I don't know.

It could have worked either way. Maybe it made me sound really bad, too. No, well, obviously not. Look where you're fucking sitting. Yeah, true.

Alex Cooper
Do you remember what you saying? Yeah, I do. Mario, let me love you. And the reason I said that is because I've seen that performance back a few times and cringed every time I watched it. So, yeah, it's not my best vocal performance, so there's a lot of nerves involved there for sure.

But clearly there was something in there. Zayn. There's some talent. Yeah, there's some potential acapella, and he just nails it. When you look back at that moment, obviously, is it, like, surreal?

Like, if you even had to, like, watch it back, like, is it. Does it even feel like a lifetime ago? Yeah, it does. It feels, like so much longer than it actually was. Cause so much stuff's happened in that time.

Zayn Malik
Yeah, it's very interesting. Very surreal. And I feel all them nerves again. Like, when I watch it, like, I. I feel like I could, like, give myself a hug, you know, and be like, it's okay, bro.

Because I literally am, like, holding onto the mic for dear life. Please, nobody hurt me. It's so good. It's so good. So obviously then, X Factor, everyone, Simon, everyone came to you guys and they had this idea to invent one direction.

Alex Cooper
And then I think people don't. I don't even know, like, did you even meet anyone before they put you guys together? Yeah, we knew each other, like, just from around. Cause we were, like, a similar age and stuff. So naturally you speak to people who like a similar age to you around there and stuff.

Zayn Malik
And we were at boot camp together, and I met Harry on my audition day because we both auditioned in Manchester and we were literally sat next to each other in the audition. Oh, so it was, like, fucking meant to be. He was sat right next to me. We spoke, and I went in and did, like, a producing audition round. And then he.

He went in straight after me and we spoke a little bit there. Yeah. So you weren't complete strangers. That's good to know because I didn't know if they, like, just threw you all together. And then you were like, hey, you.

Said it very well. Obviously, you know, you don't see all behind the scenes and stuff, but, yeah, you spend a lot of time with the contestants. Okay, got it. Once you started, obviously one direction and you joined one Direction, like, how quickly did your actual life change?

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This episode is brought to you by eBay. You know, real when you get it right, daddy gang, it'll say eBay authenticity guarantee, and you'll feel it. So look for the blue check mark next to that thing you love. And be confident that every inch, stitch, sole, and logo is checked by experts. With eBay authenticity guaranteed, you can trust that feeling of real is always in reach.

So ensure your next purchase is the real deal. Visit ebay.com for terms. Tap the banner to learn more. This episode is brought to you by Shopify. Some things work so well.

It's basically magic. Like my favorite highlighters that I'm like, wow, how did you all suddenly make me look glowing? And you know what else really works, daddy gang? Shopify. It is a global commerce platform that helps you sell.

I've seen a big difference in my online merch sales. They are especially good at turning browsers into buyers. I can see someone that's been on the site but didn't check out or someone that checked out and then is revisiting the site. Like, if you want to grow your business, daddy gang, sign up for a $1 per month trial period@shopify.com. Unwell.

All lowercase. That's shopify.com unwell. Once you started, obviously one Direction and you joined one Direction, like, how quickly did your actual life change? Was it overnight, immediate, or was it a little bit gradual? It was kind of strange.

Zayn Malik
The, like, visual evidence of life changing. Like, people being outside of the studio and stuff was, like, when we were on the live shows, we started to get, like, a fan base and an audience, and you could see that people were paying interest in us. So, yeah, from that point on, like, it was kind of a bit crazy. Like, what? Were you even able to comprehend it?

Not really. I don't think comprehended it at all. Like, I think it's just a rush. You know, it was, like, just fun. And then the repetitive fun over and over again eventually is gonna take its toll, you know?

I mean, so then you look at a certain way when you're in that and, like, it feels overbearing. Now I look back at it like, it was a rush. You know, it was, it was fun, and it was something that was amazing. Like, so of course I wasn't gonna understand it. It's not something I expected in my life, but it was definitely fun.

For sure. Yeah. Cause it is so interesting. I think people forget, like, you were 17 at the time. Yeah, 17, yeah.

Alex Cooper
Like, my brother lived in this house at 17 and was, like, picking his nose and going to wawa and, like, trying to fucking get girls to pay attention to him. And you are, like, all of a sudden, overnight, become one of the biggest stars in the world. Can you help us commoners over here, Zane. Commoners. Commoners.

Can you help us understand, like, what skyrocketing to that level of fame can do to you as an individual when you're, like, by yourself at night laying in bed, trying to understand, like, what is happening to you and your life. Yeah, you can definitely get into deep places of thought if you really reflect on it in that kind of manner. To be honest with you, I don't think I was even, like, intellectually capable to of do that at that age. You know? Like, I think it took time for me to process them things.

Zayn Malik
I think I've had to, like, process it with an, with an older mind and look at it backwards and be like, yo, this was why this happened, and this is what happened. And, you know, we took off at this point, and this interview made this happen, and then this song made this happen and just decipher it, you know, as, like, facts rather than like in an emotional manner because emotion like just seems to just blur things, you know, so I try not to think about them things on that kind of level. Like, oh, I'm super famous, like I just make music, you know, I love singing and people seem to have an interest in it. Yeah, yeah, a little bit. Just a little bit.

Alex Cooper
No, I almost get what you're saying. Like you kind of have to black it out and just be present because if you stop to think about all of it then it's all gonna come. Exactly, yeah, that's how I deal with, I don't black it out so much but I just don't overthink, you know. Um, it works for me that way I think. Yeah, you just almost have to stay present because it's like what else in.

Zayn Malik
The moment, yeah, just enjoy it. And then like in, you know, ten years time you can look back and be like, this is what happened, like. Now you can look at it in hindsight and be like, if you have. Ten years time, right? Yeah.

Alex Cooper
But you've had time probably now to be like, whoa, in your quiet moments now in life where you can actually sit and dissect things that at 1718 years old again, like you said, I was just having fun, I was just going with it. And also it's not like you were just on this solo tour like you were a part of something. So that also probably affected of like be a good team player, like go with the flow, like do what you gotta do. Obviously your guys fans are insane. They're obsessed, they're still obsessed, they're everywhere.

They love you guys. Can you share any memorable fan moments that you remember to this day that have stuck with you of just anything that happened that you're like, damn. I've probably said this a lot of times but honestly it was one of the craziest and most bizarre moments ever. I remember coming out of studio once in Sweden when we were recording what makes you beautiful and this is before even we dropped our first single and there was like a row of like maybe five, six bins, like trash cans, like outside of the studio and I came out and like every single one of the trash cans opens and there's like three people inside of each train. They tried to like grab me and it was, it was a very memorable moment that was for sure.

Zayn Malik
Yeah, I think I had a mini heart attack. Humans popped out from garbage cans and tried to grab you. It's like a fucking video game, like swallow you into the trash. What? Yeah.

Alex Cooper
Oh, wow. Do you think that in any way. That's dedication, though, right? Into a trash can. Like, Zayn, they were willing to get in the trash bucket for you.

Okay? Motherfucker. They are loyal. They are. Do you think that those kind of moments, though, not that we don't love the fans, we're obsessed, but, like, people being so obsessed with you, like, is there any lingering paranoia from people constantly staring at you and following you?

No. No, not really. I don't have paranoia in that sense. That's good. You sleep well?

Zayn Malik
Yeah, I do. I sleep in Pennsylvania. I can hear the crickets. It's amazing. There's no crazy people out there.

Alex Cooper
No one crazy in Pennsylvania. Oh, that's a big. You're performing in front of massive crowds, and I know you're kind of saying, like, you were in the moment, but, like, were you able to just easily get in front of all these people? Was there no fear or anxiety that came with, like, standing in front of thousands and hundreds of thousands of people when you're on stage? I think there was, but I don't think we had time for it.

Zayn Malik
Like, there was no, like, you have time to have anxiety or be nervous. You're just kind of gonna go do it, you know, like, get on with it. So, yeah, we just. We kind of. I think we just got thrown into the deep end, and we kind of just had to swim, you know, like, and I feel like we did a good job.

Like, in terms of, like, you know, the keeping it together and making the music that we were meant to make. I think I got out the right time. I think if I had done it any longer, it might have affected me a bit more, but I think we did the right amount. You know, I think it's interesting, too, because when you look at bands or even just, like, any brand that has, like, multiple people attached to it, like, everyone loves to put archetypes with people. Like the Spice Girls, for example.

Alex Cooper
Perfect example. You have to label everyone. And so for a boy band, it would be like, the boy next door, like, the bad boy, like the. Like, the brooding one or the funny one. Like, what Persona do you think you.

Zayn Malik
Played this admit make out that I was, like, the brooding, serious one. Yeah, but that wasn't necessarily my personality type. Just. I think it just a marketing scheme. You know, you've got the telly tubbies, you've got Spice Girls, you've got whatever.

Like, it's just a marketing scheme. You know, like, oh, this is this one. So I get it, but I don't think you can define an entire person to one personality trait. You know, we're a little bit more complex than that. Yeah.

I don't know what my trip would have been if I'd have given myself one. It might took a long time to come up with one if I was gonna do that. So I could see why they just said, oh, yeah, you can be the mysterious one. Yeah. It's interesting.

Alex Cooper
I love the Teletubby reference. You're like the Teletubbies. The Spice Girls. One direction. Like the fucking teletubbies.

Zayn Malik
Yeah. I think Simon was behind the teletubbies, too.

Yeah. And the Power Rangers. Yeah. It's so fucking crazy. It's all coming.

Alex Cooper
Fuck. No, but it's interesting. So I was gonna ask, like, I agree. You kind of had this, like, brooding, mysterious personality, and that's why I'm excited to sit down with you today. Because, again, those stereotypes that were put onto people, I'm curious if, first of all, who comes up with that?

Marketing people, I guess. Yeah. It's not like the fans. It's kind of just happens. Well, yeah.

Zayn Malik
And maybe some. Some of the fans kind of, like, naturally say this, too. You know, I mean, from, like, pictures and things like that. Like. So you.

Alex Cooper
Did you agree? So you didn't agree with it, but do you think you leaned into it more, or do you think I just. Had one face to pull, you know, in my. I was doing the Zoolander. Like, that was it, you know, I mean, I was only a young kid.

Zayn Malik
I didn't know what else to do. I get it. If anything, maybe it made it easier because you're like this. This is just my lane. Yeah, this is me.

Just stick with this. They won't ask me too many questions. Do you think you're mysterious? Not really. I just like to just chill, you know?

I like to be in the back a little bit. Yeah. I'm a bit more relaxed. I'm not trying to, like, be in your face, you know? You're not trying to jump in front.

Yeah, exactly. Okay. Well, now you're solo, so you got to jump in front. Okay. We're gonna get there.

Take the reins. I love how you kind of mentioned, you know, you got out at the right time. And I think that you leaving the band obviously shook the fucking world. And everyone was like, zane, like, no. Like, keep it together.

Alex Cooper
But I think what, again, we forget is you're a human being, and you clearly had to take care of your mental health and do what was best for you. Can you. I know you've lightly talked about this. But just so we get a full circle moment can you just take us back to that moment of, like, actually sitting with yourself and knowing it was time to leave? Yeah, I think I'd known for a minute.

Zayn Malik
There was a lot of. Look, I don't want to go into too much detail but there was a lot of politics going on. Certain people were doing certain things. People didn't want to sign contracts. So I knew something was happening.

So I just got ahead of the curve, if I'm being honest with you. I was like, I'm just gonna get out of here. I think this is done. And I just seen it. And 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 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. That was the reason. And then there was obviously underlying issues, like, within our friendships too. We'd been together every day for five years and we got sick of each other. If we're being completely honest, we were close.

You know, we done crazy things with each other and that nobody else in the world will ever understand or have them. Experiences that we've shared with each other. And I look back on it now in a much fonder light than I would have. You know, as I just left. There were great experiences.

I had great times with them. But, yeah, we just run our course. I love that you're saying that too because I think people can relate to that of, like, if you're with the same people 24/7 no shit. And I think I can imagine as you guys were younger everyone was so idealizing this band that you couldn't say that back in the day of, like, yeah, we got fucking sick of each other. It was time to, like, do our own things.

Alex Cooper
And I think that's so okay. But because there was this obsession, obviously, I get it. There's the nostalgia, for sure. Yeah, it's an idea, isn't it? When you watch friends, you don't want Joey cutting off Chandler.

Zayn Malik
You know what I mean? You want these people to be best friends. Like, it's an idea. Yeah. You want them to stay together forever.

Alex Cooper
But I also think it's so healthy because imagine if you hadn't ended it then you really would have fucking hated each other. And being able to go on your own way. Also, someone always has to be the first one to leave. Exactly. And maybe it's the best thing for it, but in the time I can imagine, there's hurt feelings.

Were you afraid of what the world was gonna think of you when you made that decision? I don't think I was afraid, no. I just. The first thing I wanted to do was call my mom. As cheesy as that sounds.

Zayn Malik
I just wanted to call her and be like, is it okay if I come home? Like, is this good? Like, and she was like, yeah. So as soon as she said that, I was like, yeah, I'm good. Like, I'm done.

Like, I'm over this. I don't. I didn't really care about what anybody else thought. That's. That's the type of person I am.

Like, we were talking about earlier, I try to close them opinions off. I'm not really the type of person who defines myself on other people's opinions of myself. If people know me and know me well, they know who I am, and I spend that time on them people and make sure that they looked after and they get that time with me, rather than the people that I'm never necessarily even going to see or have a conversation with, especially if it's a negative remark. Positive remarks are always nice. I don't really pay attention to either of them if I'm being completely honest with you.

Just don't let it get in my head. I think that's so smart, because I think social media, even if you're not famous, everyone is feeding themselves and their worth by what other people are saying about them. And it's like, you good with your family, and, like, I don't mean family by blood. Like, you may not just. Yeah.

People that you have around you. Yeah. Your circle. Yeah. And as long as they're good, then that's all that matters to me.

Alex Cooper
But did you not tell your mom you were doing it? Did not tell my mom I was leaving, yeah, no. It was, like, kind of spurred the moment. Like, I'd not told her before. Like, oh, I'm thinking of leaving.

Zayn Malik
I just called her on that day and that I was leaving and said, I'm coming home. Is it okay? Have you still got a bed for me? She was like, stop. Yeah, man.

So it's lovely. My dad wasn't so cool about it. He was like, no, now you got to stay with Simon. Simon's gonna stay you, right? Like, don't come home.

Stay there. But my mum was like, yeah, you can come home. Please, son. Come home. You know?

Alex Cooper
Oh, my God. That's actually really cute that the first person, like, mom, do you have a bed for me? She's like, let's go. Cause didn't you also buy your mom? One of the first things you did with your success is you bought her a home.

How cool is that, to be able to buy your mom something after everything she's done? Yeah, it's a great feeling. Wild. Okay, so you leave the band and take me to. When you're laying in your mom's home, you're in bed.

What were those next couple weeks like for you, like, mentally and emotionally? It was interesting. I was just trying to get stuff together. Like, I wanted to get, like, a plan of action, you know? I mean, so I was, like, on a bit of a mission.

Zayn Malik
I wasn't there too long. I went home for a little bit, and then I went back to London and started working and stuff. That must have been so stressful, too, because I feel like I guess we see it in various different forms, but, like, if you make a jump, even if someone, like, quits their job, right, they're like, I need to prove to myself and other people that, like, I now can do it. Like. And so did you put pressure on yourself when obviously, you came out being solo?

Alex Cooper
Like, were you fucking nervous? Yeah, for sure. It's a very different experience standing on stage by yourself, too. Like, it's a whole different workload as well. Singing three and a half minutes of a song completely by yourself.

Zayn Malik
Like, when you've got a song divvied between five people, you're singing a little bit of a verse, maybe some ad libs, you know? I preferred the workload. I'm gonna be honest. You're, like, taking a nap in the back. He's like, dang, it's your party.

Yeah. Oh, yeah. Nice one. But, yeah, I just kind of had to, like, make an adjustment. I started practicing a lot more, singing a lot more, and just, like, making sure I could sing for three minutes.

Alex Cooper
Right. You had to be like, I need to get back to my let me love you days where I'm, like, back on X Factor. It's just me. I'm curious, and I don't know. Cause I know you were saying, and I totally respected it, of, like, you were kind of just in this phase of going, going, and you didn't have time to stop.

But when you did go solo and you left, did you have to take any moment to be like, who the fuck am I independent of now? Not being a part of something that I was identified as in media. Um, yeah, definitely. I think that's why, um, I've took the time I have to, like, not even necessarily do interviews and do too much, like, press exposure, because I feel like we were so overexposed in the band that, like, it takes a bit of time for you, naturally, to progress as a human and give something else that is interesting that you have to say. You don't want to be sat there just saying the same shit on repeat, you know, day in, day out.

Zayn Malik
Like, I think there should be a good, healthy break in between, and that was my approach to it, for sure. So feel like, in terms of, you know, figuring out what your identity is as an artist, the only way you're gonna do that is by living. You know, you can't just be on the conveyor belt and expect to have any sort of experience that's new that you're gonna give people. I love that, too, because I feel like people, especially creators, there's such a stress about taking a break, and it doesn't mean you're actually taking a break. You could be working.

You're still working. Yeah, but, like, popping out of, not. Doing it in the spotlight. Yeah. And you did.

Alex Cooper
Were you able to just not have anxiety about it? Cause you're like, I know I'm coming back, but it's like, I gotta just be good on my own shit and not be fulfilling the tabloids and everyone else. Like, how am I on my own right now? Exactly. Yeah, that was the whole thought behind it, for sure.

So you started doing your own solo music, and I remember when you came out, pillow talk, all the good stuff you popped off, and it's, like, really dope to see you coming out with your own sound and creative, and it's you, and that's exciting to know. Like, you are producing this and it's not obviously a no shade to one direction, but, like, you're one of five. Like, you can't really have a full say in shit. Now, this is you when you started on your solo career, like, was there anything that you really wanted to make sure that you could bring to life that maybe you weren't able to when you were in a band? Like, creatively.

Zayn Malik
Creatively. I just wanted to talk about things, you know, that were a bit more real. Like, an authentic to situations I was going through in my life. Like, obviously, certain things that we would talk about in the band was always very, you know, clean cut, like, just glazing over the top, not really any depth or any stories to what's going on. And that was always big thing for me, obviously.

I understand, again, from a marketing scheme that, like, the audience and the fan base we were appealing to at that point was that kind of vibe. So it was never going to work for that kind of audience. But, yeah, I just wanted to show people that had a bit more depth. Yeah, yeah, I get that. Because, like, even earlier, you said, like, you like to write poetry, and I'm like, I can only imagine how much the writing process is therapeutic and you get to infuse parts of yourself and your identity, whereas that just, like, wasn't in the past, which it shouldn't have been.

Alex Cooper
Like, it was a band, it was great, whatever. But now you can actually artistically exercise that part of yourself, which must be. I think it's difficult for people to write songs even from one, one perspective. You know, there was five of us in the room when we used to write sometimes, and it was so hard to get us all to, like, have the same viewpoint and want to talk about the same thing. So in that sense, from a creative point, it is a lot more freeing for me.

Zayn Malik
Like, I can fully get to grips with every part of it. You know, the melody, the story, the production, the emotion, the feeling that I'm trying to convey in each song. So in that sense, it's super liberating. It's cool, because I think you're getting now we're getting to know you a little bit better now that you are doing solo music. But do you think, do you think that the world even, like, slightly knows Zayn yet?

Um, I don't know. Um, I I try to, uh, like, move in a certain way that, you know, hopefully I will still have some jukes. You know, I don't want. I don't want to give everything, only one girl. So, um, if they don't know everything yet, that's okay, but hopefully they get to know me a bit better in this interview.

You know? See, they're getting to see my thought patterns. Still a little mysterious, z. I'm trying. I'm trying.

I'm trying to be an open book. Okay, how about this? Describe yourself in three words. Describe myself in three words.

Well, I'm definitely not going to use mysterious as one of them. I would say I'm a chill, funny, loving guy. All the girls watching this are, like, so nice. That's so nice. What's your favorite thing about yourself?

I don't know. I think. I think I like the fact that I'm pretty witty. Like, I'm pretty smart, like, and I enjoyed that about myself. I think you're good company with yourself.

Yeah. Yeah, I enjoy that. I'm pretty smart and I have little laughs to myself. You know, about that. Um, what's your least favorite thing about yourself?

Um, I'm a bit sensitive sometimes. Yeah, not in a bad way. Yeah, I could take things the wrong way sometimes. I'm definitely working on that. Like, give me an example.

Like, I just, like, tend to, like, if somebody says something to me, like, I'll take it the wrong way if I can really care about their opinion, what they're saying to me. Got it. Yeah. Then you'll get upset. Yeah.

Alex Cooper
I think that's good, though. That means you care, right? Yeah, like I said, with the people that are close to me. Right. Do you think you, at times, can be too caring in moments that you need to learn to, like, I'm learning.

Zayn Malik
To be a bit more tame with it. Yeah, for sure. Well, boundaries. Yeah. No, not boundaries.

Just, like, I'm just learning not to, like, get in my head about certain things, you know, across the board. Like, I. I exercise that well in terms of, like, dealing with the media and things like that, but I don't necessarily do that too well in my personal life. Sometimes I take things out. Yeah.

Alex Cooper
That's good, though. Again, it does mean you care. But I get. Then you're like, yeah, but then I'm over here, like, dying inside. I gotta, like, muster up the courage to go.

Zayn Malik
Then I go write a song. Yeah. Yeah, put that into a song. Okay. Give us one that's, like, really sad so we can.

Oh, I've got a few. I've got a few really sad ones. Yeah. See, this is what we need. Okay?

Alex Cooper
We need some criers. We've got some cry moments. What do you think is the biggest misunderstanding about you? Um, that I'm, like, super serious. Like, that.

Zayn Malik
I, like, just. I'm, like, super stern serious. Yeah. All the time. And I'm not, like, I'm just chill.

I know that, like, a lot of people have, like, high energy personalities, and it's just not the way I am. You know what I'm saying? I'm just a bit more relaxed about things. It's actually nice to be in person with you. Cause I could see in media it could come off.

Alex Cooper
I get it. Serious. You're literally just chilling. Yeah. You're relaxed.

Zayn Malik
I'm just relaxed. You're cozy in your sweater. There's thunder. There's rain. Pennsylvania.

I didn't even have to drive too far came to your mom's house.

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Alex Cooper
Dot let's talk about anxiety. I know that you have lightly talked about it in times, and I just want to talk to you about, like, how anxiety affects your life. What has it done in terms of playing a part in your personal life, in your career? Like, just talk to me about what you're comfortable with. Yeah, so I think we kind of touched on it a bit earlier, like, when we were talking about, you know, like, the nature of our job, you know, like, what we were doing in the band and the situation, being on stage in front of thousands of people, I think it's really normal place to experience anxiety, you know, like, you're gonna go and perform in front of, you know, a lot of different people that you don't know who they are, and it's not a natural thing to do, you know, in terms of everyday life, you don't just talk to thousands of people, you know?

Zayn Malik
So it was something that I had to, you know, learn to adjust. Anxiety for me, I've learned, is a feeling that now has a word, you know? You know? And I feel like for generations, human beings have felt it and not really even been able to put their finger on what it is, but we overcome it, you know? And certain things in life can change your perspective on them things.

And I think for me, like, since I've had my daughter and since she was born, like, the main thing in my mind is, like, trying to be a good example to her. Like, in terms of, you know, I can do things and I can achieve things, and I can overcome things, and you can do this, too. And to let things like, you know, a feeling stop you from doing that after having a child feels like a really small thing. Like, I feel like I've, like, had to step up, you know, as a man or just, you know, as a person and be this example to her that doesn't succumb to these feelings. That's why I'm even doing this interview, you know?

Like, I used to get a lot of anxiety around, like, having a conversation like this, just in this kind of environment. And I want her to be able to look at me and be like, yo, my dad's doing this. You know, he's the man. He's cool. Yeah, he is cool.

He's a cool guy. Yeah. So that's helped me a lot, for sure. That is so fucking cool. To.

Alex Cooper
Obviously, my mom's a psychologist, so I grew up in, I think, mental health was not a conversation for most families, and hopefully it will be. But, like, I've watched so my mom talk to so many people and talk them through how to get over a panic attack, how to get over anxiety, how to not get over it, but, like, manage it, live with it, be okay to go about your everyday life. I think sometimes if you don't have anxiety, people look at people with anxiety, like, just get the fuck over it. And I think it shows up in everyone's lives in such a different ways. And, you know, I don't think that's the way you can look at it.

Zayn Malik
You know, I think everybody's situation is individual. I think it takes an individual experience then to happen for somebody to overcome that, too, you know, totally. If you think about the first time you can recall in your life experiencing anxiety, did you experience anxiety prior to fame? For sure. Like, take me to, like, a moment in your life where you remember being like, wow, I didn't know that was anxiety, but now I do.

I enjoyed it. That was the thing. Yeah. Like, I enjoyed being in that feeling. And they got to a certain point, I think, where it just became too much.

Like, I just was. Was weighing on me that feeling of, like, anticipation and then getting the adrenaline and then the after feeling of that. You know, as a young kid, I loved it. Like, I loved being on stage and I loved performing. It was like a free space for me to go and be a character because it was, you know, I was playing a role in some little school performance.

It was nothing serious. When it became a thing that had a lot of weight behind it in terms of, you know, people watching and stuff. Then you're gonna have. You're gonna have natural feelings of anxiety. Yeah.

Alex Cooper
People staring at you, judging you, writing about you, following you, taking pictures of you. That's a lot. Can you share with us, like, in the heyday of paparazzi and insanity? Like, what would be something that would really trigger your anxiety in those days?

Zayn Malik
Just the idea of, like. Like, not being able to just do normal things, like, to just go outside and, like, walk out onto the street, you know, like, because where we lived, it was kind of a bit crazy. And there's just people always there, like, waiting to take a photo. Photo and stuff, and obviously thinking about having a child and, like, raising her in that environment. It was just very claustrophobic for me.

I didn't want her to have to be, like, exposed to that because she didn't choose it, you know, like, it was a choice that I made. So I was like, we need to get out of here so that she can have some chance of, like, a normal childhood, you know, where there's not cameras flashing in her face constantly. Let's talk about you being a father, because it's really cool to see you talk about anxiety, which, again, I have so much respect for even you being able to talk about it, because I know it's like, you're not that public about your life, and that's something that you live with every day. And to say, like, having a child has helped you overcome something that is, like, in your day to day, that's pretty debilitating in moments. Yeah, but you being famous and having a child, like, deciding to move here, I can imagine you're trying to shield her from this life that you also are still trying to figure out.

Alex Cooper
Like, is it a lot? Um. I feel like, um, there's. There's a. There's a healthy way to do it.

Zayn Malik
You know, I'm not necessarily trying to shield her from it, because she's. She's gonna know, you know, she's gonna get to a certain point, she's gonna have certain level of awareness. She didn't know what's going on. I'm just trying to give her an option, you know? So it's like a choice for her.

Like, if she. She wants to be away from it, she can be out here, like, because I am a famous person and I get sanctuary here, you know, I'm saying. So I feel like she is gonna have a lot of options, and whatever she wants to do in her life, obviously, I'll support her for sure. Okay. How has becoming a dad shifted your priorities in life.

The crazy thing is, obviously, I have a 50% of the time, so that time I have with her is so important because I feel like she's growing up so fast. Like, so when I'm with her, I don't work, like, at all. I just spend a full day with her doing the things that she wants to do. Painting, play, doh, this, that. Go to the park, go to the theme park, go to the zoo.

Like, we just have fun. Like, and I feel like I've, like, re being rekindled my own childhood, like, through her. You know what I'm saying? Like, I feel like we get to certain point in adult life where everything's kind of vague and gray and boring, and she's brought that color back for me, for sure. Yeah, same.

Alex Cooper
What is a dad quality that you've proudly taken on that makes you laugh a little when you think about it, of, like, oh, my gosh, I can't believe I'm doing this. I keep being told. I'm telling dad jokes, and I'm leaning into it. I'm just like, it's okay. It's cool.

Zayn Malik
Like, I'm using, like, christmas cracker jokes and stuff, and it's really funny. Like, people just look at me like I'm a weirder, and I'm like, yeah, I'm a dad, and I'm allowed to tell these jokes. You have to give me a pass. Wow, Zane, I didn't expect that. I'm not gonna lie.

I love a dad joke. You're, like, full dad vibe. That's it. Yeah, I'm going full. I love it.

Alex Cooper
You're like, I'm fully leaning in. There is no stopping me. Okay, well, you haven't cracked one here, so if you want to, you can always give us your best, but, you. Know, when it was held up for another time. What is your favorite thing to do with your daughter?

Zayn Malik
My favorite thing to do, though, is she shows a lot of signs of, like, musical intelligence already. So I just love playing instruments with her and singing with her. Like, I'll sing, and she sings along, and she can do, like, good harmonies and stuff already, and she's only two and a half, and she harmonizes with me. Well, like, finishes notes, and she can hold them for a long time. I'm like, you might have a bit of ability.

You. I'm picturing the two of you playing with play doh, and you start singing, and then your daughter starts singing and. Hit these high notes, like, full settle. Yeah, it's crazy. I'm like, yo, whoa, you're good.

I couldn't do this. I didn't speak till I was three. How the fuck do you sing? Wow. And she remembers, like, full lyrics to songs as well.

Like, every word. Smart. Wow. We got a superstar in our hands. Okay.

Alex Cooper
Okay. It's interesting to hear you say, like, you're singing to her, which, like, I would have loved if my dad could have sang. He can't. Um, what are you singing to her? And, like, what are her favorite songs that you sing?

Zayn Malik
She loves Disney movies, so we sing a lot of Disney songs together. Sing like, you've got a friend in me and stuff. She sings it really cute. Honestly. That's really cute.

Alex Cooper
Thinking about you guys singing that. Um, what qualities of yourself, aside from, like, having that music aspect, more like personality. Like, what qualities do you see from yourself and your daughter? I think she's, she's, she's funny. Like, she's a bit of a cheeky one.

Zayn Malik
Yeah. She likes having a bit of a joke and stuff and, like, laugh a lot. She's, she's chilled, though. But she loves reading as well, which is something I think she definitely took from me. Like, she just has a affinity for words.

Like, she remembers everything. Has becoming a parent changed your relationship with your parents? Definitely, yeah. In a, in a, like, respect where, you know, like, you, you just have so much respect for the things that they've put aside for you. You know, like, when you realize all the sacrifices that you make as a parent.

Like, just to be there and be present with your child. Like, you can't have nothing but respect for that, for sure. I know you said, like, obviously you have her 50% of the time. You want to make the most of these moments. Like, what's something that you guys have done together recently that made you so happy?

Alex Cooper
You had, like, such a great time? We went to Nickelodeon in New Jersey. I know it's, like, super childish, but, like, I had a lot of fun. Yeah, I think I had more fun than so good. How is co parenting going?

Zayn Malik
Co parenting is, is good. Yeah. We have a really good relationship. For Kai, she's the, you know, the main importance. Yeah.

So, yeah, it's going well. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I think Zane's, like, from, from me.

Yeah. Okay, so I want to ask you if I can ask one question just about, like, as delicately as I can go about it. I feel like I wouldn't be doing my job if I didn't ask about the 2021 incident. Okay. I know you can't really speak on it.

Alex Cooper
I think, obviously, as a man, you, like, there was a lot out there said about you, and you basically took the high road and didn't say anything. And you kind of put out that, like, blanket statement of just, like, I want to respect my daughter and not say anything. Exactly. And I can imagine how difficult it is. Kind of, like, almost a culmination of everything we're talking about today of, like, how do you balance when something is out there about you, about your character, that people are reading and speculating and saying things about you?

And how do you decide when to speak up and when to, like, be silent and, like, chill on it and not really go there? Yeah. So for me, like we were talking about earlier, I don't tend to get involved when people say things online, whether it's got something to do with me or whether it doesn't. Because for me, my most valuable thing that I have in life is time. And that takes so much time in a toxic environment to explain yourself to people and justify this.

Zayn Malik
So I just kind of keep to myself. I knew what the situation was. I knew what happened, and the people involved knew what happened to, and that's all I really cared about. If anybody, you know, of a same mind, would look at the situation, I believe that you could respect that. Like, I just didn't want to bring attention to anything.

You know, I just wasn't trying to get into a negative back and. And forth with her, any sort of narrative online where my daughter was gonna look back and read that and be able to read into it, and it would just be something that was. There was no point. I believe I dealt with it in the best way, like, in an amicable, respectful way. And that's all that needs to be said, you know?

Yeah, I feel like it's a lot of negativity. You know, I can only imagine, like, first of all, no fucking family is perfect. And so to be on the stage that you guys are on, I. And like you said, your family issues, you know, like, if something happens in the family, like, I'd rather keep that between the family. You know, you don't need a whole audience of people and opinions.

Cause it's hard enough to manage between two. I more so just also wanted to give you the chance because I think you obviously handled it so amicably. I also think in doing my job, like, this is a podcast where I'm trying to support women, right. And, like, reading headlines. Like, I wanted to hear from you, obviously, because hearing you even today, I don't know if, like, I'm just gonna say what it is.

Alex Cooper
Like, you have said you have 50% custody, and so anything that has, we've all read online, like, well, if that was true, then that would have affected that. So I think it's important to just say, like, me doing my job. I just wanted to clarify, like, it's not like, unless you can correct me, like, you don't have to have people with you while you're with your daughter and, like, visitation rights, like, you have custody of your child. Yeah. So I think it's just important to say because people are reading this shit, being like, oh, my.

Zayn Malik
Yeah, no, for sure. Yeah. And I'm super full on. Yeah. Like, hands on with my child, every chance I can be.

If I could get 60%, I would have it. Okay, let's talk about your music. You're coming back. We're getting a song. Tell me what inspired the song.

Alex Cooper
What can we expect? Give it to us. Yes, I'm working. Well, I've been working on my record for a minute, and I have a single for the summer coming out called love like this. That's like a standalone song.

Zayn Malik
Just a summer jam. It's a good vibe. Like, yeah, it just feels like summer. That's what I think we need. We do need a good summer.

Alex Cooper
We just need a bop. Like, someone asked me recently, like, oh, like, what's the song of summer? And I actually said, you know what? Like, I'm interviewing someone and I know they've a single coming out. I have a feeling that could be the song of summer.

Are you nervous to go on stage, like, alone? I was, yeah. Like, when I first started, like, performing by myself, I was. I was nervous, and I'm still nervous now. Cause it's been a few years that I've been on stage, but I have this, like, energy, too.

Zayn Malik
Like, I feel like I have something to give and I want to get on stage and be there again to feel that. That's one thing I can say, you know? Like, my fan base has always been supportive in that manner. They're always just like, we're here, we've got you. Like, when you're ready, we've got you.

You know? Like, come. We're gonna come and listen to your tune. So, yeah, now I gotta be super thankful for that, and I'm super grateful, and I feel that love, for sure. So I'm ready to prove these people right, you know?

Alex Cooper
Can we expect any music in Spain inspired by your daughter on your records? Yeah, definitely. Yeah, I'm doing a. I'm doing a record I don't think people are really gonna expect. Like, it's a different sound for me, and it's got some, like, more narrative going on, like, real life experiences and stuff.

Zayn Malik
So, yeah, my daughter's mentioned in there a couple of times. Wow. I think that's gonna be so fucking dope to actually hear from you. In long form, essentially, because an album is in long form. Like, we're gonna get to know you more, which is exciting again, because Mister mysterious over there, we're still trying to understand.

Alex Cooper
Zane. Okay. What is something that you want your fans to take away from this interview? I'd like my fans to feel like they got to know me a bit because you keep saying I'm mister mysterious. You've been open.

Zayn Malik
I do, yeah. No. So I'm hoping. Hoping they got to know me a little bit and they feel like they've seen me and caught up with me a bit, and, you know, they're going to see me a lot more, like. And I want them to know that, like, across the board, like, I've kind of had a full, like, mental rehaul and in the best way, thanks to my child and, you know, being able to see things in a different light.

And I'm going to be a lot more present, and hopefully people are going to see me a lot. I love it. Yeah. Zane, thank you so much for coming on. Call her daddy.

Alex Cooper
This was truly a pleasure. Thank you for having me.

Zayn Malik
Thank you for having me.

Zayn: For the First Time in 6 Years (REVISIT) [VIDEO]

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Episode Summary

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Episode Chapters

1: Life in Pennsylvania

2: Mental Health and Media Pressure

3: Fatherhood and Personal Growth

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