Zayn Malik infamously quit One Direction to be a "normal 22-year-old", then was back making music with Naughty Boy, having a feud with Naughty Boy and signing to RCA - without Naughty Boy, obvs.
That doesn't sound like the sort of thing a "normal" 20-something would be doing, does it? Normal 22-year-olds are too busy Snapchatting themselves mainlining Jagerbombs in Killer Clown costumes.
Well now, Zayn has hinted that his infamous leaving speech might have been written for him. GASP. Back in March 2015, his statement was posted on One Direction's Facebook page:
"My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band.
"I'd like to apologise to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight.
"I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world."
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Speaking to ES Magazine, Zayn was asked whether he feels normal now:
"[He smirks and leans forward] 'I'm going to ask you a question now — do you think I wrote that? Like, look how it's worded. I'm not a 35-year-old lawyer. I don't write like that,' [he sits back, satisfied.]"
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? WHAT DOES IT MEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAN?
Perhaps it means Zayn didn't really fancy giving a public statement after his traumatic exit. He'd already quit their 'On The Road' tour due to "stress" six days before his departure was officially announced.
Or maybe his actual statement was quite palatable for his legions of tween fans. He's been extremely vocal about his distaste for the boyband life and he's even reported to be working on a TV show about that very subject, which will undoubtedly parallel his 1D experience.
Elsewhere in the interview, he also wished he could have had more "anonymity" and would have waited until he was older before entering into a pop career.
"[What advice would he give his 17-year-old self now?] 'Don't do it.' [At first, I think he's joking.] 'I would say: Do your research and be a bit more prepared about certain situations before you make a decision.'"
He continues: "If I could go back, I'd have a few more years of anonymity."
For now, he'll have to contend with dating a Victoria's Secret model, planning his collection with Versace and making his huge music, the poor lamb.
Laurence Mozafari (he/him) is a multi-award winning journalist, editor, and presenter. A former Editor-in-Chief of Digital Spy, Laurence previously held roles as the site's Editor, Deputy Editor, and Associate Editor focusing on news, social, and video. Laurence hosted the BBC Sounds podcast Obsessed with Peaky Blinders in 2019. He also hosts his own podcast production, Time of My Life, where he interviews fascinating elders about their life lessons, including Only Fools and Horses' Sir David Jason, Star Trek’s George Takei and Bridgerton’s Adjoa Andoh.
Laurence was named Editorial Director – Youth Audience at Reach in early 2025. Prior to joining Digital Spy, he was previously at Bauer Media working as Digital Editor of Heat magazine's website Heatworld.com, and has also worked at and written for Sky, NME, Q magazine, Grazia, Closer, FHM and dedicated careers website GoThinkBig. He secured a first-class BA journalism degree at Staffordshire University, along with several NCTJ qualifications, and now has 14 years' experience in digital publishing covering TV, movies, music, gaming, tech, showbiz, and travel.
Laurence has been a broadcasting contributor on television and radio, including KISS, Heat Radio, BBC Radio London, Radio 5 Live, and BBC Breakfast.
He is also a visiting lecturer at various universities teaching journalism, including City, University of London, Nottingham Trent, Staffordshire University and London Metropolitan. Laurence has won numerous awards in his journalism career, including the BSME Talent Award’s Best Deputy Editor, the PPA's 30 Under 30, and the New Editor and Editor of the Year at the AOP and BSMEs. He led Digital Spy to win PPA's Digital Content Team of the Year twice, along with the British Media Awards’ Brand of the Year in 2021.
Laurence joined the committee for the British Society of Magazine Editors in 2022 and was named vice-chair in 2025. He has since hosted panels with CEOs of Immediate Media and the Media Trust at the PPA Festival, as well as presenting his own radio show on Green Man Radio at Green Man Festival in 2022. Laurence is also a Brits voting academy member.
Laurence has been lucky enough to interview numerous celebrities, actors, and musicians throughout his career. Arnold Schwarzenegger loved his hair, Jimmy Carr loved his coat and Antonio Banderas gave a shout-out to his mum. Laurence has covered set visits for The Witcher on Netflix and Marvel’s Inhumans, he got Daisy Ridley to do a Chewbacca impression and loves Marvel, PlayStation, Glastonbury and craft beer. Linkedin
