Zayn Malik's bold move to leave One Direction in the middle of their tour in 2015 paved the way for him to become a singer who isn't defined by his boy-band roots. When he released his solo record "Mind of Mine" a year after his departure, the singer showed off a more R&B sound that he claimed One Direction's label did not approve of. He felt that he was being creatively suppressed, which was why he ultimately decided to leave the group. Today, "Mind of Mine" has sold over 157,000 album-equivalent units and earned more than 40.8 million streams.
Malik is hoping to recreate and even surpass the success of his debut solo record with another one that he's currently working on. The 24-year old isn't limiting himself to just solo work, as he has collaborated with DJ Khaled and even pop superstar Taylor Swift for the "Fifty Shades Darker" track "I Don't Wanna Live Forever." His contemporary, Swift is also gearing up to release her controversial new record, "Reputation" that arrives this November. Malik admitted that it was a good experience working with Swift.
Former One Direction band member talks Taylor Swift collaboration
Taylor Swift has been on the receiving end of much criticism despite her massive success. Being professionally linked to an artist of her stature must come with some backlash, but Malik is paying no attention to it.
He told FADER (via Billboard) that he doesn't "pay too much attention" to "anything that has to do with trivia about people’s personal lives or things that’s going on in their careers." Instead, he had nothing but good words for the Grammy Award winning artist, saying that "[Swift] deserves her success because she’s worked hard...I did a song with her, it was fun, she was professional.
I don’t have a bad word to say about her. She’s cool."
Singer knows better than to pick sides
Taylor Swift has been the subject of celebrity feuds for years, one with Katy Perry, another with Kanye West, and yet another with Kim Kardashian. But while some artists have gone on to pick sides, Zayn Malik is staying on his lane. He insists that he doesn't involve himself with such politics, and admitted that he only bases his opinions on people on how he meets and interacts with them.
Seeing that Swift hasn't done anything to wrong him and is in fact good friends with his girlfriend, Gigi Hadid, Malik sees no point in delving into such celebrity feuds and other issues that may hurt his reputation. Malik is currently working on his new record, while Swift's "Reputation" drops on November 10.
