After a prolonged absence from the public spotlight since his departure from One Direction in 2015, Zayn Malik has finally shed light on the reasons behind his reclusive stance. In a rare appearance on the latest podcast, Call Me Daddy, the British singer disclosed that he felt overexposed during his time with the band and needed time away from the limelight to regain a sense of privacy.
During the candid conversation, Malik expressed that the constant exposure while being part of One Direction took its toll on him, prompting him to intentionally step back from interviews and public engagements. “I feel like we were so overexposed in the band. That’s why I took the time that I have to, like, not even necessarily do interviews,” he revealed.
However, the singer’s recent decision to embrace the public eye once again was driven by a heartfelt inspiration – his daughter, Khai. Malik credits his precious daughter as the driving force behind his change of heart and the motivation to become a more public figure. He acknowledged that being a good example for Khai is paramount to him, which compelled him to make a rare appearance on the podcast. “Since I’ve had my daughter, the main thing in my mind is trying to be a good example to her. That’s why I’m even doing this interview, you know? I used to get a lot of anxiety around having a conversation like this. And I want her to be able to look at me and be like, ‘My dad’s doing this,'” he shared.
Despite his busy schedule, Malik is committed to being actively involved in parenting and cherishes every moment with his daughter. He revealed that he is “super full-on, hands-on” with Khai and expressed his desire to be there for her as much as possible. Co-parenting with his former partner, supermodel Gigi Hadid, the two have demonstrated their dedication to raising their child with utmost responsibility and care.
On the professional front, Zayn Malik recently delighted fans with the release of his first solo song in two years, titled “Love Like This.” Even amid their differences, Gigi Hadid has shown unwavering support for her daughter’s father on his new musical venture.
With his motivations now grounded in fatherhood and the desire to set a positive example for his daughter, Zayn Malik’s return to the public eye signifies a fresh chapter in his life and career. Fans and well-wishers can look forward to witnessing more of his talent and passion, driven by the inspiration of being a loving and devoted father to Khai.
