Liam Payne and Zayn Malik’s complicated relationship after One Direction
Liam Payne and Zayn Malik There have been a series of ups and downs over the years.
Both musicians were thrust into the spotlight Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson When turned on X factor Formed One Direction in 2010. Malik announced his departure from the boy band in March 2015 after releasing four albums as a group.
“He’s got to really do what he’s got to do for himself,” Payne said of Malik in a May 2015 interview. “It’s okay.” We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing. We wish him all the best. We’ll just have to see what happens.
Without Malik, the boy band continued to release one record before going on hiatus in December 2015.
With One Direction going their separate ways and members embarking on their solo careers, Payne (who died in October 2024 at the age of 31) provided insight into some of the group’s dynamics, including his relationship with Malik.
Music superstar. The five members of the popular boy band One Direction – Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne Liam Payne and Zayn Malik became one of the biggest bands of the 2010s after meeting in 2010 as contestants on the reality TV series The X Factor. A group formed at Cowell’s home […]
Keep scrolling to see Penn and Malik’s ups and downs over the years:
no bad blood
In 2017, Penn said everything was “fine” with Malik, despite the “Pillowtalk” singer making negative comments about joining the band.
“If he feels hurt and slighted in some way that I don’t quite understand, that’s his responsibility, so let’s just leave it at that,” Payne shared on The Dan Wootton Interview podcast at the time. “It’s very sad because One Direction was such a wonderful time in our lives.”
Subtle shades to Malick
“Zayn makes music, but he doesn’t really perform,” Payne said on the “Killing It” podcast in April 2020.
Payne recalled watching Malik’s first solo performance since leaving the band as “fantastic”.
“I think he was just a little happy,” Payne speculated. “He loves going to the studio and making songs, he just doesn’t want to do anything that happens after that. But he does a lot of live streaming.
TikTok jokes
In September 2021, Penn posted a now-viral TikTok video poking fun at Malik’s departure from One Direction and asking fans to “see the funny side of it.”
Payne can be seen mouthing: “Are we absolutely sure of the direction we’re going?” He wrote on the screen: “Putting perspective on the post-Zayn resignation meeting.”
podcastdrama
Payne admitted in a May 2022 appearance that there were “many reasons” for his dislike of Malik. Logan Paul’s “Impulse” podcast. However, the “Strip That Down” singer said there are “many reasons” why “he will always be on stage.” [Malik’s] “Bian” also.
Most notably, Payne mentions Melk’s upbringing and compares their home lives growing up.
“My parents were overly supportive, to the point of being annoying at times. In that sense, Zayn had a different upbringing,” Payne shared. “You can always look at the guy and see where he is and say, ‘Oh yeah, whatever, that guy’s ad–‘ But at the end of the day, once you understand what he went through to get to this point, point, and whether he wants to be there.
The One Direction era is over, but Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik have continued to make music and make headlines over the years. After forming in 2010 and finishing third on the British version of The X Factor, One Direction has released four successful studio albums— […]
In the same interview, Payne infamously stated that he and one of his former One Direction bandmates “hated each other” during their time in the band. (Payne’s ex-fiancée Maya Henry It has since been revealed that he was talking about Malik.
“It’s like, fighting and hating each other, it’s very close,” he said. “At one point, there was an argument backstage and one member in particular threw me against the wall.”
Following his comments, Malik posted a since-deleted video of him singing the famous riff from One Direction’s “You & I,” which fans saw as a response.
Payne’s apology
The following month, Payne appeared to respond to the podcast’s comments.
“I don’t usually comment on these things, but when it comes to your family, it’s hard to let it go,” he shared via X in June 2022. “They mentioned specific things involving Zayn. incident, I responded to it, but hearing it back, I may not have realized I wasn’t expressing myself as clearly as I could have.
The social media post continued: “I mean, we’re always going to have some disagreements, but I will always, always be on his side. That’s family. Zayn is my brother and I will always have his back.
Get support from Malik
Payne also talked about “impulsive” podcast reviews in a July 2023 YouTube video.
“A lot of what I say comes from the wrong place,” he admits. “I was so angry about what was going on around me that instead of looking inward I decided to look outward at other people and I just thought, yeah, I’m taking this out on other people and this is really wrong.”
Payne added of Malik: “The other boys were really there for me when I needed them the most and they kind of came to the rescue. Even Zayn was like that, which is why I sent him a message online. A little thanks.
still support each other
Penn commented on a June 2023 Instagram post that showed Malik teasing new music.
“This already sounds huge,” he wrote. Malik responded: “Thank you bro, thank you for the love.”
always in his heart
“Liam, I find myself speaking loudly to you, wishing you could hear me, and I can’t help but selfishly think that there are so many more conversations we could have in our lives. I have never thanked you enough for being so important in my life. Support me in the most difficult moments of my life,” Malik wrote on Instagram in October 2024, the day after Payne died in Argentina. “When I was 17 and homesick, you were always there with your positive attitude and reassuring smile, letting me know you were my friend and that I loved you.”
Malik recalled that despite being younger than him, Payne was “always the wiser,” saying: “You were headstrong, opinionated, and had no problem telling people when they were wrong. Although we were There have been several conflicts, but I have always respected you in my heart.
The “Until Dawn” singer gushed about Payne’s musical talent, noting that he’s “the most qualified in every way.” He admitted that he was an “inexperienced newbie” when he met Payne. (Malik also shared a photo from their one-dimensional days, showing the pair sleeping soundly on the road.)
“It’s always nice to know that no matter what happens on stage, we can always count on you to know which direction to steer the ship next,” Malik wrote. “When you left us, I lost a Brother, I can’t explain to you what it would take to give you one last hug, say goodbye, and tell you that I love you deeply and respect you.”
He concluded: “I will always cherish all the memories I have with you and no words can justify or explain how I feel right now other than extreme shock. I hope wherever you are right now you are doing well. , so peaceful, you know how much you are loved, brother.
Malik later paid tribute to Penn at a concert in November 2024. Before the encore of Malick’s performance, the lights flickered on and off while a commemorative image played. The sign reads “Liam Payne 1993-2024”. “Love you brother❤️.” Malik’s song “Stardust” played in the background.
