On Thursday, Malik gave his first interview to UK tabloid The Sun since his announcement.
He opened up about his decision to leave behind Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson to continue as a four-member group.
He admitted that he has been thinking of parting with the UK boy band for awhile, saying: "You know, I did try to do something that I wasn't happy doing for a while, for the sake of maybe other people."
He also confirmed that he is still engaged to Little Mix band member, Perrie Edwards, amid speculations that the two have split following his controversial photo with another woman.
"Yeah, she’s always supportive. She’s always good, man," he said of Edwards.
Malik also mentioned that he has been working on his own music, adding that he plans to "be [himself] for a bit. Write and relax and chill."
Other media outlets speculated that this meant that the singer will be embarking on a solo career, with some even noting that he was seen in a West London Studio with Naughty Boy --a producer that has worked on Sam Smith's debut album.
Malik also quashed rumors about a supposed rift with the other band members. "My band has been really supportive. They've been really cool about it. And they understand that it's not real to me any more," he said.
Shortly after Malik's announcement, Styles was caught on video in tears during the band's performance in Jakarta. All four band members have since aired their support for Malik's decision on their respective social media accounts.
Malik, in his decision on Wednesday, said that he feels that it is the right time for him to leave the band. He added that he wants to have some private time out of the spotlight.
It came days after he was signed off the band's world tour due to stress, which caused him to miss One Direction's first ever concert in Manila.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
