Is Zayn Malik working on a solo album?

MANILA - Zayn Malik may have left One Direction in order to live a life of a normal 22-year-old, but apparently that doesn't mean he'll be leaving the spotlight completely.

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

WATCH: 1D's Harry Styles cries in Jakarta concert

An emotional Harry Styles was in tears during his group One Direction's concert in Jakarta, Indonesia on Wednesday, after member Zayn Malik decided to quit the British boy band.

Styles and the rest of three remaining One Direction members took the stage in Jakarta, just a few days after their concert in Manila.

Just before the Jakarta show, Malik announced that he was quitting the pop band because he wanted to live a normal life.

Earlier, Malik already backed out from the Manila concert because of stress. This announcement came a day after photos of him with another woman stirred trouble in his relationship with fiancee Perrie Edwards, best known as a member of the band Little Mix.

The video of Styles crying during their concert was uploaded by Ameylie Jones yesterday and has now more than 300,000 views.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Zayn Malik quits One Direction

MANILA - One Direction star Zayn Malik has quit the British boyband for good after five years.

The 22-year-old singer made the decision on Wednesday, leaving behind Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson to continue as a four-member group.



 "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," said Malik in a statement released on the band's official Facebook page.

"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," he added.

For their part, the remaining members of One Direction said: "We're really sad to see Zayn go, but we totally respect his decision and send him all our love for the future."

"The past five years have been beyond amazing, we've gone through so much together, so we will always be friends."

"The four of us will now continue. We're looking forward to recording the new album and seeing all the fans on the next stage of the world tour."

His departure comes a week after photos of him with another woman stirred trouble in his relationship with fiancee Perrie Edwards, best known as a member of the band Little Mix.

Malik took to Twitter to defend himself, saying: "I'm 22 years old... I love a girl named Perrie Edwards. And there's a lot of jealous ***** in this world I'm sorry for what it looks like x."

The controversy caused the singer to miss the Manila leg of the band's "On The Road Again Tour."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com