Liam Payne, Zayn Malik’s Complicated Relationship After One Direction
Liam Payne and Zayn Malik has experienced a series of ups and downs over the years.
Both musicians were tget into the spotlight nearby Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson while on Factor X in 2010 form One Direction. After the group released four albums, Malik announced his departure from the boy band in March 2015.
“He had to do what he had to do, really, for himself,” Payne said of Malik in a May 2015 interview. “It’s normal. We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing. We wish him all the best in whatever he does and so on. We’ll just have to see what happens.”
The boy band continued without Malik, releases another record until their break in December 2015.
How One Direction parted, and the boys started their solo efforts, Payne (who died at the age of 31 in October 2024) offered insight into some of the band’s dynamics — including his relationship with Malik.
Music superstars. Pop boy band One Direction became one of the biggest bands of the 2010s after its five members – Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik – met as contestants on the reality series The X Factor in in 2010. the singers became a band with judge Simon Cowell (…)
Keep scrolling to see Payne and Malik’s ups and downs over the years:
No Bad Blood
In 2017, Payne said Malik was “well and good” despite the “Pillowtalk” singer’s negative comments about him being in the band.
“If he feels hurt and slighted in some way that I don’t really understand, that’s up to him, so here we go,” Payne shared on the Dan Wootton Interview podcast at the time. “It’s very sad because One Direction it was a wonderful, wonderful time in all of our lives.”
A subtle shadow to Malik
“Zane does music, but he doesn’t really perform,” Payne stated on The Killing It Podcast. in April 2020 “For him, he had such performance anxiety that he just couldn’t deal with it.”
Payne recalled watching Malik’s first solo performance since leaving the group, “really great.”
“I think he’s just happy,” Payne suggested. “He likes going into the studio, writing songs, he just doesn’t want to do anything that comes after that. But he broadcasts a lot.”
TikTok entertainment
In September 2021, Payne posted on the now-viral TikTok mocking Malik’s departure from One Direction and asked fans to “see the funny side of it”.
Paine was seen mouthing the words: “Are we absolutely sure which direction we’re going?” He wrote on the screen, “POV meeting after Zayn leaves.”
Podcast drama
Payne admitted there were “many reasons”. he did not like Malik during a May 2022 appearance Logan Paul‘s “Impaulsive” podcast. However, the “Strip That Down” singer said there are “a lot of reasons” why “he’ll always be on (Malik’s) side.”
In particular, Payne referenced Mailk’s upbringing and compared their home lives growing up.
“My parents are overly supportive to the point where it’s annoying at times. “Zane was raised differently in that sense,” Payne shared. “You can always look at a person where they’re at and say, ‘Oh yeah, whatever, this guy’s ad . . .” But at the end of the day, once you understand what he went through to get to this point and whether he wanted to be there or not.”
The days of One Direction are over, but Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik have continued to make music — and headlines — for years. After forming and finishing third on the UK version of The X Factor in 2010, One Direction have released four successful studio albums — (…)
In the same interview, Payne noted that he and one of his former One Direction bandmates “hated each other” during their time in the group. (Paine’s ex-fiancée Maya Henry has since been discovered he was talking about Malik.)
“Like, they fought, they hated each other, it was close,” he said. “There was one point where there was an argument backstage and one member in particular threw me against the wall.”
Following the comments, Malik posted a now-deleted video of himself singing his famous riff from One Direction’s “You & I,” which fans took as a response.
Payne’s Apology
The following month, Payne appeared to address the podcast’s comments.
“Normally I wouldn’t comment on these things, but when it’s your family, it’s hard to let it go,” he said. shared through X in June 2022 “They mentioned a specific incident involving Zayn, which I responded to, but listening, maybe I didn’t articulate myself as well as I could have.”
The social media post continued: “I said there will always be things we don’t agree on, but I will always, always be on his side. This is a family. Zayn is my brother and I will be with him forever.”
Having Malik’s support
Payne also addressed the comments on the “Impaulsive” podcast. in a July 2023 YouTube video.
“A lot of what I said came from the wrong place,” he admitted. “I was so angry at what was going on around me, and instead of looking inward, I decided to look outward at everyone else and I just thought, yeah, I’ve taken it out on everyone else, which is really wrong.”
Addressing Malik by name, Payne added: “The rest of the guys were there for me when I needed them the most, they came to the rescue. Even Zayn did, so I sent him a little thank you on the internet.’
We still support each other
Payne commented on a June 2023 Instagram post in which Malik teased new music.
“It already sounds massive,” he wrote. Malik responded by saying, “Appreciate it bro, thanks for the love.”
Forever in His heart
“Liam, I find myself talking out loud to you, hoping you can hear me, I can’t help but think selfishly that there are still many conversations in our lives. I have never thanked you enough for supporting me through the toughest times of my life.” — Malik wrote via Instagram in October 2024, the day after Payne’s death in Argentina. “When I was homesick at age 17, you were always there with a positive attitude and a reassuring smile to let me know that you were my friend and that I loved you.”
Malik recalled how he thought that even though Payne was younger than him, he was “always smarter”, saying: “You were opinionated, opinionated and didn’t care to tell people when they were wrong. Even though we’ve butted heads a few times over it, I’ve always secretly respected you for it,” he continued.
The “Dusk Till Dawn” singer spoke about Payne’s musical talent, noting that he is “the most skilled in every way.” He admitted he was a “newbie kid with no experience” when he met Payne. (Malik also shared a photo from their 1D days in which both fast asleep on the road.)
“It was always nice to know that no matter what was happening on stage, we could always count on you to know which way to steer the ship next,” Malik wrote. “I lost a brother when you left us and I can’t explain to you what I would give just to hug you one last time, to say goodbye properly and to tell you that I loved and respected you so much.”
He concluded: “I will cherish all the memories with you in my heart forever, there are no words to justify or explain what I feel right now other than devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now, you are well, at peace, and know that you are loved. Love you bro.”
Malik paid tribute to Payne during a concert in November 2024. Before Malik’s encore show, the lights went off and on as a memorial graphic was shown. “Liam Payne 1993-2024,” the sign read. “Love you brother ❤️.” Malik’s song “Stardust” played in the background.
English