MANILA, Philippines – When he left the band, Zayn Malik said in a statement released on Facebook, "I know I have 4 friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall." Almost a year later, Zayn says that this isn't exactly the case. (READ: CONFIRMED: Zayn Malik leaves One Direction)
In an interview for the January 16 cover of Billboard, former One Direction member Zayn Malik opened up about his current relationship with the band. A portion of Billboard's cover story was released online on Thursday, January 7. (READ: One Direction members speak up about Zayn Malik's departure)
“The truth of it is, you can think one thing about a situation and the total opposite can happen," he told the magazine.
"I had every intention of remaining friends with everybody, but I guess certain phone numbers have changed and I haven’t received calls from a lot of people. I’ve reached out to a few of them and not got a reply. Certain people have pride issues, but it’s stuff you overcome in time.”
Since leaving, Zayn has been working on his solo album with producer James “Malay” Ho, who also worked on Frank Ocean's Channel Orange.
Meanwhile, the One Direction Boys are taking a break, following the release of their latest album, Made in the AM. (WATCH: One Direction in 'Carpool Karaoke' with James Corden)
On the new album, Zayn told Billboard that he hasn't heard the whole thing. The interview was held two weeks after Made in the AM's release.
“I’ll be honest. I thought the first single ("Drag Me Down") was quite cool. I heard the second single ("Perfect") and yeah, I didn’t buy the album,” said Zayn.
Zayn said earlier in the interview that he and the other boys had different musical tastes.
“I genuinely enjoyed [the band] and did whatever I could to be myself within that, but it’s just not where I sit as a musician,” he told Billboard. "The other boys’ taste was generally indie rock. It’s good music, but I don’t f-ck with it. That was never cool where I was from.”
Zayn grew up in Bradford, a working-class town in England.
What do you think of what Zayn said to Billboard about his current relationship with One Direction? Let us know in the comments! – Rappler.com
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