Zayn: Leaving One Direction & Becoming A Father (Full Episode)

What is up, Daddy gang? It is your. founding father, Alex Cooper, with Call. Her Daddy. Hey. Zayn, welcome to Call Her Daddy. Hey. I'm so happy that you're here. We have. to preface this with my fans are. watching this like where the [ __ ] are. you guys? We are in my childhood home, Daddy gang, okay? Zayn and I are in my living room.

that I grew up in. Zayn got here and has. had to look at all the embarrassing. childhood photos of me. Thank you so. much for coming. I didn't do so well. with the childhood photos just for the. record. What did you say? I didn't see. any embarrassing photos. I think you hid. them all. I actually there's a couple. You'll see them on your way out and then. you'll never look at me the same. I have. never done a podcast in my childhood. home. So this feels like a little sentimental. Also, you never really do interviews. I. don't. When is the last time you did. something like this? Mhm, I think I did.

an interview like 6 years ago. It was. the last time I did one. So we're kind of like popping the cherry. back off. I think so, yeah. Something. like that. So you're living in Pennsylvania and I. obviously grew up here. I loved it. growing up. It's very family-oriented, very suburban, but I'm curious to know. like of all the trendy spots that you. could have picked, why Pennsylvania? Um, yeah, it's interesting. A lot of. people ask me that like they always. think it's super random that I live out.

here. Um, I ended up coming out here um with. with my ex a bit like and I fell in love. with it like it was just super like calm. and chill like you said suburban. um and I just wanted to like take a. break from like the busy city cuz like I. was living in New York for 3 years at. the time. and um. it just got a bit overwhelming, you. know, like going out of your door to. like just craziness all the time. So I. just wanted a bit more like um. of a surrounding that like I'm used to, like where I grew up.

in Bradford like in in the UK. It's It's. a lot more this kind of pace and vibe, so. I feel like I just fit in better around. here than I do in the trendy spots as it. as it is it as it were, you know. You Yeah, you give trendy vibes, but I. think I totally relate to that of like. sometimes when you get. that. Yeah Yeah. I give trendy vibes. You give trendy vibes. Like look at your. outfits. Like pretty swaggy. But then. you're also like hanging with the Amish. folks. So it's like a good little. juxtaposition, Zayn. Okay.

But what I find interesting is I love. that you said like you would be in New. York City and I'm assuming you would be. going out and there's paparazzi. everywhere taking photos of you. Pennsylvania, there ain't no paparazzi. that's a great thing. Are they finding you or no? No. No, there's no Yeah, I think there's. like laws and stuff they're not allowed. to even take photos in certain places. and stuff. amazing. Okay, the most important. question, have you gone to Wawa yet? I have. Uh Wawa's a night time lifesaver out.

here. I was like I How am I going to get along. with Zayn if he hasn't like had a love. for Wawa yet? So you. No, I love Wawa. Yeah, like late night. studio sessions, there's nothing else. open you have to go to Wawa and get the. the meatball sub. Yeah. It is so [ __ ] superior. I. remember growing up and my excuse. whenever I would want to go like meet up. with boys, we'd be like, "Mom, like I. just want to go get a Wawa sub." And. she'd be like, "You're not getting a. Wawa. your cover up, yeah. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by. Airbnb. Daddy gang, I have so much.

travel coming up this summer and the. thought of being away from Bruce and. Henry for long periods of time makes me. unwell. I'm getting a rash just thinking. about it, okay? So anytime I can, I. choose to stay at an Airbnb. Not only. does Airbnb allow me to bring my dogs, but it also ensures that I'll have the. privacy to really unwind during a. vacation. You're welcome, Matt. Every. time I stay in a house on a trip, I feel. like a local. I can stock up the house. with groceries, I can explore. neighborhood bars, and get to know the.

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you're looking for, guest favorites can. help you find it. Sometimes my priority. is a house with a gym. Sometimes That's. actually a lie. That's Matt's priority. For me, sometimes it's more about like. having the perfect bed to rot in. Maybe. it's a hot tub, whatever it be, it's all. about balance. As you book your 2025. travel, my number one tip is to check. out Airbnb first to find the perfect. place to stay because your accommodation. can really make or break the trip. Okay, so I feel like again, you're kind of. this mysterious guy, Zane. We don't.

really know too much about you. You're. kind of under the radar. So, can you. take me through a typical day in the. life of Zane in Pennsylvania? Like, what. are we doing? Make us feel like we're a. part of your life. Um a typical day for. me is uh it kind of varies. Depends, you. know, like what what kind of mood I wake. up in, but I take it pretty easy. Like, I just um. I don't now cuz obviously I've got my. daughter like 50% of the time, it's it's. it's a balance between the two things, but when I'm by myself, a typical day is.

um I'll probably wake up around like. midday, have a shower, eat some food, um and then like figure out if I'm going. to go to the studio and do some writing. cuz I've been in like writing mode for a. long time, just like working on my. records and stuff, so. just yeah, just getting into the studio. pretty much and then I'll I'll be there. like all day until I go to sleep. Then. you're going to Wawa. I'm going to go to. Wawa, yeah. That's it, yeah. And stop. off for a sandwich. Are you. uh are you someone that likes to be.

alone? Um I like my own space. Um I like. to um. collect my thoughts in like a more quiet. environment. Um I feel like when there's. a lot of people around it kind of like. just gets a bit hectic for me, yeah. I. just I like to chill by myself from time. to time, but I don't mind hanging out. with people now like on occasion, you. know what I'm saying? Like it has to be. the right kind of environment and I have. to like. want to be there, you know? I know, I.

get that. I feel like that's also. growing up. Like I was recently talking. to some of my audience. I was meeting. them in person and we're like, it's kind. of weird when you just start to grow up, you just get more specific with who you. want to spend your time with. I think. that's a healthy thing. Obviously, you're on a even bigger stage because. you were around millions of people in. stadiums and tours and everything, but I. also think that's kind of relatable of. like, you know what? Sometimes I want to. be alone and then I'll still hang with. people, but like you got to be good. company. Yeah, I I've always thought. like.

um it would be, you know, a pretty. normal reaction to feel that way around. so many people. I think anybody. who was like overwhelmed in that manner. would feel, you know, a certain type of. of way about it, but. um I'm definitely learning to manage it. a lot better. Like um as I'm getting. older, like it's it's more of a choice, you know, rather than a than a. hindrance. It's not like I can't do. that. It's like I I'd rather prefer not. to, yeah. That makes sense. I own it a bit more, yeah. You obviously love music, but can you.

share with us like what are some of your. other hobbies? What are you passionate. about? What's other than music? Um. like my my main passion I think outside. of music is is art. I love to paint and. I love to draw. Um, I do a bit of cooking. Okay, tell me one. of your dishes. Come on. I can't cook. for [ __ ] so. a lot of different things. Um, but I. like to cook meat, like specifically. Like, um, I I have a smoker outside and. I like to smoke like lamb and and I cook. like my like I'll do like grilled.

vegetables with it and stuff. Is this like new or were you always good. at cooking? I wasn't always good at cooking, unfortunately for me. No, my mom kind of. spoiled me as a kid. So, when I was. living by myself like at 17, there was. some botched jobs done for some meals. Yeah, it wasn't it wasn't great. Some. some disgusting, uh, Yeah. uh, stuff was. going down, for sure. Yeah, horrible. Yeah, just sandwiches, you know, out of like crisps. That's. kind of nice to be able to know like you. can cook. You're over there at painting.

You can sing. Okay. No big deal. Don't keep bragging over there. Wow, making us all look bad. Do you have. animals? I do. Yeah, I've got a lot of. animals. I have three cats, three dogs. Do they get along? Uh, they're kind of like in different. places. I have some dogs that won't part. of my house and the cats in the other. Um, the we have three turtles, six. chickens. Do you name them all? No, I.

haven't. Not this time. I got too. attached last time and it it it made. maybe really sad. Did the chickens die? Yeah. Oh god. I took I took my chicken to to. the vet. Um, to get a scan because something was. wrong with her and the vet laughed at me. and said people don't bring chickens. here. Um, and and then they still charged me. for an x-ray and then I I took my. chicken all the way home and cried and. as she died in my arms. Amazing. I'm. like not laughing cuz it's funny.

it it is kind of funny, but not because. the chicken died, but it's just funny. seeing me take a chicken to the vet, I. like. holding your chicken like are you. holding your chicken like this? Yeah, fully on my lap, yeah. She died on my lap. So you weren't crazy. for going to the vet. No, yeah, she had. something wrong with her. We tried to. rescue them. They were going to be. slaughtered, I think. And. they had all kinds of things wrong with. them, yeah. But I've got new chickens. now and they're all healthy and stuff, but I didn't name them for that reason. Okay, and what are the names of the.

cats? Salem, Dobby, and Vito. Dobby, is that from Harry Potter? From Harry Potter. He's a Sphinx. He's a. pink Sphinx, yeah. So he looks a little. bit like Dobby. Dobby! Harry! That's so good. You're a Harry. Potter fan. Harry Potter fan. Zayn, I didn't know. that about you. I wouldn't have pegged. you as like a Harry Potter guy. This is. like really good vibes. It was It was my thing as a kid, yeah. That's really good. Okay, and what are. the dogs' names? Um Zion, Zeus, and.

Fumper. Fumper? With a F With an F, yeah. Fumper? Fumper. Like Thumper, but with an F. How did you come up with that? Uh Bambi. Oh. Thumper, the rabbit. But you wanted an F. Yeah, Fumper I. thought sounded better. Yeah. It's It's better in my accent, Fumper, you know? Yeah, it does sound pretty good. Um. something I love to do on Call Her Daddy. is like. the reason we all are the way that we. are is because of our childhood, where. we came from, who we were raised by, our.

environment growing up. Obviously you. living in Pennsylvania right now is so. different from where you grew up in the. UK in Bradford like you described. Can. you explain to people that may not be. familiar with Bradford? Like what was. your upbringing like and what was that. environment like? Um where do you want. me to start? Just wherever it feels. right, go ahead. Uh yeah, Brad- Bradford's not obviously. like Pennsylvania in terms of, you know, like the wealth and the way that it's. like, you know, looked after and taken. care of. It's um. it's.

an impoverished community, you know? There's people below working class that. that. um. that have, you know, a hard environment. that they're growing up in, you know? Everyone's kind of got some issues going. on at home or something's happening, you. know? Even if it's on the street or. whatever, wherever you go, there's. there's a lot of um. confliction, you know? Um so it was very. different to. um. to hear in that sense, for sure. But. I'm very grateful for where I grew up.

cuz it it definitely, like you said, shaped and molded a lot of um identity. for me. Um. early on I was questioned, you know, and. like interrogated about my identity. because of my environment. Like it's. just the way it is. Like you have to. have a good understanding of who you. are. Um and uh I'm really grateful for that, you know? It helped cement um my own. identity myself, I think. When you talk. about like people would question your. identity, I know your family is not from. the UK. Your family is Pakistani. And.

I'm curious, is that. My My father is. My My mom's English. Okay. So did Are you saying like is that. how that was influenced. No, not necessarily. Just in in every. sense of the word. Like even like your. fashion, the clothes you want to wear, the way you want to cut your hair. It. was always something was questioned, you. know? If you weren't doing the norm that. was like that everybody would do was. doing or everyone was following, you. know? Everyone would wear a certain type. of pant or certain type of shoe. And if. you weren't dressed that way, you would. get questioned about it, you know? Like.

people would be very like in your face. and be like give you [ __ ] So you have. to like have a bit about you so that you. could you know, know who you were and. have a conversation back. Have a bit of wits about you as it is, you know? Street smarts, for sure. to be able to like hold your own. Exactly, yeah. And when you say people. are coming at you, is it more like peer. dynamics of or is it more like. authoritative figures? There's There's a Yeah, there's a. a. mix sorry of of everything. It's um. It depends, you know, there's there's.

the peer pressure in schools and stuff, but then it's on the street if you go. out there and stuff if you're just. trying to have a good time, you know, like it's not um as. Yeah. friend friendly fun, you know, it's it's a bit more like um Yeah. I rate. There's there's there's a bit of. bit of aggression going on, you know. what I mean? Yeah. Talk to me about where you grew up. Like. are you in an apartment? Are you in a. condo? Are you. Oh, no, we I grew up in a in a terraced. house um. in a rented property. We never owned our.

own house. Um. So, yeah, it was it was a small house. There was like three bedrooms, kitchen, living room, but the streets like are. all like every house is like stuck next. to the one next to it, you know what I'm. saying? It's there's no space. You have. a garden that's like. like enough for maybe a dog to sit in. Um so, yeah, it's it's a bit different. for sure, yeah. So, you have three. sisters? Mhm. Okay, and so you are the. one boy and three sisters. sisters, yeah. What was it like growing.

up with all mostly women around you? Like how do you think that shaped you? Um I feel like I learned a lot of things. like early on. Um my sisters are are very opinionated, you know, they're very um strong. characters um and uh. Yeah, I love them. They're great. They. they were a lot of fun, yeah. It was. always entertaining in our house for. sure. I love I really love when I meet a. guy and I'm you can just tell that he.

has sisters because you can just tell. the way they move around women. You guys. learn what a [ __ ] tampon is earlier. I had to go to the store and buy them. Wow, so you were like really supporting. that time of the month. Terrified, but. supportive. For sure, yeah. Okay. Were you reluctant to go to the store. and buy anything? Definitely not. It was It's kind of. weird like when the shopkeeper would ask. me like why I was buying them and I'm. like obviously I'm not buying them for. myself, you know, like do you have to. ask me that? Like just let me buy this. You wouldn't stick like a couple extra.

like snacks around it. You're just like. tampons. We didn't have money for extra snacks. It was just need needs to mean yeah. Zayn's like I'll take the supers. These. [ __ ] are on it. the other way around. But yeah, exactly. It was always an awkward conversation. but yeah, I I didn't mind it. I respect it. I really do. your sisters. Okay, to people obviously. that weren't there in your childhood, how would you describe your personality. as a kid? Um. my personality as a kid, I think I was a.

a bit of a cheeky cheeky chappie. Yeah, I used to mischievous used to get into. all kinds of. just childish stuff, you know, like. climbing in places I shouldn't have been. and falling out trees and smashing. windows and stupid things. Yeah. Oh. With with a football. Accidentally of. course, you know. Right. Right, for. sure, for sure. So you were getting in. trouble a little bit. Yeah. Just like childish stuff though, you know, nothing too serious. Yeah, like climbing trees. Exactly. Yeah, exciting [ __ ] Okay, so. you were kind of just like doing your.

thing as a kid but I also think the way. that you're describing the environment. that you grew up, was there. a way that you could have gone down the. wrong path easily because of that. environment? It was easy to get wrapped. up in the wrong crowd? Yeah, I think there was always an. opportunity to go and do something that. you know, uh would have got you in like serious. trouble. Um I was. really lucky in the sense that like my. mother and father like were super. protective of that environment. My dad.

was always aware of, you know, the. things that were out there and he always. explained stuff to me from a young age. Um. and uh kind of kept me away from that if. I'm being honest and that's where like I. developed into being a person that likes. to be by myself and like in my room like. singing, recording, writing. I got into. you know poetry and things like that cuz. I was in my room a lot like. um and I didn't like to be in in them. kind of environments. They It was just. um a bit too much, you know. I was. always a bit more of a.

reserved kind of guy, but you know, artistic, wanted to do my own thing. I. didn't really want to be in that. So, my. parents did a good job of keeping me. away from it, I think, yeah. Did you get. along with kids in school? Were you like. the cool kid? Were you bullied? Like. what was the vibe? Yeah, I think I got on with with pretty. much everyone, but I wasn't like I I was. the type of person who only ever had. like two, three close friends. So, I. didn't have like a big group. Like I. knew people, people knew of me. I don't. think I was the cool kid. Yeah. But I wasn't bullied either. Yeah,

like I if if people knew me, they were. friendly with me, yeah. Yeah. I feel like a lot of kids, we always. have that like memory. Maybe it's financial, maybe it's. something with the parents or the. siblings or extended family. Like a like. a childhood memory that you remember. your family kind of just being like. stressed or going through and something. difficult. Kind of like if you could. remember kind of a childhood memory that. you remember just being like stressed. about something in your life. Like looking back at like childhood.

stresses, like I I feel like a lot of. them were so like finicky that they were. just probably just some teenage [ __ ]. you know what I mean? It wasn't anything. important. Um so, I don't really look back at. things like that in in my personality, that the way I am, like I I've never. really like looked back and been like, oh yeah, this is one thing that like. kind of was, you know, a stressful. thing. I think life is interesting like. that. I think, you know, it depends on. what you're going through at that time. and how you feel and then you can. reflect on it at different point and.

feel completely differently about it. It's so interesting. I have a lot of. respect even for you answering it like. that cuz I know that you've been open. about like at one point your family. being on food stamps. And I feel like a. lot of people would sit here and that. may have been the answer, right? That. would have been like, "Well, [ __ ] Like, I couldn't even I didn't know where my. next meal was." And you're like, "Oh, you know, maybe it was childish [ __ ]. Like, no big deal." And it's like, "That's interesting if you". Yeah, no. And obviously, there is there. was some serious things like that, for. sure, too. But, I don't look back at it.

in in terms of a negative light, you. know? It all helped to like shape and. mold who I am and uh made me grateful. for the things that I have now, you. know? Yeah. So, we are here because you. can sing. When did you first realize you. were passionate about singing and you. could sing? Um I think I was about 11, 12. Um I'd sung a little bit before, like. I'd done a bit in in like school choir. and stuff. Um. funny story, I actually fancied like.

these three girls that were in choir. Um and they were triplets, and that's. why I just was like, "I'm going to be in. choir just so I can hang around these. girls.". Um and then it developed from there when. uh I went into high school. I went to a. performing arts college, like uh. specifically like majored in in sports. and performing arts. Mhm. And. um they were doing the school production. that year for Grease, and I auditioned. Um and nobody could sing, like at all,

like in our whole school. And I went and. did this like singing audition, everyone. was like, "Woah, you can sing." And then. my um. music teacher like recommended that I. get like a couple of singing lessons and. stuff. Um and then she said, "I think you. should go on X Factor. I think you've. got a good chance." Like, and it just. kind of went from there, like. I love. that the story started with, you know, there were these three triplets. And it. just felt right to join choir because.

eight, as well, by the way. Just for the record. So swaggy. You're like, "I I to get in. that class.". just, yeah, spend this time, yeah. Right. So, like your natural just like. boy interests ended up you realized. something that you had a true talent. From the triplets to X Factor, you made. it. So, it's so funny, too, because you say. you wouldn't be where you are without. your mom because you didn't want to get. out of bed the morning that you had the. X Factor audition and your mom made you. go. Why did you also not want to go.

initially? Um I think it was just. nerves. Um I I built it up in my head and I was. like, "Yo, this is a massive thing." And. yeah, I was like, "I don't think I'm. going to go today." And my mom's like, "You are going. You're going right now. You're going to go see what happens.". So, yeah, definitely owe it to her for. that, for sure. And so, did you like practice? You were. practicing for it? Yeah. Um but I had no. idea, no clue. Like they they told us. like we had to have like um a backing. track, like a a karaoke version. And.

like I was so like inexperienced at that. time that I didn't even know what that. was. So, like I was just planning on. singing a cappella. So, I was just. going to do it like without anything. Um and it was so weird for me to adjust. to singing on a backing track. I was. like, "This is. such a weird experience.". I think even Simon looked at me a little. bit weird like when I did the a cappella. cuz everybody had backing tracks and. stuff. But yeah. So, that probably made. you stand out though. I don't know. It. It could have worked either way. May-. maybe it made me sound really bad, too. No. Well, obviously not. Look where.

you're [ __ ] sitting. Yeah, true. Do you remember what you. sang? I Yeah, I do. Mario, Let Me Love You. And the reason I said that is cuz I've. seen that uh performance back a few. times and cringed every time. Uh so, yeah. It wasn't my best vocal. performance. So, there's a lot of nerves. involved there, for sure. But clearly. there was something in there, Zayn. There's some talent, yeah. There's some. potential. A cappella and he just nails. it. Call Her Daddy is brought to you by. White Claw. I don't know who needs to hear this, but.

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with flavors, White Claw seltzer works, Chicago, Illinois. When you look back at. that moment, obviously, is it like surreal? Like, if you even. had to like watch it back, like, is it. does it even feel like a lifetime ago? Yeah, it does. It feels like so much. longer than it actually was. Um, cuz so. much stuff's happened in that time. Um, yeah, it's it's it's very. interesting, very surreal. Um, I know I I feel all them nerves again. like when I watch it. like I I feel like. I could like give myself a hug, you.

know, and be like, "It's okay, bro.". Cuz I literally I'm like holding onto. the mic for dear life. Please, nobody hurt me. Um yeah. good. It's so good. So, obviously then X. Factor everyone Simon everyone came to. you guys and they had this idea to. invent One Direction. And then I I think people don't I don't. even know like did you even meet anyone. before they put you guys together? Yeah, we knew each other like just from. around. Okay. Cuz we were like a similar age and. stuff. So, naturally you speak to people. who like a similar age to you around.

there and stuff and we were at boot camp. together and we'd I met Harry the on my. audition day because um we both. auditioned in Manchester. Do you. And we were literally sat next to each. other in the audition. Oh, so it was. like [ __ ] meant to be. He was sat right next to me. We spoke. and I went in and did like a producing. audition round and then he went in. straight after me. And we spoke a little. bit there, yeah. So, you weren't. complete strangers. That's good to know. Cuz it like I didn't know if they like. just threw you all together and then you. were like, "Hey, what's up?". very well, obviously. You know, you.

don't see all behind the scenes and. stuff. But yeah, you spend a lot of time. with contestants. Okay, got it. Once you. started obviously One Direction and you. joined One Direction, like how quickly. did your actual life change? Was it. overnight immediate or was it a little. bit gradual? Um. it was kind of strange. the the like. visual evidence of life changing like. people being outside of the the studio. and stuff was like. um when we were on the live shows um we.

started to get like a a fan base and an. audience and you could see that people. were paying interest in us. Um. so, yeah, from that point on like it was. kind of a bit crazy. Like what were you even able to. comprehend it? Uh not really. I don't. think I comprehended it at all. Like I. think it's just a rush, you know? It was. like just fun. Um and then. the repetitive fun over and over again. eventually is going to take its toll, you know what I mean? So, then you look.

at a certain way when you're in that and. like it feels overbearing. Now I look. back at it like it was a rush, you know, it was it was fun. It was it was. something that was. amazing. Like so, of course I wasn't. going to understand it. It's not. something I expected in my life, but. um it was definitely fun, for sure. Yeah. Cuz it is so interesting. I think. people forget like you were 17 at the. time. Yeah, 17, yeah. Like my brother lived in. this house at 17 and was like picking. his nose and going to Wawa and like. trying to [ __ ] get girls to pay. attention to him and you were like all.

of a sudden overnight become one of the. biggest stars in the world. Can you help. us commoners over here, Zayn? Commoners. Can you help us understand like. what skyrocketing to that level of fame. can do to you as an individual when. you're like by yourself at night laying. in bed trying to understand like what is. happening to you in your life? Um yeah, you could you can definitely get into, you know, deep places of thought if you really.

reflect on it in that kind of manner. To be honest with you, I don't think I. was even like intellectually capable to. to do that at that age, you know? Like I. think it took time for me to process. them things. I think I've had to like. process it with an with an older. mind and and look at it backwards and be. like, "Yo, this was. why this happened and this is what. happened and, you know, we took off at. this point and this this interview made. this happen and then this song made this.

happen." And just decipher it, you know, as like facts rather than like in an. emotional manner cuz. um emotion like just seems to just blur. things, you know? So, I I try not to. think about them things on that kind of. level like, "Oh, I'm super famous, like, I just make music, you know, I love. singing and people seem to have an. interest in it, so. A little bit. Just a little bit. No, I. almost get where you're saying, like, you kind of have to black it out and.

just be present because if you stop to. think about all of it, then it's all. going to come. Exactly, yeah, and that's how I deal. with it. I don't black it out so much, but I just don't overthink, you know. Um. it works for me that way, I think. Yeah. You just almost have to stay. present cuz it's like, what else are you. going to do? yeah, just enjoy it. And then, like, in, you know, 10 years time, you can look. back and be like, this is what happened, yeah. Like now you can look at it in hindsight. and be like If you have 10 years time, but you know. Right. Right. If you have that luxury. Yeah, but you've had time probably now.

to be like, whoa, in your quiet moments. now in life where you can actually sit. and dissect things that at 17, 18 years. old, again, like you said, I was just. having fun. I was just going with it. And also, it's not like you were just on. this solo tour, like you were a part of. something. So, that also probably. affected of like, be a good team player, like, go with the flow, like, do what. you got to do. Um obviously, your guys'. fans are insane. They're obsessed. They're still obsessed. They're. everywhere. They love you guys. Can you.

share any, like, memorable fan moments. that you remember to this day that have. stuck with you of just like anything. that happened that you're like, damn? Um. I've I've probably said this a lot of. times, but honestly, it was one of the. craziest and and most bizarre moments. ever. Um I remember coming out of. the studio once in Sweden when we were. recording What Makes You Beautiful. And this is before even we dropped our. first single and there was like a row of. like maybe five, six bins, like, trash.

cans, like, outside of the studio. And I. came out and like every single one of. the trash cans opens and there's like. three people inside of each. And they tried to like grab me and it. was it was a very memorable moment. That. was for sure, yeah. I think I had a mini. heart attack. Humans popped out from garbage cans and. tried to grab you. Yeah. It's like a [ __ ] video game. They'll like swallow you into the. [ __ ]. What? Yeah, it's funny, man. Oh, wow. Do. you think that in any way That's.

dedication, though, right? Like to get. into a trash can, like Zayn, they were. willing to get in the trash bucket for. you. [ __ ] they are loyal. They are. Do you think that those kind. of moments, though, not that we don't. love the fans, we're obsessed, but like. people being so obsessed with you, like. is there any lingering. paranoia from people constantly staring. at you and following you? No. No, not really. I don't have. paranoia in that sense, no. That's good.

You sleep well. Yeah, I do. I sleep in Pennsylvania, you. know? Yeah, I know. Look, it's raining. I can. hear the crickets. And it's amazing. There's no There's no crazy people out. there. No one crazy in Pennsylvania. Ah, that's. debatable. You're performing in front of. massive crowds, and. I I know you're kind of saying like you. were in the moment, but like. were you able to just easily get in. front of all these people? Was there no. fear or anxiety that came with like. standing in front of thousands and. hundreds of thousands of people when.

you're on stage? Um I think there was, but I don't think. we had time for it. Like there was no. like you have time to have anxiety or be. nervous, you just kind of going to go do. it, you know? Like get on with it. Um. So, yeah, we just we kind of I think we just got. thrown into the deep end, and we kind of. just had to swim, you know? Like um. And I feel like we did a good job, like. in terms of like, you know, the. the keeping it together and and making. the music that we were meant to make. I.

think I got out the right time. I think. if I had done it any longer, it might. have affected me a bit more, but um I. think. uh we did. the right amount, you know? Yeah. I think it's interesting, too, because. when you look at. bands, or even just like any brand that. has like multiple people attached to it, like everyone loves to put archetypes. with people. Like the Spice Girls, for. example, perfect example. You have to. label everyone. And so, for a boy band, it would be like the boy next door, like. the bad boy, like the in like the.

brooding one, or the funny one. Like. what persona do you think you played? They should they make out that I was. like the the brooding serious one. Yeah. But that wasn't necessarily my. personality type. It's just I think it. just a marketing scheme, you know? You. got the Teletubbies, you've got Spice. Girls, you've got whatever. Like it's. just a marketing scheme, you know? Like. oh, this is this one. Um so, I get it. Um but I I don't I I don't think you can. define. an entire person to one personality.

trait, you know? We're a little bit more. complex than that. Um. yeah. I don't know what my trait would. have been if I'd have given myself one. It might have took a long time. to to come up with one if I was going to. do that. So, I could see why they they. just said, "Oh yeah, you can be the. mysterious one." Yeah, it's interesting. I love the Teletubby reference. You're. like the Teletubbies, the Spice Girls, One Direction. I'm like the [ __ ]. Teletubbies. Yeah. I think Si- Simon was. behind the Teletubbies, too. Stop. Was he actually? Yeah, and the Power. Rangers. Yeah.

It's so [ __ ] crazy. It's all coming. full circle. he's got a marketing plan. [ __ ] No, but it's interesting. So, I. was going to ask, like I agree, you kind. of had this like brooding mysterious. personality, and that's why I'm excited. to sit down with you today, because. again, those stereotypes that were put. on to people, I'm curious if First of. all, who comes up with that? Marketing. people, I guess. so. Yeah. It's not like the fans. It kind of. just happens. Well, yeah. And maybe some some of the. fans kind of like.

naturally said this, too, you know what. I From like pictures and things like. that, like. So, you did you agree So, you didn't. agree with it, but do you think you. leaned into it more or do you just. I think I just had one face to pull, you. know, what I mean? In my I was doing the. Zoolander. Like that was it, you know, what I mean? I was only a young kid. I. didn't know what else to do. I get it. If anything, maybe it made it. easier cuz you're like, "This is just my. lane." Yeah, just just stick with this. Don't ask me too many questions. Do you think you're mysterious? Um. not really. I just.

I just like to just like chill, you. know? Like to be in in the back a little. bit. Yeah, I'm a bit more relaxed. I'm not. like trying to like be in your face, you. know? Yeah, exactly. Okay, well, now you're solo, so you got. to jump in front, Zayn. Okay, we're. going to get there. Take the reins. Um I love how you kind of mentioned, you. know, you got out at the right time. And. I think that you leaving the band. obviously shook the [ __ ] world and. everyone was like, "Zayn, like no. Like.

keep it together." But I think what. again we forget is you're a human being. and you clearly had to take care of your. mental health and do what was best for. you. Can you I know you've lightly. talked about this, but just so we get a. full circle moment, can you just take us. back to that moment of like actually. sitting with yourself and knowing it was. time to leave? Uh yeah, I think I'd known for a minute. There was a lot of Look, I don't want to. go into. too much detail, but there was a lot of. politics going on. Um certain people were doing certain.

things. Certain people didn't want to. sign contracts. So, I knew something was. happening. Um so, I just got ahead of the curve. If. I'm being honest with you, I was like, "I'm just going to get out of here. I. think this is done." And I just seen it. Um and I completely selfishly wanted to. be the first person to go and make my. own record. Do you know what I mean? Completely honest with you, I was like, "I'm going to jump the gun here for the. first time." I'm passive dude, but when. it comes to my music and and my. business, I'm serious about it and I'm. competitive, so I wanted to be the first.

to go and do my own thing. That's That. was the reason and then there was. obviously underlying issues like within. our friendships, too. We'd been together. every day for 5 years and we'd got sick. of each other for being completely. honest. So, we were we were close, you. know, we done crazy things with each. other and that nobody else in the world. will ever understand or have them. experiences that we've shared with each. other and and I look back on it now in a. much fonder light than I would have, you. know, as I just left. Um they were great. experiences, I had great times with. them, but yeah, we just run our course.

I love that you're saying that, too, cuz. I think people can relate to that of. like if you're with the same people. 24/7, no [ __ ] And I think I can imagine. as you guys were younger, everyone was so idealizing this band. that you couldn't say that back in the. day of like, "Yeah, we got [ __ ] sick. of each other. It was time to like do. our own things." And I think that's so. okay, but because there was this. obsession, obviously, I get it. There is. For sure, yeah. It's an idea, isn't it? So, when you watch Friends, you you. don't want Joey cussing off Chandler,

you know what I mean? You want these. people to be best friends, like it's an. idea. Yeah, you want them to stay. together forever, but I also think it's. so healthy because imagine if you hadn't. ended it, then you really would have. [ __ ] hated each other. And being able. to go on your own way, also someone. always has to be the first one to leave. Exactly. And maybe it's the best thing for it, but in the time, I can imagine there's. hurt feelings. Um were you afraid of. what the world was going to think of you. when you made that decision? Uh. I don't think I was afraid. No. Um.

I just um the first thing I wanted to do. was uh call my mom. As cheesy as that sounds, I just wanted. to call her and be like, "Is it okay if I come home?" Like, is. this this is is this good? Like, and she. was like, "Yeah." So, as soon as she. said that, I was like, "Yeah, I'm I'm. good. Like, I'm I'm done. Like, I'm over. this." I don't I I really care about. what anybody else thought. That's That's. the type of person I am. Like I was. talking about earlier, I try to close. them opinions off. I'm not really the. type of person who defines myself on.

other people's opinions of myself. If. people know me and know me well, they. know who I am. Um and I spend that time on them people. and make sure that they're, you know, looked after and they get that time with. me rather than the people that I'm never. necessarily even going to see or, you. know, have a conversation with, especially if it's a negative remark, you know. Positive remarks are always. nice. I. don't really pay attention to either of. them if I'm being completely honest with. you. I just don't let it get in my head. I think that's so smart because I think. social media, even if you're not famous,

like everyone is. feeding themselves and their worth by. what other people are saying about them. And it's like, you good with your. family? And like, I don't mean family by. blood. Like, you may not. people that you have around you, yeah. Your circle, yeah. And as long as. they're good, then that's all that. matters to me, yeah. Wait, but did you not tell your mom you. were doing it? Uh did I not tell my mom. I was leaving? Yeah. No, I told her It. was like kind of spur of the moment. Like I I'd not told her beforehand like, oh, I'm thinking of leaving. Um I just called her on that day and.

that I was leaving and said I'm coming. home, is it okay? Have you still got a. bed for me? She was like, yeah. No, stop. Yeah, man. So, as long as. Yeah, my dad wasn't so cool about it. He. was like, no, no, you got to stay with. Simon. Simon's going to stay you right. Like, don't come home, stay there. Um but my mom was like, yeah, you can. come home. Please, son, come home, you. know. Oh my god, that's actually really cute. that the first person like, Mom, do you. have a bed for me? She's like, let's go. Cuz didn't you also buy your mom, one of. the first things you did with your. success is you bought her a home when.

yeah. How cool was that to be able to buy your. mom something after everything she's. done? It's a great feeling. Wild. Um okay, so. you leave the band. and. take me to when you're laying in your. mom's home, you're in bed. What were. those next couple weeks like for you. like mentally and emotionally? It was interesting. I was just trying to. get stuff together. Like I wanted to get. like a plan of action, you know what I. mean? So I was like on a bit of a. mission. I wasn't there too long. I went.

home for a little bit and then I went. back to London and started working and. stuff. That must have been so stressful, too, because I feel like I guess we see it in. various different forms, but like if you. make a jump, even if someone like quits. their job, right? They're like, I need. to prove to myself and other people that. like I now can do it. Like and so did. you put pressure on yourself when. obviously you came out being solo? Like. were you [ __ ] nervous? Yeah, for sure. It's a very different. experience standing on stage by. yourself, too. Like. it's it's a whole different workload as.

well singing 3 and 1/2 minutes of a song. completely by yourself. Like when you've. got. a song divvied between five people, you're singing a little bit of a verse, maybe some ad-libs, you know? I. preferred the workload, to be honest. Um but. it in the back. He's like, "Zayn, it's your party on the. floor." Yeah, oh yeah, nice one. Um but yeah, it. I just kind of had to like make an. adjustment. I started practicing a lot. more, singing a lot more, and just like. making sure I could sing for 3 minutes. Wait, you had to be like, "I need to get.

back to my Let Me Love You days." where. I'm like back on next factor or it's. just me. I'm curious and I don't know. cuz I know you were saying and I I. totally respect it of like you were kind. of just in this phase of going going. going and you didn't have time to stop, but when you did go solo and you left, did you have to take any moment to be. like, "Who the [ __ ] am I independent of. now not being a part of something that I. was identified as in media?". Um.

Yeah, definitely. I think that's why. I've took the time I have to like. not even necessarily do interviews and. do too much like press exposure because. I feel like we were so overexposed in. the band that like it takes a bit time. for you naturally to progress as a human. and give something else that is. interesting that you have to say. You. don't want to be sat there just saying. the same [ __ ] on repeat. You know what I. mean? Day in day out. Like I think there. should be a good healthy break in. between and that was my approach to it.

for sure. So, I feel like in terms of, you know, figuring out what your identity is as as. an artist. The only way you're going to. do that is by living. You know, you. can't just be on the conveyor belt and. expect to have any sort of experience. that's new that you're going to give. people. I love that, too, cuz I feel. like people, especially creators, there's such a. stress about taking a break. And it doesn't mean you're actually. taking a break. You could be working. your ass off. Yeah. you're just But like popping out of the.

scene. it in the spotlight. Yeah. And you did. were you able to just not have anxiety. about it cuz you're like, I know I'm. coming back, but it's like I got to just. be good at my own [ __ ] and not be. fulfilling the tabloids and everyone. else. Like, how am I on my own right. now? Exactly. Yeah, that's that was all. thought behind it for sure. doing your own solo music. And I. remember when you came out, Pillowtalk, all the good stuff. You popped off and. it's like really dope to see you coming. out with your own sound and creative and. it's you and that's exciting to know.

like you are producing this and it's not. obviously and no shade to One Direction, but like you're one of five. Like you. can't really have a full say in [ __ ]. Now this is you. When you started on. your solo. career, like was there anything that you. really wanted to make sure that you. could bring to life that maybe you. weren't able to when you were in a band? Um like creatively? Creatively, I just wanted to talk about. things, you know, that were a bit more. real like and authentic.

to situations I was going through in my. life. Like obviously certain things that. we would talk about in the band was. always very, you know, clean. cut, like just glossing over the top, not really any depth or any stories to. what's going on. Um, and that was always a a big thing. for me. Obviously, I understand again. from a marketing scheme that like the. the audience and the fan base we were. appealing to at that point was that kind. of vibe. So, it was never going to work. um.

for that kind of audience, but yeah, I. just wanted to show people that I had a. bit more depth. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I get. that cuz like even earlier you said like. you like to write poetry. And I'm like, I can only imagine how much the writing. process is therapeutic and you get to. infuse parts of yourself and your. identity, whereas that just like wasn't. in the past, which it shouldn't have. been. Like it was a band, it was great, whatever. But now you can actually. artistically exercise that part of. yourself, which must be I think it's. difficult for people to write songs even. from one one perspective, you know, like.

you there was five of us in the room. when we used to write sometimes and it. was so hard to get us all to like have. the same viewpoint and want to talk. about the same thing. So, in that sense from a creative point. it is. a lot more freeing for me. Like I can. fully get to grips with every part of. it, you know, the melody, the the story, the production, the the emotion, the. feeling that I'm trying to convey in in. each song. So, in in that sense it's. super liberating. It's cool cuz I I. think you're getting now we're getting.

to know you a little bit better now that. you are doing solo music, but do you. think. Do you think that the world even like. slightly knows Zayn yet? Um, I don't know. Um, I I tried to uh like move in a certain. way that, you know, hopefully I will. still have some juice, you know. I don't. want to don't want to give everything. all in one go. So, um, if they don't know everything.

yet, that's okay, but hopefully they get. it to know me a bit better in this. interview, you know. See, maybe. They're they're getting to see my. thought patterns. Still a little mysterious, then. Yeah, I'm trying. I'm trying. I'm trying. to be an open book. We like it. Okay, how about this? Uh-huh. Describe yourself in three. words. Describe myself in three words? Mhm. Um. Well, I'm definitely not going to use. mysterious as one of them. Um. I would say.

um. I'm a chill. funny Mhm. loving guy. All the girls watching this are like Ah. So nice. That's so nice. What's your. favorite thing about yourself? Um. I don't know. I think I I think I I like. the fact that um I'm pretty witty. Like. I'm I'm pretty smart. Like and I enjoy. that about myself, I think.

You're good company with yourself. Yeah, yeah. I. I enjoy that I'm pretty smart and I have. little laughs to myself, you know, about. that. Um what's your least favorite thing. about yourself? Um. I'm a bit sensitive sometimes. Yeah. Not in a bad way. Like yeah, I can like. take things the wrong way sometimes. I. can I'm definitely working on that. give me an example. Like I just like tend to like if. somebody says something to me, like I'll. take it the wrong way if like I really.

care about their opinion for the saying. to me. Got it. Yeah. Then you'll get upset. Yeah. I think that's good though. That. means you care. Mhm. Right? Yeah. Like I said, with the people that are close to me. Right. Do you think you at times can be. too caring in moments that you need to. learn to like I'm I'm learning to to be. to be a bit more toned with it, yeah, for sure. Little boundaries. Yeah. No, not not boundaries. Just like. I'm just learning not to. like get in my head about certain.

things, you know? Um across the board. Like I I exercise that well in terms of. like dealing with the media and things. like that, but I don't necessarily do. that too well in my personal life. sometimes. I take things so hard. Yeah. That's good though. Again, it does mean. you care. But I get then you're like, "Yeah, but then I'm over here like dying. inside. I got to like muster up the. courage to be. Then I go write a song. Yeah. Yeah. Put. that into a song, okay? Give us one that's like really sad so we. can like cry. I've got a few. Few really sad ones. Yeah. Mhm. See, this is what we need,

see? We need some cryers. We've got some. crying moments. What do you think is the. biggest misunderstanding. about you? Um. that I'm like super serious. Like that I. like just I'm like. super stern and serious, yeah, all the. time when I'm not. Like um. I'm just chill. I I know that like a lot. of people have like. um high-energy personalities and it's. just not the way I am. It's You know.

what I'm saying? I'm just a bit more. relaxed about things. It's actually nice. to be in person with you cuz I could see. in media it could come off, I get it, like serious. You're literally just. chilling. Yeah. You're relaxed. I'm just relaxed. You're cozy in your. sweater. There's thunder. There's rain. We're just. Pennsylvania. I didn't even have to. drive too far. Came to your mom's house. This is an advertisement from. BetterHelp. You guys know I am a huge. advocate for therapy. There is nothing. more important than investing in.

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about it in times and I just want to. talk to you about like how anxiety. affects your life. What has it. done in terms of playing a part in your. personal life and your career? Like just. talk to me about what you're comfortable. with. Uh yeah, so I think we kind of. touched on it a bit earlier like um. when we're talking about, you know, like. the the the the nature of our job, you. know, like the what we were doing in the. band and the the situation being on. stage in front of thousands of people. Um I think it's a really normal place to.

experience anxiety, you know, like. you're going to go and perform in front. of. you know, a lot of different people that. you don't know who they are. Um and it's not a natural thing to do, you know, in in terms of. um everyday life. You you just talk to. thousands of people, you know? Um so, it. was something that I had to, you know, learn to adjust. Um anxiety for me, I've. learned is is a feeling that now has a. word, you know? Um and I feel like for.

generations, human beings have felt it. and not really even been able to put, you know, their finger on what it is. Um. but we overcome it, you know? Um and. certain things in in life can change. your perspective things. And I think for. me, like, since I've had my daughter and. since she was born, like, the main thing in in my mind is like. trying to be a good example to her like. in terms of, you know, I can do things. and I can achieve things and I can.

overcome things and you can do this, too. Um and to let things like, you know, a. feeling stop you from doing that after. having a child feels like a really small. thing. Like, I feel like I've like. had to step up, you know, as as as a man. now or just, you know, as a person. Um. and be this example to her that doesn't. uh succumb to these feelings. That's why. I'm even doing this interview, you know? Like, I I used to get a lot of anxiety. around like having a conversation like.

this just in this kind of environment. And I want her to be able to look at me. and be like, "Yo, my dad's doing this, you know? He's He's the man. He's cool.". Yeah, he's. He's a cool guy, yeah. So, um. that's helped me a lot, for sure. That. is. so [ __ ] cool to. Obviously, my mom's a psychologist, so I. grew up and I think mental health was. not a conversation for most families and. hopefully it will be, but like, I've. watched so my mom talk to so many people.

and talk them through how to get over a. panic attack, how to get over anxiety, how to not get over it, but like, manage. it, live with it, be okay to go about. your everyday life. I think sometimes if. you don't have anxiety, people look at. people with anxiety like, "Just get the. [ __ ] over it." And I think it shows up. in everyone's lives in such different. ways. And you say. think that's the way you can look at it, you know? I think everybody's situation. is is individual. I think it takes an. individual experience then to happen for. somebody to overcome that, too, you.

know? If you think about the first time you. can recall in your life experiencing. anxiety, did you experience anxiety. prior to fame? For sure. Like, take me. to like a moment in your life where you. remember being like, "Wow, I didn't know. that was anxiety, but now I do.". Well, I enjoyed it. That was a thing. Yeah, like I enjoyed being in that. feeling. And then got to a certain. point, I think, where it just became too. much. Like, I just was was weighing on. me, that feeling of. um like anticipation and then getting.

the adrenaline and then. the. the after feeling of that, you know? Um as a young kid, I loved it. Like, I. loved being on stage and I loved. performing. It was like a free space for. me to go and be a character cuz it was, you know, I was playing a a role in some. little school performance. It was. nothing serious. Um when it became a thing that had a lot. of weight behind it in terms of, you. know, people watching and stuff, then it. you're going to have. Yeah. Um you're going to have natural feelings. of anxiety, yeah.

yeah, people staring at you, judging. you, writing about you, following you, taking pictures of you. That's a lot. Can you share with us like. in the heyday of. paparazzi and insanity, like what would. be something that would really trigger. your anxiety in those days? Um. just the idea of like, um. like not being able to just do normal. things, like to just go outside and like. walk out onto the street, you know?

Like, cuz where we lived, it was kind of. a bit crazy. And there's just people. always there, like waiting to take a. photo and stuff. And obviously. thinking about having a child and like. raising her in that environment, it was. just very claustrophobic for me. I. didn't want her to have to. be like exposed to that cuz she didn't. choose it, you know? Like it was a. choice that I made. So, I was like, "We. need to get out of here so that she can. have some chance of like a a normal. childhood, you know, where there's not. cameras flashing in her face. constantly." Let's talk about you being. a father because.

it's really cool to see you talking. about anxiety, which again I have so. much respect for even you being able to. talk about it because I know it's like. you're not that. public about your life. And that's. something that you live with every day. And to say like having a child has. helped you overcome something that is. like in your day-to-day that's like. pretty debilitating in moments. Um. yeah, but you being famous and having a. child like deciding to move your I can.

imagine you're trying to shield her from. this life that you also are still trying. to figure out. Like is it a lot? Um. I feel like. um there's there's a there's a healthy. way to do it, you know? Um I'm not necessarily trying to shield. her from it cuz she's she's going to. know, you know? She's going to get to a. certain point, she's going to have. certain level of awareness, she'll know. what's going on. Um I'm just trying to. give her an option, you know? So, it's.

like a choice for her. Like if she she. wants to be away from it, she can be out. here like cuz. I am a famous person and I get. sanctuary, you know what I'm saying? So, I feel like she um is going to have a. lot of options and whatever she wants to. do in her life, obviously I'll support. her for sure. Yeah. Okay, how has becoming a dad shifted. your priorities in life? Um.

the the crazy thing is obviously I have. her 50% of the time. So um that time I. have with her is so important because I. feel like she's growing up so fast like. So when I'm with her I don't work like. at all. I just. spend a full day with her doing things. that she wants to do like painting, Play-Doh, this, that. We go to the park, go to the theme park, go to the zoo. Like we just have fun like and I feel. like I've like. re- been.

rekindled my own childhood like through. her, you know what I'm saying? Like I. feel like we get to certain point in in. adult life where everything is kind of. vague and gray and boring. And she's. brought that color back for me for sure. Yeah. Um what is a dad quality that you've. proudly taken on that makes you laugh a. little when you think about it of like, "Oh my gosh, I can't believe I'm doing. this.". I keep being told I'm telling dad jokes. and I'm leaning into it. I'm just like. it's okay. It's cool. Like I'm using.

like Christmas cracker jokes and stuff. and it's really funny like people just. look at me like I'm a weirdo. I'm like, "Yeah, I'm a dad now. I'm allowed to. tell these jokes. You have to give me a. pass.". Wow, Vain. I didn't expect that. I'm not. going to lie. a dad joke. You're like full dad vibes. That's it. Yeah. I'm. going full. I love how you're like, "I'm fully. leaning in. There is no stopping me.". Mhm. Okay, well you haven't cracked one. here. So if you want to, you can always. give us your best. But you know, when it. feels right. We'll save We'll save that for another. time.

Okay. What is your favorite thing to do with. your daughter? My favorite thing to do. with her is. she shows a lot of signs of like. musical. intelligence already. So I just love. like playing instruments with her and. singing with her. Like I'll sing and she sings along and. she can do like good harmonies and stuff. already and she's only 2 and 1/2 like. and she harmonizes with me well and like. finishes notes, and she can hold them. for a long time. I'm like, "I think you.

might have a bit of ability, you." Um. I'm picturing the two of you playing. with Play-Doh, and you start singing, and then your daughter starts singing, and. hit these high notes like full full set. Like yeah, it's crazy. I'm like, "Yo.". Like, "Woah, you're good. You want to be. on my next album?". do this at your I didn't speak till I. was three. How old do you think? Woah. she's smart. Wow. remembers like full lyrics to songs as. well, like every word. SHE'S SMART. WOW. WE GOT A SUPERSTAR on our hands. Okay,

okay. It's interesting to hear you say. like you're singing to her, which like. uh would have loved if my dad could have. sang. He can't. Um what are you singing. to her, and like what are her favorite. songs that you sing? She loves Disney movies, so we sing a. lot Disney songs together. Sing like. "You've Got a Friend in Me" and stuff. Yeah, she. She sings it really cute. Honestly, that's really cute thinking about you. guys singing that. Um what qualities of. yourself aside from like having that. musical aspect, more like personality, like what qualities do you see from.

yourself in your daughter? I think she's she's she's funny. Like. she she's a bit of a cheeky one. Yeah, she likes to have a bit of a joke and. stuff, and. like laugh a lot. She's she's chilled out, but she loves. reading as well. Which is something I think she. definitely took from me. Like she just. has a affinity for words. Like she. remembers everything. Has becoming a parent changed your. relationship with your parents? Definitely.

Yeah, in in a. in a like respect way, you know? Like. you you just have so much respect for. the things that they've put aside for. you, you know? Like when you. realize all the sacrifices that you make. as a parent, like just to be there and. be present with your child, like you. can't have nothing but respect for that, for sure. Yeah. I know you said like obviously you. have her 50% of the time, you want to. make the most of these moments. Like. what's something that you guys have done. together recently that made you so happy. and you had like such a great time? We. went to Nickelodeon in in New Jersey.

which was. really good. I enjoyed that. I know it's. like super childish but like I I had a. lot of fun. Yeah, I think I had more fun. than uh it was good. That is so good. How is co-parenting going? Co-parenting. is is good. Yeah. Um. we. have a really good relationship for Kai. She's the. the you know the main importance. Yeah. Um so yeah, it's going well. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. I think.

Seems like uh from me. from me, yeah. Okay, so I want to ask. you. if I can ask one question. just about. like as delicately as I can go about it. I feel like I wouldn't be doing my my. job if I didn't ask about the 2021. incident. I know you can't really speak. on it. I think obviously. as a man. you like there was a lot out there said. about you and you basically took the.

high road and didn't say anything. You. kind of put out that like blanket. statement of just like I want to respect. my daughter and not say anything. Exactly, yeah. And I can imagine how. difficult it is kind of like almost a. culmination of everything we're talking. about today of like. how do you balance when something is. out there about you about your character. Mhm. that. people are reading and speculating and. saying things about you and how do you. decide when you when to speak up and.

when to like be silent and like chill on. it and not really go there? Yeah, so for. me like we were talking about earlier at. I don't tend to get involved when people. um say things online whether it's got. something to do with me or whether it. doesn't. Um because for me, my most. valuable thing that I have in life is. time. And that takes so much time in in. in a toxic environment to like explain. yourself to people and justify this and.

so I just kind of keep to myself. I knew. what the situation was. I knew what. happened. Um, and the people involved. knew what happened, too. Um, and that's. all I really cared about. Um, if. anybody, um, you know, of of a same mind would look. at the situation, I believe that you. could respect that like I just didn't. want to bring attention to anything, you. know, I just wasn't trying to get into a. negative back and forth with her, any.

sort of narrative online where my. daughter was going to look back and read. that and be able to read into it and it. would just be something that was there. was no point. Um, I I believe I dealt. with it in in the best way like um, in a. amicable, respectful way. And that's all. that needs to be said, you know. Um, yeah, just I feel like it's a lot of. negativity, you know. I can only imagine. like, first of all, no [ __ ] family is. perfect. And so to be on the stage that. you guys are on, I And like you said,

your family issues, you know, like if if. something happens in the family like I'd. rather keep that between the family, you. know, we don't we don't need a whole. audience of people and opinions cuz it's. hard enough to manage between two. I more so just also wanted to give you. the chance because I think you obviously. handled it so amicably. I also think in. doing my job like this is a podcast. where. I'm trying to support women, right? And. like reading headlines like I wanted to. hear from you obviously because hearing. you even today I don't know if like I'm.

just going to say what it is like you. have said you have 50% custody and so. anything that has we've all read online. like well if that was true then that. would have affected that. So I think. it's important to just say like. me doing my job, I just wanted to. clarify like it's not like unless you. can correct me like you don't have to. have people with you while you're with. your daughter and like visitation rights. like. no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. you have. custody of your child. Yeah, yeah. So I think it's just. important to say cuz people are reading. this [ __ ] being like Oh my you know what. I mean? sure. Yeah, and I'm super full on. Yeah,

like hands on with my child. every chance I can be. If I could get. 60% I would have it. Yeah. Yeah. Okay, let's talk about your music. Mhm. You're coming back. We're getting a. song. Tell me what inspired the song. What can we expect? Give it to us. Um yeah, so I'm working well I've been. working on. my record for a minute. and I have a single for the summer. coming out called Love Like This that's. like a standalone song.

Just a summer jam. It's a good vibe. Like yeah, it just feels like summer. That's what I think we need. need a good summer tune. just need a bop. Like Someone asked me. recently like oh like what's the song of. summer and I actually said, "You know. what? Like I'm interviewing someone and. I know they have a single coming out and. I have a feeling that could be the song. of summer." Are you. nervous to go on stage like alone? Um. I was, yeah. Like when I first started. like performing by myself I was I was.

nervous and I'm still nervous now cuz. it's been a few years that I've been on. stage but I have this like energy too. Like I I feel like I have something to. give and I want to get on stage and and. be there again and feel that. That's one. thing I can say, you know, like my my. fan base has always been supportive in. that manner. They're always just like. we're here, we've got you. Like when. you're ready, we've got you, you know, like come Yeah, yeah. to we're going to come and listen to. your tunes. So yeah, now I got to be. super super thankful for that and I'm. super grateful and I feel that love for.

sure. So I'm ready to. to prove these people right, you know. Can we expect any music inspired by your. daughter on your records? Uh yeah, definitely. Yeah, I'm um I'm doing a I. think I'm doing a record I don't think. people are really going to expect. Like. um it's a different sound for me and. it's got. some. like more narrative going on, like real. life experiences and stuff. So, yeah, my. daughter's mentioned in there a couple.

of times. Wow. I think that's going to be so. [ __ ] dope to actually hear from you. in long form, essentially, cuz an album. is in long form. Like we're going to get. to know you more, which is exciting. again because Mr. Mysterious over there, we're still trying to understand things. Um okay, what is something that you want. your fans to take away from this. interview? I'd like my fans to feel like they got. to know me a bit cuz you keep saying I'm. Mr. Mysterious. You've been open. I do. appreciate that.

no, so I'm I'm hoping they got to know. me a little bit and they they they feel. like they've seen me caught with me a. bit and you know, they're going to see. me a lot more. Like and I want them to. know that like. across the board, like I've kind of had. a a full like mental rehaul and in the. best way, thanks to my my child and you. know, being able to see things in a. different light. And um I'm going to be. a lot more present and hopefully people. are going to see me a lot more. I love. it. Yeah. Zayn, thank you so much for coming.

on Call Her Daddy. This was truly a. pleasure. Thank you for having me.