DIY VIRAL
Liam Payne and Zayn Malik experienced a series of ups and downs over the years.
Both musicians were tenter the spotlight alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson while on The X Factor in 2010 to create One direction. After releasing four albums as a group, Malik announced his departure from the boy band in March 2015.
“He had to do what he really had to do himself,” Payne said of Malik in a May 2015 interview. “It's good. We'll just keep doing what we're doing. We wish him all the best with whatever he gets into. We'll just have to see what happens. “
The boy band continued without Malik, releasing another record before their break in December 2015.
How One direction each went his own way and the guys rushed their solo efforts, Payne (who died at the age of 31 October 2024) offered insight into some of the group's dynamics, including his relationship with Malik.
Music superstars. Pop group One Direction became one of the biggest groups of the 2010s after its five members – Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik – met in 2010 as contestants on the reality television series The X Factor. 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 everything was “fine and good” with Malik, despite the “Pillowtalk” singer's negative comments about being in the group.
“If he feels hurt and slighted in some way, which I don't really understand, that's on him, so we're moving on,” Payne shared on “The Dan Wootton Interview” podcast at the time. “It is very sad because One Direction it was a wonderful, wonderful time in all of our lives.
Subtle shade to Malik
“Zayn makes music, but he doesn't really perform,” Payne announced on the show The Killing It Podcast. in April 2020. “He was so excited about the performance that he just couldn't keep his head down.”
Payne recalled watching Malik's “really great” first solo performance after the band left.
“I think he's just happy,” Payne mused. “He loves going to the studio, making songs, he just doesn't want to do anything that comes after that. But he streams a lot.
TikTok poke fun
In September 2021, Payne posted a now-viral TikTok that poked fun at Malik's departure from One Direction and asked fans to see the funny side of it.
Payne could be seen mouthing the words, “Are we absolutely sure which way we're going?” He wrote on the screen, “Check the meeting after leaving Zayn.”
Podcast drama
Payne admitted there were “many reasons.” he didn't like Malik during the performance in May 2022 Logan Pauls The “Impulsive” podcast. However, the “Strip That Down” singer said there are “a lot of reasons” why “he'll always be on (Malik's) side” as well.
In particular, Payne referenced Mailk's upbringing and compared their home lives growing up.
“My parents are overly supportive to the point of being annoying at times. Zayn had a different upbringing in that regard,” Payne shared. “You can always look at a man where he's at and say, 'Oh, yeah, whatever, this guy's ad.' But at the end of the day, when you realize what he's been through to get there, and also whether he wanted to be there.
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 make headlines over the years. After forming the UK version of The X Factor and coming third in 2010, One Direction released four successful studio albums – (…)
In the same interview, Payne infamously noted that he and one of his former One Direction bandmates “hated each other” during their tenure. (Pain's ex-fiancée May Henry has since discovered he was talking about Malik.)
“For example, coming to blows to hate each other, it was close,” he said. “There was a moment when there was an argument backstage and one member in particular threw me into the wall.”
Following the comments, Malik posted a since-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 seemingly addressed the podcast's comments.
“Normally I wouldn't comment on these things, but when it's your family it's hard to let it slide,” he shared via X in June 2022. “They mentioned a particular incident with Zayn that I reacted to, but in hindsight I probably didn't express myself as well as I could have.”
The social media post continued: “I said there will always be things we disagree on but I will always be on his side. It's a family. Zayn is my brother and I will be by his side forever.
Malik's support
Payne also addressed the comments on the Impulsive 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 at everyone else, and I just thought, yeah, I'm taking it out on everyone else, which is really wrong.”
Addressing Malik by name, Payne added: “The other boys really stuck by me when I needed them the most, they came through. Even Zayn as well, so I sent him a little thank you online.
Still supporting each other
Payne commented on a June 2023 Instagram post that showed Malik teasing new music.
“It already sounds great,” he wrote. Malik responded by saying, “Appreciate it bro, thanks for the love.”
Forever in His Heart
“Liam, I found myself talking to you out loud hoping you would hear me, I can't help but selfishly think there are so many more conversations in our lives. I could never thank you enough for supporting me through some of the toughest times in my life,” Malik wrote via Instagram In October 2024, one day after Payne's death in Argentina. “When I was missing home as a 17-year-old, you were always there with a positive outlook and a reassuring smile, letting me know you were my friend and that I loved you.”
Malik recalled thinking that even though Payne was younger than him, he was “always more sensible,” saying, “You were headstrong, opinionated, and you didn't tell people when they were wrong. Even though we butted heads a few times, I always you secretly respected that,” he continued.
The “Dusk Till Dawn” singer gushed about Payne's musical talents, calling him “the most qualified in every way.” He admitted he was a “newbie with no experience” when he met Payne. (Malik also shared a photo from his 1D days in which both slept sweetly on the road.)
“I'm always glad to know, no matter what happened on stage, we could always count on you to know which way to steer the ship next,” Malik wrote. “I lost my brother when you left us and I can't explain to you what I would give to hug you one last time and say goodbye properly and tell you that I love and respect you so much.”
He concluded: “I will forever cherish all the memories I have with you, in my heart there are no words to justify or explain how I feel right now except devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now, you are well and at peace and know how much you are loved. Love you bro. “
Malik went on to pay tribute to Payne at a November 2024 concert. Before Malik's encore performance, the lights went off and on as a commemorative graphic was displayed. “Liam Payne 1993-2024,” the sign read. “Love you bro ❤️.” Malik's “Stardust” was playing in the background.
DIY VIRAL
