It’s been 10 years since Zayn Malik announced his One Direction exit, and he celebrated the anniversary in a heartfelt way.
During his Stairway to the Sky tour concert in Mexico City on Tuesday, March 25, Malik, 32, surprised Directioners with a performance of the band’s iconic 2014 track “Night Changes.” The song was featured on 1D’s fourth studio album, Four, which marked the last record he was featured on before he left the boy band.
“It’s the first time I sang that song in 10 years. Thank you,” Malik told concertgoers after performing the track, per social media concert footage. “That was f—ing amazing. I almost cried at one point. This is insane. Are you guys ready to have a f—ing great time tonight?”
Malik rose to fame alongside bandmates Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan and Liam Payne in One Direction, which was formed on The X Factor UK in 2010. Despite coming in third place, judge Simon Cowell signed the singers to his record label, Syco Music, and the group released their debut album, Up All Night, one year later.
One Direction released a total of five studio albums — including 2012’s Take Me Home, 2013’s Midnight Memories and 2015’s Made in the A.M. — before announcing they were taking an extended hiatus in August 2015. The break, however, turned into a permanent split by January 2016.
Malik announced his One Direction exit just months before the group’s hiatus news. “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,” he announced in a statement via the band’s social media pages in March 2015. “I’d like to apologise [sic] to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart.”
He continued, “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.”
Like his former bandmates, Malik went on to launch a successful solo career with his 2016 debut album, Mind of Mine. He released his most recent record, Room Under the Stairs, in May 2024.
Since leaving 1D, Malik faced some drama with his former bandmates, particularly Payne. Though the two exchanged not-so-nice comments about each other over the years, the artists seemingly made amends prior to Payne’s tragic death at age 31 in October 2024.
Related: Liam Payne and Zayn Malik’s Ups and Downs After Their One Direction Days
Stefania D’Alessandro/Getty Images Liam Payne and Zayn Malik experienced a series of ups and downs over the years. Both musicians were thrust into the spotlight alongside Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson while on The X Factor in 2010 to form One Direction. After releasing four albums as a group, Malik announced his departure […]
“Even you were younger than me you were always more sensible than me, you were headstrong, opinionated, and gave no f—s about telling people when they were wrong,” he wrote in an Instagram tribute to the late star. “Even though we butted heads because of this a few times, 😂 I always secretly respected you for it.”
He added, “I lost a brother when you left us and can’t explain to you what I’d give to just give you a hug one last time and say goodbye to you properly and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly. I will cherish all the memories I have with you within my heart forever.”
Malik reunited with Styles, 31, Tomlinson, 33, and Horan, 31, at Payne’s funeral in October 2024. Malik paid tribute to Payne during the first show of his Stairway to the Sky tour in November 2024. Projected onto the stage was a message that read, “Liam Payne 1993-2024. Love you bro.”
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