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Liam Payne and Zayn Malik it has seen a number of ups and downs over the years.
Both musicians werecrunch into the spotlight next to 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 had to do really for himself,” Payne said of Malik during an interview in May 2015. “That’s cool.” We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing. We wish him the best in whatever he goes into and all. We’ll just have to see what happens.”
The boy band continued without Malik, releases another record before their hiatus in December 2015.
As One Direction they went their separate ways and the boys kicked off 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 group One Direction became one of the biggest groups of 2010 after its five members — Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik — met as contestants on the reality TV series The X Factor in 2010. The singers became a group with judge Simon Cowell (…)
Keep scrolling to see the ups and downs of Payne and Malik 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 that I don’t really understand, that’s on him, so here we go,” Payne said on “The Dan Wootton Interview” podcast. “It’s very sad because One Direction it was a wonderful, wonderful time in all of our lives.”
A subtle shade towards Malik
“Zayn makes music, but he doesn’t really perform,” Payne stated “Killing It” Podcast. in April 2020. “For him, he had such performance anxiety that he just couldn’t get his head around it.”
Payne recalled watching Malik’s “really great” first solo performance after leaving the group.
“I think he’s just happy,” Payne speculated. “He likes going to the studio, making songs, but he doesn’t want to do anything that happens after that. But he streams massively.”
TikTok poke fun
In September 2021, Payne posted a now-viral TikTok poking fun at Malik’s departure from One Direction, asking fans to “see the funny side” of it.
Payne was seen saying: “Are we absolutely sure which way we’re going?” He wrote on the screen “POV of the meeting after Zayn left”.
Podcast drama
Payne admitted there were “many reasons”. he didn’t like Malik during a performance in May 2022 Logan Paul‘with The “Impulsive” Podcast. However, the “Strip That Down” singer said there are “many reasons” why he’ll “always be on (Malik’s) side” too.
Most notably, Payne referenced Mailk’s upbringing and compared their home lives growing up.
“My parents are too supportive to the point where it’s annoying at times. Zayn had a different upbringing in that sense,” Payne shared. “You can always look at the man where he’s at and say, ‘Oh yeah, whatever, that guy’s ad–‘.” But at the end of the day, once you understand what he went through to get to this point — and whether or not 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 headlines – over the years. After forming and finishing third on the UK version of The X Factor in 2010, One Direction have released four successful studio albums — (…)
During the same interview, Payne notoriously remarked that he and one of his former One Direction bandmates “hated each other” during their time in the band. (Payne’s ex-fiancée Maya Henry has since revealed he was talking about Malik.)
“Like, let’s hate each other, it was close,” he said. “There was one point where 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 One Direction riff “You & I”, which fans took as a response.
Payne’s apology
The following month, Payne appeared to respond to the podcast comments.
“Normally I wouldn’t comment on that, but when it’s your family it’s hard to let it slide,” he said shared via X in June 2022. “They mentioned a specific incident with Zayn that I responded to – but I listened, maybe I 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 that I will always, always be on his side. That’s family. Zayn is my brother and I will stand by him forever.”
Having Malik’s support
Payne also covered the comments of 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 in, I decided to look out at everybody else and I guess yeah, I took it out on everybody else, which is really bad. “
Addressing Malik by name, Payne added, “The rest of the guys really stood by me when I needed them the most, they kind of came to the rescue. Even Zayn, so I sent him a little thank you online.”
They still support each other
Payne commented on a June 2023 Instagram post that showed Malik teasing new music.
“Sounds great already,” he wrote. Malik replied, “I appreciate it bro, thanks for the love.”
Forever in His Heart
“Liam I find myself talking loudly to you and I hope you can hear me, I can’t help but selfishly think there are a lot more conversations in our lives. I have never thanked you for supporting me through the most difficult times of my life,” Malik he wrote via Instagram in October 2024, one day after Payne died in Argentina. “When I was homesick as a 17-year-old boy, you were always there with a positive outlook and a reassuring smile, letting me know that you were my friend and that I loved him.”
Malik recalled thinking that although Payne was younger than him, he was “always more sensible”, saying: “You were headstrong, stubborn and you didn’t give a f— telling 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 gushed about Payne’s musical talents, noting that she is “the most qualified in every way.” When he met Payne, he admitted that he was “a novice with no experience”. (Malik also shared a photo from their 1D days in which the two slept soundly on the way.)
“I was always glad to know that no matter what happened on stage, we could always count on you to know which way to steer the ship,” Malik wrote. “I lost a brother when you left us and I can’t explain what I would give you to hug you one last time and give you a proper goodbye and tell you that I loved and respected you dearly.
He concluded: “All the memories I have with you I will cherish in my heart forever, there are no words to justify or explain how I feel right now other than I am more devastated. I hope wherever you are you are well and at peace and know how much you are loved. I love you bro.”
Malik went on to honor Payne during a concert in November 2024. Before the encore of Malik’s show, the lights dimmed and came back on as a commemorative graphic was displayed. “Liam Payne 1993-2024,” the sign read. “I love you bro ❤️.” Malik’s song “Stardust” was playing in the background.
