Liam Payne and Zayn Malik It has experienced a series of ups and downs over the years.
Both musicians were RThrust into the spotlight side by side Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson While on Factor X In 2010 to form one direction. After releasing four albums as a group, Malik announced his departure from the band in March 2015.
“He had to do what he really had to do, for himself,” Payne said of Malik during a May 2015 interview. “It's okay. We're just going to keep doing what we're doing. We wish him the best of luck with whatever he goes into and his stuff. We'll just have to see what happens.”
The boy band continued without an owner, Launch another record Before they stopped in December 2015.
like one direction They went their separate ways and the men set off their individual endeavours, Payne (Who died at the age of 31 in October 2024) provided insight into some of the band's dynamics – including his relationship with Malik.
Musical stars. Pop boy band One Direction became one of the biggest groups of the 2000s 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 when judge Simon Cowell (…)
Keep scrolling to see the rise and fall of Payne and Malek over the years:
No bad blood
In 2017, Payne said all was “well and good” with Malik despite the “Pillowtalk” singer's negative comments about his presence in the group.
“If he feels hurt and disrespected in some way that I don’t really understand, that’s up to him, so here we go,” Payne shared on “The Dan Wootton Interview” podcast at the time. “It's very sad Because one direction It was a wonderful, wonderful time in all of our lives.
An invisible shadow towards Malik
“Zayn makes music, but he doesn’t really perform,” Payne stated on the show. “Murder” podcast. In April 2020. “For him, he had so much performance anxiety that he couldn’t think about it.”
Payne recalls seeing Malik's “really great” first solo performance after leaving the band.
“I think it's just kind of happy,” Payne speculated. “He loves going into the studio, making songs, but he doesn't want to do anything that happens after that. But he's got a great flow.
Tik Tok fun
In September 2021, Payne posted a now-viral TikTok video mocking Malik's departure from One Direction and asking fans to “see the funny side” of him.
Payne can be seen mouthing the words: “Are we quite sure which direction we're going in?” He wrote on the screen: “Look at the meeting after Zain’s resignation.”
Drama Podcast
Payne admitted there were “many reasons” behind this He didn't like Malik During a May 2022 appearance on Logan Paul's Impulsive Podcast.. However, the “Strip That Down” singer said there are “a lot of reasons” why he will “always stand by (Malik)” as well.
Notably, Payne referenced Milk's upbringing and compared their home life while growing up.
“My parents are overly supportive to the point where it's annoying sometimes. Zayn had a different upbringing in that sense,” Payne shared. “You can always look at a guy to see where he's at and say, 'Oh, yeah, whatever,'” Payne shared. That man…” But ultimately, once you understand what he went through to get to that point, and also 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 noted that he and the former One Direction band member “hated each other” during their time in the group. (Payne's ex-fiancée Maya Henry It has since been revealed He was talking about Malik.)
“As much as they hate each other, it was close,” he said. “There was a moment where there was an argument backstage, and one member in particular threw me against the wall.”
Following the comments, Malik posted a since-deleted video of himself singing his famous cover of One Direction's “You and I,” which fans took as a response.
Payne's apology
The following month, Payne appeared to address the podcast comments.
He added: “I don't usually comment on these things, but when it comes to your family, it's hard to let it go.” Shared via X in June 2022. “They mentioned a specific incident involving Zayn and I responded to it — but listening back, I may not have been able to express myself as well as I could have.”
He continued his social media post: “I used to say there will always be things we disagree on but I will always stand by his side. This is family. Zain is my brother and I will stand by his side forever.”
Get your owner's support
Payne also addressed the podcast's “impulsive” comments. In a July 2023 YouTube video.
“A lot of what I said came from the wrong place,” he admitted. “I was so angry about what was happening around me, that instead of looking inward, I decided to look outward at everyone and just think, yeah, I upset everyone, which is really wrong.”
Addressing Malik by name, Payne added: “The rest of the boys who really stuck by me when I needed them the most, they kind of came to the rescue. Even Zayn too, which is why I sent him a little thank you online.”
We still support each other
Payne commented on a June 2023 Instagram post that showed Malik teasing new music.
“This sounds really big,” he wrote. Malik replied, saying: “In appreciation, brother, thank you for the love.”
Forever in his heart
“Liam, I found myself speaking out loud to you, hoping you would hear me. I couldn't help but selfishly think that there are so many more conversations we need to have in our lives. I have never been able to thank you enough for supporting me through some of the most difficult times in my life.” he wrote via Instagram In October 2024, one day after Payne's death in Argentina. “When I was missing home as a 17-year-old kid, you were always there with a positive outlook and a reassuring smile letting me know that you were my friend and that I was loved.”
Malek recalls that he thought that even though Payne was younger than him, he was “always more rational,” saying, “You were stubborn, stubborn, and you didn't care about telling people when they were wrong. He continued, “Even though we fought over this many times, I always secretly respected you because of it.”
The “Dusk Till Dawn” singer spoke about Payne's musical talents, noting that he is “the most qualified in every sense of the word.” He admitted that he was an “inexperienced novice kid” when he met Payne. (Malik also shared a photo from their 1D days.) The two slept soundly on the road.)
“I was always happy to know that 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 a brother when you left us and I can't explain to you what I have to do for you. Just hug you one last time and say goodbye properly and tell you that I love and respect you very much.”
He concluded: “I will cherish all the memories I carry with you in my heart forever. There are no words to justify or explain what I feel now except beyond devastation.” I hope you are well wherever you are right now and that you are at peace and know how much you are loved. “I love you, brother.”
Malik continued to pay tribute to Payne during a concert in November 2024. Before Malik's show encore, the lights dimmed and dimmed and a memorial sketch was also shown. The sign read: “Liam Payne 1993-2024.” “I love you, brother ❤️.” Malik's song “Stardust” played in the background.
