Zayn Malik has gained a fresh perspective, and he attributes it to fatherhood.
After a few years away from the limelight, the 30-year-old former One Direction member sat down for a rare interview with Alex Cooper for the Call Her Daddy podcast, offering insights into his life as a dad.
In a preview clip for the upcoming episode, set to release today (12.07.20230), the British musician explained that he deliberately maintained a low profile as he felt he and his former bandmates had become “overexposed” following their immense global success.
“That’s why I took the time that I have to, like, not even necessarily do interviews,” Malik shared.
However, the arrival of his daughter, Khai, whom he shares with his ex-girlfriend Gigi Hadid, inspired him to open up once again.
“Since I’ve become a father, the main thing on my mind is trying to set a good example for her,” he expressed to Cooper. “That’s why I’m even doing this interview, you know? I used to experience a lot of anxiety about having conversations like this. And I want her to look at me and think, ‘My dad’s doing this.'”
He went on to disclose that his rebellious nature has softened since Khai, now 2, entered his life. “I keep getting told that I’m making dad jokes,” confessed the singer, who is gearing up to release his new single “Love Like This” on July 21. “And I’m embracing it. I’m just like, ‘It’s okay. It’s cool.'”
In September 2020, Gigi and Malik welcomed their daughter through a home birth.
“Our baby girl is here, healthy & beautiful,” Malik tweeted at the time. “To try put into words how I am feeling right now would be an impossible task. The love I feel for this tiny human is beyond my understanding. Grateful to know her, proud to call her mine, & thankful for the life we will have together x.”
Hadid also shared the news of their little one’s arrival on social media, posting a black-and-white image featuring Malik and Khai holding hands. “Our girl joined us earth-side this weekend and she’s already changed our world. So in love🥺💕,” wrote the model.
Although the couple later separated in October 2021 following an alleged altercation involving Hadid’s mother, Yolanda, they have remained committed to co-parenting Khai.
“Raising Khai together has been really smooth and natural,” Malik remarked about fatherhood in a March 2021 interview on HeartRadio’s Valentine in the Morning. “She has made it easy for us. She sleeps really well, she loves her milk.”
In a June 2021 interview with Access Hollywood, Hadid shared her joy as a mother. “The most precious moments are, I would say, the simplest ones,” the Next in Fashion host expressed. “Just witnessing her learn something new every day, whether it’s picking up a cup or putting a ball in a hole. You genuinely think they’re the most incredible, genius thing ever born.”
In September, Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik joined forces to celebrate Khai’s second birthday with a Peppa Pig-themed party. The model shared photos of the vibrant cake on her Instagram Story, giving credit to Malik for organizing the event.
“Her baba threw her the best party,” she captioned another photo, showcasing Khai from behind in a pink tie-dye dress, sneakers, and her hair in a ponytail as she reached for something on the table where her cake was placed.
