Singer Zayn Malik on Fatherhood: ‘When You Have Kids, You Have to Set an Example’

Zayn Malik attends the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in New York City on Jan. 28, 2018. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)

British singer and songwriter Zayn Malik says becoming a father changed him, and improved his self-esteem in the process.

During a newly released clip from his interview on “The Kelly Clarkson Show,” the 31-year-old said he gained the courage to make his first-ever solo talk show appearance, all thanks to his daughter.

“I don’t think I would have been able to do this, like, three years ago,” he admits.

The former “One Direction” member turned solo artist shared that he has struggled with all that came with international fame.

Besides suffering from lack of confidence, he said, he never sought to be a public figure, but simply wanted to create music.

“The fame side of things never appealed to me. It wasn’t something I was chasing it for. I was just trying to create art, so that was something that came secondary, and I had to learn to adjust to it.”

The musician, who shares daughter Khai, 3, with ex-girlfriend and model Gigi Hadid, says every decision he now makes is with his child in mind.

“When you have kids, you have to set an example. I’ve been able to step up—and be a man or woman of your word.”

He said fatherhood has given him the motivation to take on challenges or new life experiences that he may have previously avoided, noting that “this is for her, not for me.”

Mr. Malik and Ms. Hadid had a somewhat tumultuous relationship, dating on and off for five years before calling it quits in 2021.

Meanwhile, the singer expressed how proud he is of his daughter at such a young age, boasting about her developing musical talents

“She’s got a real good retention for lyrics at the minute, and she can remember all the lyrics to all the songs she listens to … it’s a beautiful thing to see.”

Despite the former couple’s previous relationship, the singer believes not all of her musical talent was inherited from him. Speaking on “The Zach Sang Show” he credits Ms. Hadid for helping build Khai’s skillsets.

“She’s not expert-level, but she’s got a bit of rhythm when she’s hitting the drums and stuff ... her mom was actually really good at Guitar Hero on the drums and I was like ‘Maybe she got that from her mom, ‘Cause I was diabolical at it and G used to beat me all the time. I’m the musician and she beat me at this game!” he said.

Mr. Malik got his big break in 2010 after auditioning for the British music competition television series “The X Factor.”

He was eventually eliminated before being brought back to the competition alongside contestants Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Liam Payne to form the boy band “One Direction.”

They went on to become one of the best-selling boy bands of all time, selling over 50 million records and performing hundreds of sold-out shows worldwide.

“One Direction” became the first group to have its first four albums debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and hold 50 overall award show wins and 31 nominations.

Mr. Malik left the group in 2015, signing with RCA Records to pursue a solo music career. He became the first British male artist to debut at No. 1 in both the U.K. and U.S. with the release of his debut album “Mind of Mine” and hit single, “Pillowtalk” the following year.

He released his fourth studio album “Room Under the Stairs” in May of 2024, marking his first album in over three years.

During an appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, promoting its release at the time, the singer said the album is much different than his previous ones, adding his daughter inspired some songs.

“It’s got some more narrative going on, like real-life experiences and stuff. My daughter’s mentioned in there a couple of times,” he said.