Zayn Malik says he regrets taking things 'too seriously' while in One Direction, fans call him 'bad boy'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: In this week's episode of the Zach Shang Show, Zayn Malik expressed his remorse over not cherishing his time with the boy band 'One Direction,' acknowledging that he now finds greater happiness in his life.

The 31-year-old 'Pillowtalk' singer said he wishes he would’ve taken more time to appreciate his time with the British boy band as he thinks he "took things seriously."

What did Zayn Malik say? 

Malik, whose new album, 'Room Under the Stairs,' dropped on Friday, May 10, said, "The main thing that I always feel bad about when I look back over my life is not enjoying the band enough." 

“I feel like I just took things too seriously. I’m grateful that I’m able to be happier now. I can actually enjoy things and own my own perspective a bit. Like, glass half full versus it being half empty. That’s my choice.”

In March 2015, Malik abruptly announced that he was leaving One Direction, shocking his fans. The remaining four members of the group, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, and Louis Tomlinson, took an indefinite break later that year.

When the artists were teenagers, Simon Cowell established the group in 2010 on the UK's X-Factor.

During the interview, Malik emphasized that his younger self “didn’t understand the importance of just trying to be happy." He said, "I had this, like, teen angst thing going on chip on my shoulder. I’m like, ‘It’s really cool to be moody as f**k all the time.’ It’s not. You’re just a loser. Let’s be honest, you know what I mean?”

He added, "You should be a nice person. You should be somebody that people want to be around and enjoy being in your presence, and you should bring light to peoples’ day instead of being this f***ing negative cloud of energy.”

The pop star who previously dated supermodel Gigi Hadid for more than five years said about his love life, "I don’t know how you know what love is. That’s a really deep question. It’s hard, you know? I think love comes in many different forms. In love with somebody is a whole different, kind of complicated, you know. There’s so many different variables that go into it." 

He added, “When you ask me, ‘What is love?’ I think the reason that’s hard for me to answer that question is I don’t know if I’ve ever actually truly been in love.”

Internet reacts to Zayn Malik's confession

Several social media users gushed over Malik being open about his life, while some questioned his career. A Facebook user said, "I'm glad he has healed and is happy and is able to come back to what he loves." 

Another user said, "Am I only one that thought he was getting emotional and teary eyed when he spoke about this!?" 

A user said, "I'm so glad he's able to be happier now." Another user said, "Growth and healing are absolutely beautiful and powerful and I'm so happy for him. He seems to be in such a great space right now." 

Another user added, "All because his career is over." Another user said, "Still the bad boy." 

A user said, "I see his new album is out."

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