Zayn Malik's former One Direction bandmates concerned about his mental health after Liam Payne's death
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Zayn Malik's former One Direction bandmates are concerned about his mental health in the wake of Liam Payne's tragic death, according to insiders.
The 'Pillowtalk' singer decided to postpone the US leg of his Stairway To The Sky Tour over the devastating loss of Payne, who died on October 16 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Former One Direction bandmates create group chat over Zayn Malik's well-being
Sources close to the former bandmates revealed that the members have formed a new WhatsApp group dedicated to staying in touch, with a particular focus on Zayn Malik's well-being.
An insider revealed, "Liam's death has brought into sharp focus just how low someone can sink in almost plain sight and the lads have vowed that they won't let that happen again. They have all agreed to make regular contact with one another from now and Zayn is the top priority due to his vulnerabilities," as per RadarOnline.
"Zayn has struggled for years with his well-being and has even admitted that he rarely goes out if he's not feeling too great," further shared the tipster.
Originally scheduled for October and November, Malik's tour included stops in major US cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York.
In an X (formerly Twitter) post, he wrote, "Given the heartbreaking loss experienced this week, I’ve made the decision to postpone the US leg of the STAIRWAY TO THE SKY Tour. The dates are being rescheduled for January and I’ll post them as soon as it’s all set in the next few days."
"Your tickets will remain valid for the new dates. Love you all and thank you for your understanding," added Malik.
Given the heartbreaking loss experienced this week, I’ve made the decision to postpone the US leg of the STAIRWAY TO THE SKY Tour. The dates are being rescheduled for January and I’ll post them as soon as it’s all set in the next few days. Your tickets will remain valid for the…
— zayn (@zaynmalik) October 19, 2024
This postponement echoes a pattern Malik has followed, as the singer has frequently withdrawn from live performances over the years, often citing anxiety as the primary reason.
He announced the tour last month, with five dates in the US and six in the UK.
Zayn Malik struggled with an eating disorder when in One Direction
Zayn Malik's journey with mental health challenges traces back to his time with One Direction.
During those high-pressure years, he developed an eating disorder, which he later revealed was a form of rebellion against the regimented control he felt in the band.
Reflecting on this difficult period, Malik once shared, "Every area of my life was so regimented and controlled it was the one area where I could say, 'No, I'm not eating that.' Once I got over the control, the eating just came back into place, super naturally."
He added, "Once I got over the control, the eating just came back into place, super naturally . . . I came back to the UK and spent some time with my mum and got some TLC, and she cooked me food and I got back in touch, mentally, with a lot of the things I'd lost."
#Article | Zayn on his eating disorder to @TheSTStyle! pic.twitter.com/jjYZkmhZWp
— Liam & Zayn News (@TheZiamNews) March 19, 2017
These years of control and structure left Malik facing a deep struggle with anxiety, which he has been open about.
His mental health reached a critical point during his solo career when he canceled his first European solo show at London's iconic Wembley Stadium, admitting to experiencing "the worst anxiety" of his life.
Malik left One Direction in 2015 while the band was touring Asia. He said he was taking a break due to stress. One Direction went on an indefinite hiatus in 2016
Zayn Malik on overcoming anxiety and breaking stigmas surrounding men's mental health
Although Zayn Malik has since worked through many of these challenges, he is candid about how the One Direction days impacted him.
"I now have no problem with anxiety. It was something I was dealing with in the band," once said the 31-year-old, highlighting the positive impact of speaking openly about his experiences.
He noted, "People saw strength in that, and they didn't seem to expect it from a guy, but they expect it from a female, which to me is crazy," emphasizing the importance of breaking down stigmas around men discussing mental health.
In recent years, Malik has largely kept a low profile.
His life has seen significant changes since his departure from One Direction, including a high-profile relationship with supermodel Gigi Hadid, with whom he welcomed a daughter, Khai, in 2020.
The couple’s relationship ended a year later amid controversies, but Malik has continued to focus on personal growth, family connections, and his ongoing mental health journey.
The tragic loss of Payne and the evident toll of fame have reinforced a new commitment among the remaining members of One Direction to stay connected.
After Payne's death, Malik penned a heartfelt tribute to his former bandmate. He wrote, "I lost a brother when you left us, and I can’t express what I would give to hug you one last time, to say goodbye properly, and to let you know that I loved and respected you dearly. I will cherish all the memories I have with you in my heart forever."
Malik added, "There are no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated. I hope that wherever you are right now, you are good and at peace, and you know how loved you are."
