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

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