Zayn Malik Reveals His Biggest Regret on One Direction: 'I Just Took Things Too Seriously'

Zayn Malik opened up to The Zach Sang Show about his time in One Direction.

According to Malik, who left the group in 2015, he had one major regret when he was still in the group with Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, and Harry Styles.

"The main thing that I always feel bad about when I look back over my life is not enjoying the band enough," Malik admitted. "I feel like I just took things too seriously, you know?"

He also added that he's "grateful" that he can be "happier" now, nine years after leaving the band.

"I can actually enjoy things and own my own perspective a bit, you know? Like, glass half full versus it being half empty. That's my choice," he told the show host.

For Malik, he "didn't understand" the importance of "trying to be happy" when he was with the boys back then, confessing that he has "teen angst" and a "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?" Malik reflected. "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***ng negative cloud of energy."

Malik shocked millions of fans worldwide when he announced his departure from One Direction in 2015.

Capital FM reported that Malik's representative at the time said that he was pulling out of the band because of "stress and anxiety."

"My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band," Malik said in a statement as quoted by the outlet. "I'd like to apologise to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world."

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Zayn Malik, One Direction