Zayn Malik Reveals One Direction Members Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne Were Never His Friends

Zayn Malik has once again spoken about his former bandmates and how he never truly bonded with all of them during their stint as One Direction. Although the band skyrocketed in popularity and brought the level of fame they’re enjoying now, it seems they’ve never really become close friends behind the scenes.

At least, that’s what Zayn Malik feels anyway, Vogue reported. The 25-year-old heartthrob recently revealed to the magazine that in the five years that the One Direction did tours, concerts, and everything in between, he never truly “made a single friend.”

However, Zayn Malik himself admitted that he was always quite distant with other people even before joining One Direction. “I have always been a bit like that, though – always a bit of an island. I don't like to confer with too many people.”

It can be recalled that his reason for living One Direction stemmed from the heavy restrictions imposed upon its members. Zayn Malik explains that their image was heavily controlled by those on top, mandating all five of them to maintain a "young teen boy look."

Indeed, most of their success was because they were quite the hit among teenage girls. One would only look at the sea of people in many of their concerts to see this truth, a fact that executives know all too well. But controlling Zayn Malik seems to have worn down the singer’s patience that ultimately led him to quit One Direction.

The “PILLOWTALK” singer said that he wanted to be authentic during his stay with the band, to create his own image that would make him stand out among the five. "I believe that success follows authenticity," Malik continued. "People see through fake s***. They don't want to see that; they want a real person. That's why Kanye [West] is so successful. He's speaking the truth, regardless of whomever he offends, he isn't bothered. That's admirable,” Zayn Malik said.