Zayn Malik says 1D forced to be happy

Zayn Malik has revealed that he was forced to be happy during his time as part of One Direction.

Malik spoke candidly about the creative frustration that led to his sensational One Direction exit earlier this year.

The 22-year-old shocked fans worldwide by quitting the band in the middle of a world tour earlier this year, and is now releasing his first solo material.

In a wide-ranging chat with The Fader, Malik revealed that he was never truly satisfied with his contribution to the hits that made One Direction a phenomenon.

“There was never any room for me to experiment creatively in the band,” he admitted.

“If I would sing a hook or a verse slightly R&B, or slightly myself, it would always be recorded 50 times until there was a straight version that was pop, generic as f**k, so they could use that version.”

He went on to say: “Whenever I would suggest something, it was like it didn’t fit us. There was just a general conception that the management already had of what they want for the band, and I just wasn’t convinced with what we were selling. I wasn’t 100% behind the music. It wasn’t me.

“It was music that was already given to us, and we were told this is what is going to sell to these people. As much as we were the biggest, most famous boyband in the world, it felt weird. We were told to be happy about something that we weren’t happy about.”

Another thing Zayne wasn’t happy with was the bands image and how they were forced to fake who they were.

“A big part of why I left the band is I made the realisation that it wasn’t actually about [being the biggest] anymore,” he said. “It wasn’t about the amount of ticket sales that I get. It was more about the people that I reach.

“I want to reach them in the right way, and I want them to believe what I’m saying. I’ve done enough in terms of financial backing for me to live comfortably. I just want to make music now.

“If people want to listen to that, then I’m happy. If they don’t want to listen to it, then don’t f**king listen to it. I’m cool with that too. I’ve got enough. I don’t need you to buy it on a mass scale for me to feel satisfied.”