Zain Javadd Malik, known professionally as Zayn Malik or simply Zayn, is a British singer and songwriter. Malik auditioned as a solo contestant for the British music competition television series The X Factor in 2010. After being eliminated, he was brought back to the competition to form the five-piece boy band One Direction, which went on to become one of the best-selling boy bands of all time. He left the group in March 2015 and signed a solo recording contract with RCA Records.
Malik in 2015
One Direction greeting fans in Stockholm, Sweden, May 2012
Image: Breezyparty 1
Image: Karen Green with husband Najee & Usher (cropped)
One Direction, often shortened to 1D, are an English-Irish pop boy band formed in London in 2010. The group is composed of Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and previously Zayn Malik until his departure from the group in March 2015. They became one of the best-selling boy groups of all time before going on an indefinite hiatus in 2016.
One Direction performing in Sydney on their Up All Night Tour, 2012. From left to right: Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, and Zayn Malik
One Direction on The X Factor Live tour in 2011
One Direction performing on their Up All Night Tour, January 2012
One Direction at red carpet of the Logie Awards of 2012 in Melbourne