In a rare interview, the star discusses his latest album, his relationship with fans and the strive for creative freedom.
GQ India and Spain have collaborated on a special edition featuring global music sensation Zayn Malik. For the first time since becoming a father, Zayn sits down with GQ to give a rare glimpse into his life, discusses his personal passions and shares insights into the meaning behind his latest album, Nobody is Listening.
“It is exciting to join forces with GQ India, demonstrating that the GQ brand has a universal language worldwide and speaks to its readers globally. Zayn Malik fronts this project as a talent who breaks clichés and chooses to do things his own way,” said Daniel Borrás, editor-in-chief, GQ Spain.
“Zayn Malik is a global icon whose appeal cuts through cultures, borders and languages around the world. It’s been exciting to combine forces with GQ Spain to present this exciting April cover collaboration,” said Che Kurrien, editor-in-chief, GQ India.
The Zayn Malik cover story will run exclusively in the April issues of GQ India and Spain.
Here’s a sneak peak from the exclusive GQ interview with Zayn Malik:
On spending time in lockdown
“I think the quarantine has affected me in the same way as everyone else. I am not a person that spends too much time outside home or outdoors and I like to have my own space, so that is the only advantage, other than that now it is also driving me crazy.”
On the choice of album title “Nobody is Listening”
“I feel like, in general, no one is listening at the moment. With everything going on, and in a world of unnecessarily overexposed opinions, with people yelling at each other to see who makes the most noise, I feel like no one is being heard. People love to talk, but nobody likes to listen.”
On doing things his own way
“It really is not easy to have some form of creative freedom or control. The truth is that I have to continually go against the grain when people tell me to do things a certain way, but my stubbornness and my willingness to want to do things differently help me get through it.”
On his connection with fans
“I think the key when you talk to people is that you don’t generalize, you don’t say this person is a fan or & this person is this or that, you just talk to everyone like normal people, people like you. My relationship with people is good, I like to talk to everyone equally, I don’t want to reduce anyone to just one thing. We are all people.”
On Bollywood movies
“I watch a lot of Bollywood movies – and I have many favourites. I love all the classics, I started showing them to my girl now too, and she watches them with me.”
On his favourite designers
“I’m not too concerned with names, if I like clothes, I wear them. But yes, I like Bode because the clothes are handmade and they are unique and unusual pieces.”