You have seen the last of this former boy band member.
You haven't seen the last of Zayn Malik.
After announcing that he's leaving One Direction earlier this week, the 22-year-old broke his silence on Friday, revealing to the British newspaper The Sun why it was time to leave the beloved boy band.
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"I did try to do something that I wasn't happy doing for a while, for the sake of other people's happiness," he tells The Sun. "It is crazy and wild and a bit mad, but at the same time I've never felt more in control in my life. And I feel like I'm doing what's right – right by myself and right by the boys, so I feel good."
He also adds that his fiance Perrie Edwards is "very supportive" about his decision.
That being said, the 22-year-old singer does admit that he feels a little guilt for leaving One Direction behind. "I feel like I've let the fans down but I can't do this anymore," Malik continues. "It's not that I've turned my back on them or anything, it's just that I just can't do that anymore because it's not the real me."
VIDEO: Nick Jonas on Zayn Malik Leaving One Direction -- 'It's a Tough World'
So what's next for this former boy band member? Malik, who seen leaving a recording studio just a day after he announced he was leaving 1D, confirmed to the publication (via People) that he is working on a solo project alongside producer Naughty Boy (a.k.a. Shahid Khan), who's worked with Sam Smith. He also revealed that he's trying out rapping. Say what?!
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Would you listen to a solo album by Zayn Malik?
