Zayn Malik says he no longer suffers from the mental health issues he had while a member of One Direction.
“I now have no problem with anxiety,” said the "Pillowtalk" singer. “It was something I was dealing with in the band.”
In his autobiography, published last year, Malik opened up about his crippling anxiety and eating disorder.
“People saw strength in that,” he said in an interview with The Sunday Times Style magazine.
“And they didn’t seem to expect it from a guy, but they expect it from a female, which to me is crazy. We’re all human. People are often afraid to admit difficulties, but I don’t believe that there should be a struggle with anything that’s the truth.”
Malik added: “I think there’s a strength in expressing emotion. If you were a guy, you used to have to be really masculine, but now expressing emotion is accepted and respected.”
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The 24-year-old former 1D member said depriving himself of food was his way of keeping some control of his life.
“Every area of my life was so regimented and controlled,” he recalled of his time with One Direction. “It was the one area where I could say, ‘No, I'm not eating that.’”
Malik left One Direction in March 2015 and later released a solo album. He told Style that he’s currently working on a follow-up that is set to drop later this year.
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“They always say the second album is difficult, but so far I’m really happy with this one,” said Malik. “There are real signs of growth and development.
“Hopefully, as a human being, I’m growing too, in my knowledge and perception.”