This past Friday, March 25, 2016, marked the one-year anniversary of Zayn Malik leaving the group One Direction. Coincidently, this was also the release date of his debut solo album, "Mind of Mine." (Which is either a weird coincident or some very distasteful shade).
Last year millions of One Direction fans' hearts broke (including mine) when Zayn posted on the official One Direction Facebook page claiming that he was leaving for personal reasons and to pursue other things. He said, “I have to do what feels right in my heart." He also mentioned that he wanted to do things normal 22-year-olds do. (No offense Zayn, but it doesn’t look like you’re being a regular 22-year-old. Just saying).
Many fans, also known as Directioners, were distraught. They felt as if they had been personally betrayed, specifically those who were “Zayn girls” (girls whose favorite member was Zayn). Mixed emotions of anger, sadness, and confusion filled them.
To say the least, this previous year has been an eventful one for Zayn Malik. He went from being in a boyband to becoming a soloist. From being engaged to singer Perrie Edwards from Little Mix to breaking off the engagement and dating model Gigi Hadid. From rarely ever being on social media or seen in public, to blowing up on his Twitter and attending various events. From having his hair in a quiff, to shaving it and going blonde to growing it out and dying the tips pink and then shaving it once more. I believe we could have all done with less of the drama and shade that has surfaced since his departure. Not signaling anyone out, but it takes two to tango, but in this case, I suppose it's five.
As a fellow Zayn girl myself, I can now see that him leaving One Direction was ultimately bittersweet. At first, it did hurt. It hurt profoundly. It hurt to see something you love be incomplete. To see your favorite leave it all behind as if it had never happened and not look back. Yet at the end of the day from what I can see, Zayn is happy. And definitely where he wants to be.
His first single “Pillow Talk” was an instant hit. Something about the song just drives you crazy (in a good way). This first song truly shows what kind of music Zayn wants to do. The sound is very different from One Direction. Not in a better or worse type of deal because they are in two whole different categories.
Listening to "Mind of Mine," one cannot only hear what Zayn has kept hidden for five years but who he actually is. One can try to decode what each song means or attempt to find hidden messages in the lyrics but the end of the day the only person who will truly know is Zayn.
I leave this message for Zayn (if by some reason the stars are aligned and luck is on my side).
I just want you to know that you leaving One Direction was upsetting. But I understand now that it was for the best. Your album is amazing and I am very proud to have seen your development as an artist and person these past six years. Can't wait to see you in concert, again. Keeping doing you.
Love you,
A fellow "Zayn girl."
