SunJan 12

Zayn Malik

Zayn Malik, born on January 12, 1993, is an English singer whose popularity grew immensely after his exceptional performance on the T.V. reality show “The X Factor.” Since then, there has been no going back for the ‘Bradford Bad Boy.’ The impressed judges later opted to form a group, which led to the formation of the world-famous boy group, One Direction.’ In 2015, he left the group and launched his solo debut, “Mind of Mine,” which was a huge success. Join us as we celebrate his birthday today.

Fast Facts

Nickname:

Bradford Bad Boy

Birth date:

January 12, 1993

Age:

31

Zodiac Sign:

Capricorn

Height:

5' 9"

Relationship Status:

Single

Social Media:

Background

Zain Javadd Malik, also popularly recognized as Zayn Malik or Zayn, was born on January 12, 1993, to Yaser Malik, who works as an employee, and Tricia Brannan Malik, a chef at a local elementary school in Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. He grew up with three sisters: Doniya, Waliyha, and Safaa. With his father being an immigrant Pakistani and his mother being of British and Irish descent, he experienced a few socializing challenges throughout his school days. He grew up listening to his father’s urban music recordings, and as a teenager, he began to enjoy listening to R&B, hip hop, Bollywood music, and reggae. During his school days, he penned raps and sang for the first time on stage with Jay Sean, during his visit. Nonetheless, he was heavily active in school performances throughout high school, and he boxed from the ages of 15 to 17.

Zayn began his musical career by appearing on the reality program “X-Factor.” He received positive feedback from the show’s judges but had pulled out of the competition during boot camp. However, he was granted the opportunity to continue his fight as a group, which featured Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, and Niall Horan in addition to Zayn. Thereafter, the group was called One Direction. Their debut album, “Up All Night,” was released in 2011, with the album debuting at the top of the music charts in 16 countries around the world. The single ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ garnered widespread popularity and led fans to cry with joy. The song eventually won the Brit Awards-2012. Since then, the band has not looked back and has continued to produce successes. They became the first British music band to have three albums enter the top of the Billboard 200. Afterward, in March 2015, Zayn departed the band, saying that in One Direction he’s unable to express himself in music the way he would have liked to.

His solo career began with RCA Records. In 2016, he released his first album, “Mind of Mine,” which topped several music charts, including the U.S. Billboard. In the first four days following its release, his debut song, ‘Pillow Talk,’ topped the iTunes charts in over 80 countries and was streamed over 13 million times. This song also reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making the singer the third British singer to reach this pinnacle. In December, the single ‘I Don’t Wanna Live Forever,’ from the soundtrack of the movie “Fifty Shades Darker,” was released and sung by Zayn, alongside the famous singer Taylor Swift, and it reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Zayn always made headlines when it came to his love life. The 17-year-old singer had romantic connections with two of the “X-Factor” contestants: Geneva Lane and Rebecca Ferguson. He had an affair with Perrie Edwards in 2012. They announced their engagement a year later; however, they split up in 2015. At Kendall Jenner’s birthday party in November 2015, he met supermodel Gigi Hadid. They confessed their love for each other shortly after. Zayn proposed to Gigi in December 2016, but she declined. They were together as a couple since 2017, separated several times, and in 2020, they became parents to a baby girl named Khai. While they split in 2021, they co-parent their baby daughter.

Career timeline

2010
A Star in the Making

He gets his big break in the music industry after a successful audition for the reality show, “X-Factor.”

2010
One Direction Creates Records

After winning the hearts of millions of young people, they go on to make record-breaking music, with four of their albums charting on the Billboard 100, a first in British boy band history.

2015
His Solo Album Debuts

Parting ways with the band, Zayn releases his solo album “Mind of Mine,” which charts at number one in many countries.

2016
The First Single

‘Pillowtalk’ is a huge success, topping the iTunes charts in over 80 countries and being streamed over 13 million times.

2017
Giuseppe x Zayn

He unveils a shoe collection called Giuseppe x Zayn, which he created in collaboration with footwear designer Giuseppe Zanotti.

2021
“Nobody Is Listening”

In 2020 — 2021, he releases ‘Better,’ his first solo music in over two years, from his album "Nobody Is Listening," which is his personal project.

Why We Love Zayn Malik

  1. He’s a down-to-Earth superstar

    Zayn has always been down to earth, ever since we first saw him on the “X-Factor” in 2010. And he has stayed the same since then.

  2. His vocals are to die for

    How could we not include his incredible vocals? His talent is extraordinary, and his voice might truly be described as angelic.

  3. The fashion style icon

    'The Bradford Bad Boy' can wear almost anything and look like he stepped out of a “Vogue” cover story. His fashion taste is superior.

5 Surprising Facts

  1. Zayn’s real name

    'Zayn' with a 'y' is his stage name.

  2. Heart of gold

    He can't take seeing an animal in any kind of distress: while making a video, the lads had to pull a fish out of the water, and as he saw it wiggle in the net, Zayn walked away, stating that he couldn't face seeing it struggle.

  3. Acro-aquaphobic bad boy

    He is aquaphobic, which means he is afraid of open water and cannot swim; he is also acrophobic, which means he is afraid of heights, which is why flying over oceans was most likely not his favorite activity.

  4. He loves brushing teeth

    Zayn prefers brushing his teeth before hitting the stage — he sure does care about those pearly whites of his.

  5. Professor Zayn Malik

    He had intended to get an academic degree in English, before entering the music industry, to become an English teacher.

Zayn Malik FAQs

What problems does Zayn Malik have??

Zayn has spoken openly about his struggles with anxiety and an eating disorder, admitting that “people don’t expect that from a guy.”

What is Zayn Malik's baby's name?

His daughter’s name is Khai Hadid Malik.

Who is Zayn Malik's best friend?

Niall Horan. Both of them were good friends during the time that Zayn was in the group.

Zayn Malik’s birthday dates

Year Date Day
2025 January 12 Sunday
2026 January 12 Monday
2027 January 12 Tuesday
2028 January 12 Wednesday
2029 January 12 Friday
January
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