Zayn Malik has once again sparked conversations about love, relationships, and personal growth. On a recent episode of Call Her Daddy, the singer openly questioned whether he was ever truly “in love” with his ex-girlfriend, supermodel Gigi Hadid. Fans and media alike have been dissecting his words, reflecting on what it means to be honest about complex emotions.
The former One Direction star, now a solo artist recognized for hits like “Pillowtalk,” shared his thoughts with host Alex Cooper. Malik and Hadid, who dated intermittently from 2015 to 2021, share a 5-year-old daughter, Khai. Navigating parenthood while managing high-profile relationships has clearly influenced Malik’s reflections on love, responsibility, and personal growth.
Zayn Malik’s candid discussion is a reminder that even public figures face uncertainty in matters of the heart. From past romances to single life, he revealed a surprising openness about his journey of self-discovery and the lessons learned along the way. For fans of rap and hip hop culture, his introspection shows that vulnerability can coexist with fame and artistry.
Zayn Malik questions love with Gigi Hadid
During the podcast, Malik admitted he isn’t sure he ever experienced true love with Hadid. As he explained, “My understanding of love is always developing. At that moment in time, I might have thought it was love, but as I got older, I realized maybe it wasn't. Maybe it was lust.” He added: “I don’t feel like it was love.”
Despite his uncertainty, Malik emphasized the enduring respect and care he holds for Hadid, particularly as the mother of their child. “I will always love G, ’cause she’s the reason my child is, you know, on this earth, and I have the utmost respect for her. I will always love her, but I don’t know if I was ever in love with her.”
He reflected that if he had truly been in love at the time, he might have been a “better version” of himself, showing insight into how personal growth and reflection intersect with past relationships.
Life lessons and moving forward
Malik also discussed challenges in relationships, acknowledging mistakes from his younger years. “[I] tend to get in trouble in relationships, too, ‘cause I was young and did certain things,” Malik said. “[I] spoke to other females when I shouldn't have been, as most people do. You live and learn from it.”
The 33-year-old described life as a single adult as freeing, highlighting the autonomy and flexibility he now enjoys. “No disrespect to all the past relationships I’ve been in. No disrespect at all, it was freeing. I am that type of person who runs on my own clock, answers to myself. So, it was so freeing to me. I could just do things, make plans. Sleep until any time I want.”
His reflections underscore a balance between self-awareness, responsibility, and personal freedom, lessons that resonate deeply within the rap and hip hop community, where authenticity and self-expression are highly valued.
Relationships, parenthood, and public life
Hadid has been dating actor Bradley Cooper since 2023, going official last May on Instagram. Meanwhile, Malik continues to explore the complexities of love, fame, and fatherhood. His previous high-profile relationship with Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards from 2012 to 2015 also offers context for his understanding of commitment and self-growth.
Through candid admissions about love, lust, and personal freedom, Malik highlights that even those in the public eye navigate emotional uncertainty. His story reminds fans that personal development is ongoing, and understanding oneself often comes with hindsight and reflection.