Zayn Malik Was Never A Fan Of Fame

Wednesday, March 25, 2015 is a day that will live on in the hearts and minds of many teens around the world. For it is the day that Zayn Malik officially left One Direction. As someone who is a little out of 1D's main demographic, personally, I'm reminded of another, similar event in pop music: when Ginger left the Spice Girls. So, believe me Directioners, I feel your pain. That said, you guys maaaaybe should've seen this coming. Based on Zayn Malik's quotes about fame, he was never really that into the whole being-ridiculously-famous thing.

And the group's official statement about Zayn leaving echoes this. Zayn's message on One Direction's Facebook page reads,

My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band. I'd like to apologise to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall. I know they will continue to be the best band in the world.

Ya see that? "Be a normal 22-year-old?" Those aren't the words of someone who is bitter about the band or selfishly leaving for a solo career (although he might be started a solo career, too...), but rather someone who isn't that into the massive spotlight.

This is far from the first time Malik has shown he's uncomfortable with fame. Just check out these other quotes:

"You can say whatever you want about me; I'm not really bothered. But when it starts to upset people I care about or I hear about it from my mum, then that's a problem. Nasty things (were said) like I'm a terrorist, and this and that. How can you justify that? How can you call me that and get away with it?"

Malik said this in regards to people making offensive comments about himself and his family to Fabulous magazine.

So it is a little bit upsetting sometimes if you see [Harry Styles] with the weight of the world on his shoulders. It does annoy us a bit. He’s a young kid, and people are just giving him grief for no reason.

Malik said this of his bandmate Harry Styles who he called "the baby of the group," and it shows his concern with the constant pressure on the group.

You know, in the future, who knows what's going to happen? Two years ago, if anyone had told me I'd be doing half the stuff I'm doing, I wouldn't have believed it.

This interview quote from Malik in 2012 shows both his disbelief at the fame and his uncertainty about what would come.

Turning the page...

Malik tweeted the above way back in 2011, and it shows that he's not afraid to make changes.

"I go shopping all the time. I go out for food. Go out with my mates. I do everything normally but obviously Zayn is really famous so it's harder for him but we still do what we want to do."

So this quote isn't from Malik, but rather from his fiance Perrie Edwards who commented on the way he takes to fame, and made it clear that it's difficult for him.

Images: Getty Images