Zayn Malik Breaks Silence Since Leaving One Direction, Talks Solo Career

Sob, sob. We're hardly getting over the news that Zayn Malik has left One Direction, yet we're already excited about the possibility of a solo act. The 22-year old gave his first (and only) interview since splitting with the boy band, and apparently he's already working on his own music.

"It is crazy and wild and a bit mad," Malik told the British tabloidThe Sun. "But at the same time I've never felt more in control in my life. And I feel like I'm doing what's right -- right by myself and right by the boys, so I feel good."

Malik, who quit One Direction mid-tour, said he had thought about leaving the band for some time. "The main message is just that I did try to do something that I wasn't happy doing for a while, for the sake of maybe other people's happiness," he told The Sun. "I only ever tried to do it for the fans, and it was only ever for them. I'm only upset [because] I feel like I may have let them down in some sort of way."

He also denies reports suggesting that he left 1D because of tension between him and his bandmates, saying it "couldn't be more wrong." He added: "My band has been really supportive. They've been cool about it. And they understand that, you know, it's not real to me anymore."

Malik also hinted at a solo project, saying his main focus for now is "to write and relax and chill." People reports that he was spotted heading into a recording studio the day after he announced he was leaving One Direction, andRolling Stone writes that Malik has been working with producer Naughty Boy, who has collaborated with Sam Smith and Emeli Sande. Considering he was the best vocalist in the group, this can only be a good sign.

Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty