‘The X Factor’ UK: Zayn Malik working on solo career after One Direction exit

While we’re not sure if we are going to follow every individual step in the journey of Zayn Malik’s career right now, there is still a level of interest beyond just One Direction fans. How is someone going to readjust their life after being a part of a huge reality show like “The X Factor,” joining a band, and then becoming global megastars? This is not something you transition from easily, or in the blink of an eye.

So what is Malik doing next? It’s something that many out there predicted would happen eventually, but possibly not quite so quickly: Work on a solo album. Speaking per The Sun, Zayn admits to working in a London studio, and also explains that he stuck with the band longer than he really wanted do just because he wanted to make them happy:

“I did try to do something that I wasn’t happy doing for a while, for the sake of maybe other people’s happiness. And that was mainly the fans. I only ever tried to do it for the fans. I’m only upset [because] I feel like I may have let them down in some sort of way … That’s the main thing that I don’t want to happen. It’s not that I’ve turned my back on them or anything. It’s just that I can’t do that anymore because it’s not real to me.” 

One thing we do wonder down the road is if Zayn could benefit from doing some TV work to further his own personality along as a solo artist, almsot similar to what Cheryl Cole initially did on “The X Factor.” Having him be a judge or a guest-mentor somewhere would boost his solo profile, and show more of his personality away from the group.

What do you want to see coming up for Zayn now, and do you think he should embrace more of a TV presence? Share with a comment, and head over here to get some further TV updates on all we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: ITV.)