10 Times Zayn Has Mentioned One Direction Since Quitting The Group

March 25 marks three years since ZAYN did the unthinkable, emotionally wounding so many when he unceremoniously walked away from one of the most lucrative musical groups in recent memory: One Direction. He’s since found solo success with the release of his debut album Mind of Mine, so in honor of that anniversary (released two years ago March 25!) we decided to take a look back at all the times Zayn’s mentioned his former bandmates since leaving the group. 

1. "To be honest, I never really spoke to Harry even when I was in the band. So I didn't really expect that much of a relationship with him when I left. And I haven't [had one], to be honest." - Us Weekly

2. "I think the boys kind of knew that wasn't my cup of tea...They would try to facilitate certain things for me so I could sing certain R&B ad-libs here and there, and that was nice." - Radio Interview

3. "There was never any room for me to experiment creatively in the band. If I would sing a hook or a verse slightly R&B, or slightly myself, it would always be recorded 50 times until there was a straight version that was pop, generic as f**k." - Fader

4. "I'm massively grateful for that, and if it wasn't for that, I wouldn't be here," Zayn said. "It's not because I'm trying to be more successful or as successful as what was going on before, because there's no comparison. I was in the biggest boy band in the world and I loved what we did as a boy band. That's what makes this so exciting for me, because I'm in control of it now." - On Air With Ryan Seacrest

5. "'The truth of it is you can think one thing about a situation and the total opposite can happen. I had every intention of remaining friends with everybody, but I guess certain phone numbers have changed and I haven’t received calls from a lot of people. I’ve reached out to a few of them and not got a reply. Certain people have pride issues, but it’s stuff you overcome in time.'" - Billboard

6. “I genuinely enjoyed [the band] and did whatever I could to be myself within that, but it’s just not where I sit as a musician. The other boys’ taste was generally indie rock. It’s good music, but I don’t f--- with it. That was never cool where I was from.” - Billboard

7. "I think I always kind of wanted to go, from the first year, really. I never really wanted to be there in the band, I just gave it a go because it was there at the time.” - Radio Interview

8. “As much as I was in that band, and I loved everything that we did, that’s not music that I would listen to. I don’t think that’s an offensive statement to make. That’s just not who I am. If I was sat at a dinner date with a girl, I would play some cool s**t, you know what I mean? I want to make music that I think is cool s**t. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for.” - Capital FM

9. "I know that musicians are seen as one-sided people a lot of the time. But we do have other elements to us as well. I didn't feel good [in 1D]. Do you know what I mean? And if you don't feel good… You need to be able to express what it is that you are. I'm free at last." - Dazed

10. “I liked the fact that there were nostalgic choices about the memories that we've shared together. … It was a positive thing. There was nothing negative. So I enjoyed it. It was nice to look back at the memories we shared together. It's cool." - on One Direction’s “History” music video, which included clips of Zayn’s time with the band, Zach Sang and the Gang

PHOTOS: Getty Images


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