He likes intellectual pillow talk. Zayn Malik revealed the reason why girlfriend Gigi Hadid is a good match for him, and it’s not just her supermodel good looks.
“She’s super intelligent, I think that’s why it works so well,” he said in Elle UK’s September issue. “And we do the same type of job so we get that with each other.”
The 23-year-old opened up about the other female influences in his life as well — his mom and three sisters. “I enjoyed the womanly influence,” he told the magazine of growing up in a household of women. “I have a lot of respect for women because of them. They are so strong, powerful and do everything themselves.”
The “Pillowtalk” singer has had quite the year, from his split with One Direction to his first solo album to his budding romance with Hadid. “My entire life has changed in the last year,” he said. “I’m still taking it all in. I’ve found so much out about myself. Mostly how in love with music I still was. The album is a build up of six years and never being able to express what I wanted to say. I had something to get off my chest.”
Malik got candid about why he decided to leave the insanely popular boy band, which was still at the height of its fame when he opted out. “At that time in my life I felt I had done everything I could do there, and I just needed to change it up. It didn’t feel brave,” he said. “I just don’t have it in me to feel fully secure in anything I do. I always strive towards something better. It’s why I think sometimes I come across the wrong way, a bit distant. I’m just stressed out trying to control how I’m perceived. I think about things a lot.”
The former One Direction hunk has been open about his insecurities — he canceled a show at London’s Capital Summertime Ball last month due to anxiety. Luckily, he had his girlfriend to support him through the tough times. The Victoria’s Secret model, 21, even took to Instagram at the time to praise his “bravery” and “honesty” for letting his fans know about his struggle.
As for what’s next, the “MiNd of MiNdd” crooner says he may want to try his hand at acting. “I started acting when I was in school with theatre studies and then music came after,” he revealed. “It completely stopped when I joined the band, but I’d definitely be interested if I was given the right role.”
