Zayn Malik has always been a bit of a mystery since leaving One Direction, but he just opened up in a big way. On the latest episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, hosted by Alex Cooper, the singer shared some raw thoughts about his six-year relationship with supermodel Gigi Hadid.
The interview dropped on February 11, 2026, and it was recorded in Las Vegas during Zayn’s residency there. He even performed his new single, “Die for Me,” to wrap things up.
Fans are buzzing about his honesty, especially when he revisited a comment from 2024 where he said he wasn’t sure he’d ever been in love. This time, he tied it directly to his time with Gigi, explaining how his views have changed as he’s gotten older.
The Podcast Revelation
Zayn sat down with Alex Cooper for an hour-long chat that covered everything from his music career to his personal life. He looked relaxed, talking from his Vegas spot where he’s been performing. The conversation got deep when Alex brought up that 2024 interview on The Zach Sang Show, where Zayn first floated the idea that he might not have experienced true love.
He stood by it, saying his definition of love has shifted with time and experience. “At that moment in time, I might have thought it was love, but as I’ve got older, I realized maybe it wasn’t,” he said. He didn’t stop there, adding, “Maybe it was lust, maybe it was this, maybe it was that. I don’t feel like it was love.” But Zayn was quick to show respect for Gigi.
He emphasized that he has a “crazy amount” of love for her because she’s the mother of their daughter, Khai, who turns six in September. “To be fair, just to say this on the record, I will always love G, because she is the reason my child is on this Earth, and I have the utmost respect for her,” he told Alex. “I will always love her, but I don’t know if I was ever in love with her.”
This mix of honesty and kindness shows how much he’s reflected on their time together. He even noted that if it had been real love, he probably would have shown up as a “better version” of himself during the relationship.
Recalling Their High-Profile Romance
Zayn and Gigi’s story started back in late 2015, right after he left One Direction and she ended things with Joe Jonas. They quickly became one of those couples everyone followed, with red carpet appearances and social media posts that screamed romance. In 2016, Gigi starred in Zayn’s “Pillowtalk” music video, which was a huge hit and showed off their chemistry. They did a joint Vogue photoshoot that same year, posing in Italy and looking like the ultimate power couple.
Things weren’t always smooth, though. They broke up in March 2018, only to get back together by June. Then came another split in January 2019, followed by a reunion a month later. Through it all, they kept things mostly private, but fans pieced together the ups and downs from paparazzi shots and subtle Instagram hints.
The biggest milestone was in 2020 when they welcomed Khai. Gigi shared pregnancy photos, and Zayn posted about becoming a dad, calling it the best thing ever. Their final split came in October 2021 after a reported family dispute, but they’ve stayed focused on co-parenting since then.
Lust Isn’t Love
What makes Zayn’s comments stand out is how he breaks down the difference between love and other feelings. He explained that back then, he thought what he felt was love, but now he sees it differently.
“My understanding of love has evolved with age,” he said, reflecting on how time changes perspectives. This isn’t about throwing shade; it’s Zayn owning his growth. He mentioned that real love would have pushed him to be better, hinting at regrets without dwelling on them.
Fans have mixed feelings about this take. Some see it as a bold admission, appreciating how he separates romantic love from the deep care he has for Gigi as a co-parent. Others think it’s a bit harsh, especially since they’ve built a family together.
One online commenter noted it’s mature to recognize emotions like lust or admiration in hindsight, while another called it insensitive given their history. Zayn’s words spark conversations about how relationships can feel one way in the moment and look different later.
Co-Parenting Khai and Looking Ahead
These days, Zayn and Gigi seem solid when it comes to raising Khai. They split time with her, and Zayn has shared funny stories about parenting. In the podcast, he laughed about a time Gigi called him out for letting Khai interact with his chickens on his Pennsylvania farm too much, saying she gave him “shit” over it. He lives a quieter life there, focusing on music and family away from the spotlight.
Gigi, meanwhile, has been busy with her modeling career and has dated others, like actor Bradley Cooper in recent years, but she keeps things low-key too. Zayn talked about enjoying single life, calling it “freeing.” He’s gearing up for his fifth album, Konnakol, set for release on April 17, 2026, and just dropped “Die for Me.”
He mentioned dipping his toe back into dating, even joking about Tinder, but he’s in no rush. For Gigi, life post-split includes high-profile gigs and time with Khai, who she often shields from the public eye.
This interview shows Zayn in a reflective mode, processing his past while moving forward. It’s a reminder that even celebrity relationships are messy and human, full of lessons learned along the way. Whether fans agree with his take or not, it’s clear Zayn values honesty, and that’s keeping the conversation going.
What do you think?