Zayn Malik Discusses Being a Muslim Popstar & Role Model

Zayn is currently a chart topper thanks to his new solo act and he has now discussed how being in the spotlight impacts his private life. The Muslim popstar says he prefers not to speak on politics or controversial issues publicly and wants to keep some aspects to himself, even if people try to attack him for his values:

“Generally, I try not to comment on politics or controversial issues in public because I don’t think that it’s my place. I struggle with the invasion of privacy that comes with this job. I also think one of the most negative aspects of being in the public eye is that you have no control over people’s perception of you.”

He doesn’t consider himself a role model and so doesn’t overthink his actions. He believes he simply makes music and people shouldn’t look up to him:

“I try not to take [my actions] into consideration too much because if I did, I’d never do anything. It’s a lot of pressure. I never claimed to be a role model, I just make music.”

Zayn says that to make it commercially, you have to be fake and create a spotlight persona. However, he does try to keep it real and is attempting to be himself, while disregarding what people might throw at him:

“It’s cynical to say, but I think to really ‘make it’ in a commercial sense, you have to be a bit of a faker. If you’re not going to be fake, then you need a really thick skin. You have to not give a sh-t what people think about you. You have to guide your own career and not follow other people’s expectations of what kind of artist they want you to be.”