Zayn Malik is facing backlash for saying he has ‘never been in love’, even when it comes to ex-partner of six years, Gigi Hadid.
The former One Direction star angered fans with his declaration that while he will ‘always love her’, he wasn’t sure his feelings for the model were ever that deep.
The pair were first linked in 2015 and welcomed their daughter, Khai, in 2020, but split for good the following year.
It’s reported that a nasty argument between Gigi’s mum and Zayn, 33, had ended the relationship, although co-parents are now on ‘amicable terms’.
Speaking to the Call Her Daddy podcast, addressing his previous comments about never loving anyone, Zayn shared: ‘My understanding of love is always developing.
‘At that moment in time, I might have thought it was love, but as I’ve got older, I’ve realised maybe it wasn’t. Maybe it was lust. Maybe it was this. Maybe it was that. I don’t feel like it was love.’
He clarified to host Alex Cooper that he will ‘always love G’ and that he has the ‘utmost respect’ for the ‘reason my child is on this Earth’.
‘I will always love her, but I don’t know if I was in love with her,’ the That’s What Makes You Beautiful singer said.
‘I do love her a crazy amount, but no, I don’t think I was in love with her at that point. Otherwise, I would have been a better version of myself.’
The duo’s relationship was incredibly high profile, and despite Zayn’s initial denials, it was made official in the music video for his first solo song, Pillowtalk.
However, their six years together were also marred by several breakups, the first of which came just seven months in.
They were spotted dating other people during breaks and even posted a split statement in March 2018, only to get back together two months later.
While the romance may not have been a fairytale, fans felt Zayn’s comments were ‘unnecessary’ and ‘humiliating’.
‘Imagine being w someone for 6 years and having his child only for him to go on a podcast and say “I don’t think I was ever in love w her” DIABOLICAL AND EVIL,’ wrote Criedfricknn on X.
‘What Zayn said about Gigi is genuinely so heartless and unnecessary, like what possessed bro to say that😭😭 ban men from podcasts,’ added venussx_.
The public nature of Zayn’s comments was the core reason many blasted his revelation as ‘disrespectful’, especially as Gigi has voiced wanting things to stay private.
She previously told Vogue: ‘There is the hard part of the world knowing this much, and thinking they know everything. And at the end of the day, we’re not interested in giving everyone our whole story.
‘What we are interested in is raising our daughter together, with so much respect for each other, and not just as co-parents, but what we’ve been through together.’
Some fans reasoned that it isn’t wrong for Zayn to realise he didn’t love Gigi, 30, but to put that feeling out into the world publicly was ‘kind of insane’.
Leojupiter333 said: ‘Saying you have the utmost respect for the woman you were with for 6 years and had a child with while simultaneously telling the entire public that you were never in love with her that entire time…… I feel awful for Gigi.’
Autmelody_ added: ‘The absolute lack of respect saying this about the mother of your child. Even if you genuinely feel that way, why share it with the world? completely disrespectful to someone you claim to have respect for. Not everything needs to be public knowledge.’
However, others felt that what he said was ‘completely fair’ as what he said ‘wasn’t that bad’, just a confirmation of what their on-and-off again romance suggested.
‘Zayn’s words feel so genuine and respectful,’ defended Aazma30. ‘Recognising that love evolves and still cherishing Gigi for the incredible mother she is that’s beautiful co-parenting energy. Proud of him for speaking his truth with kindness.’
‘Zayn and Gigi’s aesthetic couple pictures really blinded y’all into thinking they were a healthy couple,’ noted haileenated.
Since their split five years ago, the pair have continued to co-parent Khai, with Zayn confirming he has custody 50% of the time.
In her interview with Vogue, Gigi revealed: ‘Zayn and I do our custody schedules months in advance. That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t change here and there, but we help each other out and have each other’s backs.’
She said they approach their new dynamic with ‘love, and a feeling of camaraderie’.
When Liam Payne died suddenly on October 24, 2024, Gigi reportedly reached out and offered support to her ex.
Gigi is now dating actor Bradley Cooper, 50, with speculation that he has asked mum Yolanda for permission to pop the question.
Zayn confirmed on Call Her Daddy that he’s not currently looking for love and doesn’t want to be in a public relationship again.
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