Zayn Malik Admits His Love for Ex Gigi Hadid Was ‘Maybe Lust’

Zayn Malik, the former One Direction star, recently provided a rare and blunt look into his past romance with supermodel Gigi Hadid. In a new interview, the singer reflected on their six-year on-and-off relationship.

Zayn Malik has this to say about his and ex Gigi Hadid’s relationship

Zayn Malik opened up about his personal life during a candid appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast on February 11, 2026. When asked about his past comments regarding never truly being in love, Malik stood by his statement. He explained that as he has matured and his understanding of love has change significantly.

The singer admitted that while he believed he was in love at the time, he now views those feelings differently. “At that moment in time, I might have thought it was love, but as I got older, I realized maybe it wasn’t. Maybe it was lust,” Zayn told host Alex Cooper. He noted that if it had been true love, he likely would have been a “better version” of himself during their time together.

Despite these reflections on their romantic connection, Malik was careful to show respect for his ex. He emphasized that he will “always love” Gigi because she is the mother of their five-year-old daughter, Khai. He described his current life as a single man as “freeing,” saying, “I could just do things, make plans. Sleep until any time I want.”