Career Timeline of Zayn Malik: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Zayn Malik, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Zayn Malik is an English singer-songwriter who gained prominence as a member of the globally successful boy band One Direction, formed on The X Factor in 2010. He departed the group in March 2015 to pursue a solo career, signing with RCA Records. One Direction became one of the best-selling boy bands of all time, and Zayn's departure marked a significant shift in his career trajectory towards independent artistry.
2010: The X Factor Audition
In 2010, Zayn Malik auditioned for The X Factor as a solo contestant before becoming part of the boy band One Direction.
2010: Audition for The X Factor
In 2010, a 17-year-old Zayn Malik auditioned for The X Factor in Manchester, eventually being grouped with other contestants to form One Direction.
November 2011: Release of Up All Night
In November 2011, One Direction released their debut studio album Up All Night in the UK and Ireland.
March 2012: International Release of Up All Night
In March 2012, One Direction's album Up All Night was released internationally and became the first UK group to have their debut album reach number one in the United States.
May 2012: Release of Up All Night: The Live Tour and Dare to Dream: Life as One Direction
In May 2012, One Direction released Up All Night: The Live Tour and the book Dare to Dream: Life as One Direction was published.
September 2012: Release of "Live While We're Young"
In September 2012, One Direction released "Live While We're Young", which reached the top ten in almost every country it charted in.
November 2012: Release of Take Me Home
In November 2012, One Direction released their second studio album, Take Me Home, which reached number one in 35 countries.
February 2013: Take Me Home Tour
In February 2013, One Direction began their second concert tour, the Take Me Home Tour, playing over 100 shows.
August 2013: Release of One Direction: This Is Us and One Direction: Where We Are
In August 2013, the 3D documentary concert film One Direction: This Is Us was released and One Direction's third book, One Direction: Where We Are: Our Band, Our Story: 100% Official, was released.
November 2013: Release of Midnight Memories
In November 2013, One Direction released their third studio album, Midnight Memories, which became the best-selling album worldwide in 2013.
April 2014: Guitar Donation to Kean's Children Fund
In April 2014, Zayn Malik donated his guitar to the Kean's Children Fund in Dundee, Scotland. The charity auctioned the guitar to raise money for iPads for the children's ward at Ninewells Hospital.
September 2014: Release of One Direction: Who We Are
In September 2014, One Direction's fourth book, One Direction: Who We Are: Our Official Autobiography, was released.
October 2014: Release of One Direction: Where We Are – The Concert Film
In October 2014, One Direction's second concert film, One Direction: Where We Are – The Concert Film, was released.
November 2014: Release of Four
In November 2014, One Direction released their fourth album, Four, which debuted at number one in 18 countries.
March 2015: Departure from One Direction
In March 2015, Zayn Malik left the boy band One Direction to pursue a solo career.
March 2015: Recording Studio and Solo Career Allusion
In March 2015, Zayn Malik was seen at a London recording studio with producer Naughty Boy, alluding to a potential solo career. An early demo of his song "I Won't Mind" was released on SoundCloud by Naughty Boy in the same month.
March 2015: Departure Announcement
On March 2015, Zayn Malik's departure from One Direction was announced, citing his desire for a normal life.
March 2015: Malik's Absence from Asian Leg of Tour
On March 2015, it was announced that Zayn Malik would be absent for the remaining shows of the Asian leg of the On The Road Again Tour due to stress.
June 2015: Leak of "No Type"
In June 2015, UK rapper Mic Righteous leaked Zayn Malik's "No Type", a cover version of Rae Sremmurd's hip hop song, featuring Mic Righteous and produced by Naughty Boy.
July 2015: Signing with RCA Records
In July 2015, Zayn Malik announced that he had signed a recording deal with RCA Records and discussed his debut solo album.
January 2016: Release of "Pillowtalk"
In January 2016, Zayn Malik released his lead single, "Pillowtalk", which debuted at number one in numerous countries, including the UK and US.
February 2016: Release of "Pillowtalk" Remix and Guest Vocals on "Back to Sleep" Remix
In February 2016, Zayn Malik released a remix of "Pillowtalk" featuring Lil Wayne and contributed guest vocals to the remix of Chris Brown's R&B song "Back to Sleep".
March 2016: Release of Mind of Mine
In March 2016, Zayn Malik released his album Mind of Mine, which received generally positive reviews for its musical direction, vocals, and production.
July 2016: Release of "Cruel"
In July 2016, "Cruel", featuring Zayn Malik, was released by British production team Snakehips.
2016: Release of Mind of Mine and "Pillowtalk"
In 2016, Zayn Malik adopted a more alternative R&B music style on his first solo studio album, Mind of Mine, and its lead single, "Pillowtalk".
2016: Inclusion in BoF500 Index
In 2016, Zayn Malik made his debut on The Business of Fashion's annual BoF500 index, which profiles the most influential people in fashion.
2016: Planned Solo Album Release
In 2016, Zayn Malik planned to release his first solo studio album under the Syco label.
2016: Sponsorship of Bradford City Box
In 2016, Zayn Malik sponsored a box at Bradford City for underprivileged children to watch football.
January 2017: Release of Giuseppe for Zayn Shoe Line
In January 2017, Zayn Malik released a shoe line with Italian footwear designer Giuseppe Zanotti. The Giuseppe for Zayn capsule collection featured four shoe styles: two boots and two sneakers.
February 2017: Versus (Versace) Spring Summer 2017 Campaign
In February 2017, the Versus (Versace) Spring Summer 2017 campaign featuring Zayn Malik and model Adwoah Aboah was released. He also co-hosted the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund's Americans in Paris annual cocktail during Paris Fashion Week.
March 2017: Release of "Still Got Time"
On 24 March 2017, Zayn Malik released the single "Still Got Time", featuring PartyNextDoor.
May 2017: Zayn x Versus Collection Release
In May 2017, Donatella Versace appointed Zayn Malik as the creative director for a men's and women's capsule collection called Zayn x Versus, which was made available to the public.
September 2017: Release of "Dusk Till Dawn"
On 7 September 2017, Zayn Malik released the single "Dusk Till Dawn", featuring Sia.
2017: Release of "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" and Autobiography
By the end of 2016 into 2017, Taylor Swift and Zayn Malik released "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" for the Fifty Shades Darker soundtrack, and Zayn wrote an autobiography titled Zayn.
April 2018: Release of "Let Me"
In April 2018, Zayn Malik released "Let Me", which was the lead single from his then upcoming album.
September 2018: Design for The Kooples
In September 2018, Zayn Malik designed a backpack line for The Kooples.
2018: Release of Icarus Falls
In 2018, Zayn Malik released his second studio album, Icarus Falls.
2019: Collaborations and Soundtrack Work
In 2019, Zayn Malik collaborated with Zhavia Ward on a cover of "A Whole New World" for the Aladdin film soundtrack. He also released "Un Mundo Ideal" with Becky G, and later a full Spanish version with Aitana. Furthermore, he collaborated with Shaed on a remix of "Trampoline", and with R3hab and Jungleboi on "Flames".
2019: Penshoppe Modeling Campaign
In 2019, Zayn Malik continued to model for Penshoppe's campaigns.
January 2020: Donation to Medical Treatment
In January 2020, Zayn Malik donated £10,000 towards a five-year-old girl's medical treatment through a GoFundMe page.
June 2020: Support for Black Lives Matter
In June 2020, Zayn Malik expressed support for the Black Lives Matter movement by sharing links to petitions and donating to the George Floyd memorial fund.
August 2020: Re-release of Icarus Falls
In August 2020, Zayn Malik re-released his album Icarus Falls, including the tracks "Still Got Time" and "Dusk Till Dawn".
September 2020: Release of "Better"
In September 2020, Zayn Malik released "Better" as the lead single from his upcoming third studio album, Nobody Is Listening. This marked his first solo release in nearly two years.
January 2021: Release of "Nobody Is Listening"
In January 2021, Zayn Malik released his third studio album, Nobody Is Listening. A week prior to the album release, he released the song "Vibez" along with the album pre-order on January 8, 2021.
September 2021: Release of Yellow Tape
In September 2021, Zayn Malik released Yellow Tape, a collection of three songs—"Grimez", "Believe Me" and "47 11"—via Dropbox, signaling a change in his musical direction towards old-school hip-hop.
October 2021: Departure from RCA
In October 2021, RCA dropped Zayn Malik from their label.
2021: Release of Nobody Is Listening
In 2021, Zayn Malik released his third album, Nobody Is Listening.
November 2022: Support for Free School Meals
In November 2022, Zayn Malik wrote a public letter to British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urging him to widen access to free school meals during the cost of living crisis, in support of an initiative by The Food Foundation.
January 2023: Signing with United Talent Agency
In January 2023, it was reported that Zayn Malik signed a new management contract with United Talent Agency for representation in music, film, and television.
July 2023: Release of "Love Like This" and signing with Mercury Records
In July 2023, Zayn Malik released "Love Like This" under Mercury Records, marking his transition to an R&B sound. It was also reported in June that he had signed with Mercury Records.
December 2023: Ambassador for Hopefield Animal Sanctuary
In December 2023, Zayn Malik became an official ambassador of the Hopefield Animal Sanctuary to promote their message and save animals in need.
February 2024: Dave Cobb Reveals Working with Zayn Malik
In February 2024, record producer Dave Cobb revealed in an interview that he was working with Zayn Malik on his upcoming album.
March 2024: Album Announcement and Pre-Order
On March 13, 2024, Zayn Malik announced his new album and its release date, and made it available for pre-order. On March 6, 2024, he released a 45-second teaser-trailer.
May 2024: Release of "Room Under the Stairs" and First Solo Live Show
In May 2024, Zayn Malik released his album "Room Under the Stairs" on May 17, 2024. He also announced his first-ever solo live show at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire in celebration of the release. The album spawned three singles: "What I Am", "Alienated", and "Stardust".
September 2025: Residency Announcement in Paradise, Nevada
In September 2025, a seven-date residency at Dolby Live in Paradise, Nevada, was announced for Zayn Malik. Produced by Live Nation and MGM Resorts International, the residency is scheduled to take place from January 20 to January 31, 2026.
January 2026: Residency at Dolby Live
From January 20 to January 31, 2026, Zayn Malik will be holding a seven-date residency at Dolby Live in Paradise, Nevada.
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