Zayn Malik says he was ‘never in love’ with Gigi Hadid during their six-year relationship

Zayn Malik has sparked fresh debate after reflecting on his past relationship with Gigi Hadid, saying he does not believe he was ever truly in love during their six years together.

Speaking on the Call Her Daddy podcast, the singer said his understanding of love has changed with time, adding that what he once believed to be love may, in hindsight, have been something else.

“At the time, I might have thought it was love,” Malik said. “But as I’ve grown, I’ve realised it may not have been. It could have been lust, or something else. I don’t feel it was love.”

‘I will always have love for her’

Malik was careful to separate his comments from his respect for Hadid, with whom he shares a daughter, Khai, born in 2020.

“To be clear, I will always have love for G,” he said. “She’s the reason my child is here, and I hold her in the highest regard. I will always care for her.”

However, he added that if he had truly been in love at the time, he believes he would have shown up differently in the relationship.

“If I had been in love, I think I would have been a better version of myself,” he said.

Online reaction divides fans

The comments quickly prompted mixed reactions online, with some users criticising Malik for revisiting the past publicly, while others defended his right to reassess earlier relationships.

One user wrote that Malik appeared to be “describing emotional growth rather than disrespect,” while another said the remarks felt “unnecessary given how much time has passed.”

Others noted that Malik repeatedly emphasised his respect for Hadid and his role as a co-parent, suggesting his comments were being taken out of context.

Where both are now

Malik and Hadid were in an on-and-off relationship between 2015 and 2021, during which Hadid appeared in his Pillowtalk music video. The pair separated permanently in 2021.

Hadid has since been linked to actor Bradley Cooper, with reports of the two dating since late 2023. Malik has largely kept his personal life private in recent years, focusing on music and fatherhood.