One Direction star Zayn Malik originally auditioned for the television series The X Factor as a solo artist. Zayn almost walked out of the show at the bootcamp stage, before Simon Cowell convinced him not to. Zayn was then put together with One Direction, who are now considered the biggest boyband on the planet, and Zayn says he would have quit a long time ago without them.
Zayn Malik and the One Direction boys
Malik was talking to The Sunday Life, when he explained, "[The best thing about being in a band is] The other four lads. I’ve got four very good mates and that’s cool. We all keep each other down to earth and there’s defo no way I could have done this as a solo artist."
He added, "I would have cracked up and given it all up and gone home by now. The lads keep me grounded and it’s good to know you’re not the only person going through everything. We’re sharing every experience."
Zayn Malik with girlfriend Perrie Edwards
Zayn Malik has not exactly had the easiest of rides since becoming a global superstar. He is currently in a high-profile relationship with Perrie Edwards and has been at the centre of cheating rumours on more than one occasion.
Zayn Malik X Factor audition
