Perrie Edwards, singer and member of the British pop group Little Mix, has spoken openly about her past relationship with Zayn Malik, the former One Direction star, describing it as “a little bit toxic” and admitting the experience left a lasting mark on her views about love.
In a recent appearance on the We Need to Talk podcast, Edwards reflected on her four-year romance with Malik, which began in 2011 and ended in 2015. She explained that because it was her first serious relationship, she believed what she was experiencing was normal.
“At the time, I thought everything we experienced in our relationship was normal because it was my first relationship, first love,” Edwards said. “I was like, ‘Oh, this is how it’s supposed to feel. It’s supposed to feel a little bit toxic in some ways. This is probably normal, right?’”
The end of the relationship was particularly difficult for her. She admitted feeling devastated and unwilling to think about future partners. “And then when I became single, I was almost thinking like, ‘I never ever want to go through that again. I didn’t even want to meet anybody,’” she recalled. “I remember thinking, ‘I’m done with men forever.’”
Her perspective shifted in 2016 when she met soccer player Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, now her fiancé. Edwards said her relationship with Malik left her with unhealthy expectations that she had to work through when starting a new chapter.
“I had so many issues in our relationship at the beginning that I probably didn’t notice at the time,” she admitted. “But now reflecting back, I’m thinking, ‘Oh, that probably wasn’t good.’ And I’ve noticed it a lot.”
Edwards credited Alex’s steady nature with helping her realize what a healthy relationship should look like, a stark contrast to her earlier experiences. Over time, she came to view her past with Malik not only as painful but also as a source of personal growth.
“I think it definitely shaped me,” Edwards said. “I think I learned a lot from the relationship.” Since then, Edwards has built a new life with Alex.
The couple welcomed their son Axel in 2021 and announced their engagement the following year. Looking back, she said her journey from heartbreak to family life has been one of learning, resilience, and newfound understanding of what she truly values in a partner.