Zayn Malik Says He ‘Worked Hard in One Direction’ But Faced Racism

Former One Direction star Zayn Malik has hinted at experiencing racism during his time in the “white band” in a preview of his upcoming track, Fuchsia Sea. The 32-year-old singer shared a snippet of the song on Instagram on July 5, featuring lyrics that appear to reference his struggles in the globally famous boy band.

“Got my back against the wall so much they think I got a brick fascination / Do you remember every conversation?” Malik raps in the teaser. “‘Cause I have been conscious of every connotation / And while they concentrate on their elevation / I’ve got a round trip to the constellation / I’m a convert to the concert, and I did that for inflation, ‘cause I worked hard in a white band, and they still laughed at the Asian,” he sings.

Malik, who is of Pakistani heritage and was the only non-white member of One Direction, teased in his post that the full song would be released soon. The British singer rose to fame as part of One Direction after competing on The X Factor in 2010. However, in 2015, he shocked fans by abruptly leaving the group, announcing his departure on the band’s official Facebook page.

“I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band,” Malik said in a statement at the time. “I’d like to apologize to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall.”

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Since his exit, Malik has pursued a solo career, releasing hits like “Pillowtalk” and “Dusk Till Dawn.” His latest lyrics suggest deeper reflections on his experiences in the music industry, particularly regarding race and identity. Fans have reacted strongly to the preview, with many expressing support for Malik’s candidness. Others speculate whether the lyrics reference specific incidents during his One Direction days.

Neither Malik’s former bandmates nor representatives for One Direction have publicly responded to the song’s implications. Fuchsia Sea is expected to drop in the coming weeks, marking another chapter in Malik’s evolving musical journey.