Jack Shepherd
FORMER One Direction member Zayn Malik is publishing his autobiography, billed as the singer’s “first autobiography” by Penguin Random.
Titled Zayn, the book will be somewhat more like a scrapbook rather than a typical autobiography, consisting of Malik’s thoughts, drawings and personal photographs rather than a written narrative.
In a statement picked up by the Guardian newspaper, Malik said: “I’m going to show you as much as I can so that you can judge me on my own terms, not on what the press or anyone else says.”
As well as exploring his rise to fame and the touring years, Zayn will look into Malik’s “normal childhood” in Bradford.
Malik, 23, rose to fame in 2010 after the boyband One Direction signed to Simon Cowell’s Syco label after their appearance on the X-Factor.
Alongside Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson, the five-piece played stadiums around the world. However, due to the strenuous schedule, Malik left the group last year, releasing a solo album soon after.
Earlier this year, Malik cancelled a show due to anxiety. This month, he cancelled his Dubai October show, saying: “I’ve been working over the last three months to overcome my extreme anxiety around major live solo performances.
“I feel I am making progress, but I have today acknowledged that I do not feel sufficiently confident to move forward with the planned show in Dubai in October.”
Malik is one of several young, high-profile entertainers who have recently been open and honest about their mental health issues and how that affects their careers as performers.
Selena Gomez recently said she would be taking a career break due to the anxiety and depression she experiences as a result of her Lupus disease. Fifth Harmony’s Camilla Cabello left the stage midshow, later telling fans it was as a result of her anxiety.
– The Independent