Zayn says that One Direction grew “sick of each other” by the time he left the group

During the interview, Zayn goes into detail as to why he decided to leave One Direction – the popular boyband who formed on X Factor – and reveals why he chose to stay out of the spotlight for a while.

“I took the time I have to not even necessarily do interviews and do too much press exposure because I feel like we were so overexposed in the band that that’s why I took the time that I have to not even necessarily do interviews,” he said, revealing that his daughter inspired him to go on the podcast. "Since I’ve had my daughter, the main thing in my mind is trying to be a good example to her,” he said. “That’s why I’m even doing this interview, you know? I used to get a lot of anxiety around having a conversation like this. I want her to be able to look at me and be like, ‘Yo, my dad’s doing this.’”

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Zayn was the first member of One Direction to quit the group, citing in a statement that he wanted to be "normal", back in 2015, five years into the band's career. “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," he said.

He revealed that he could sense something was going on amidst the other band members, and wanted to be the first to go solo. “Certain people were doing certain things. Certain people didn’t want to sign contracts. So I knew something was happening [and] I just got ahead of the curve... I completely, selfishly wanted to be the first person to go and make my own record, if I’m being completely honest with you. I was like, 'I’m gonna jump the gun here for the first time.' I’m a passive dude, but when it comes to my music and my business, I’m serious about it and I’m competitive. So I wanted to be the first to go and do my own thing.”

Speaking to Cooper, he revealed more details about what was going on behind closed doors: "We’d been together everyday for five years and we got sick of each other if I’m being completely honest... I look back on it now in a much fonder light than I would have as I just left," he says before adding, "It was a rush, you know? It was fun and it was something that was amazing, so of course I wasn't going to understand it. It's not something I expected in my life, but it was definitely fun for sure."