When Zayn Malik talks about his music these days, there’s a new voice in the conversation—and it’s one he takes seriously.
The 33-year-old artist, who recently released his latest single “Sideways” from his upcoming album KONNAKOL, opened up about the role his daughter Khai plays in his creative process. And while she may only be five years old, her feedback is already shaping how he thinks about his work.
Speaking with SiriusXM’s The Pulse, Zayn confirmed that Khai—whom he shares with Gigi Hadid—is very much part of his audience.
“Definitely. Yeah, there’s some songs, like I’ve said a few times that I don’t want to play to her because obviously there’s cuss words and stuff in there, concepts a bit adult, but she loves my music and she definitely gives me an opinion,” he shared. “You know, she does this thing where she does like thumbs up, thumbs down, thumb sideways and if you get a thumbs up and a thumb sideways, it means it’s pretty good.”
It’s a system that’s equal parts adorable and surprisingly efficient.
“She gave me a double thumbs up for a few songs and there was like a side one for one or two, I think, that she wasn’t really into,” Zayn added.
For an artist who has spent over a decade navigating global fame—from his early days in One Direction to his solo career—the idea of being evaluated by a five-year-old might seem unexpected. But for Zayn, it’s become one of the most meaningful forms of feedback he receives.
Khai’s influence doesn’t stop at casual listening. In fact, her taste in music has directly shaped some of Zayn’s recent creative decisions—including a collaboration that fans quickly took notice of.
“She’s into TWICE. She’s into BLACKPINK, and that was kind of, you know, a big reason behind why I did the feature with Jisoo, if I’m being honest, because my daughter’s such a big fan, and I wanted to be cool, you know,” he dished. “I got some good dad points for that, so yeah. For sure. She loves it. Yeah, I’m always thinking about her when I’m making my music, and she loves singing and dancing too.”
The comment offers a rare glimpse into how fatherhood has subtly reshaped Zayn’s artistic lens. It’s no longer just about expression or audience reception—it’s also about connection, influence, and the small, everyday moments that matter at home.
And while Khai may not fully grasp the scale of her father’s career, she’s aware enough to know something is different.
“I think, you know, she’s five. She has some concept of it. I don’t think she really understands what it is, but she knows her dad’s a pop star, you know, and her dad sings, and she flexes it a little bit sometimes as a 5-year-old does, you know,” he said. “So yeah, she’s somewhat aware, but I don’t think she understands the full extent of it.”
That balance—between global superstar and everyday dad—is something Zayn has leaned into more openly in recent years. While he’s long been known for his more private nature, moments like this offer a glimpse into a different side of his life—one that feels grounded, personal, and refreshingly unfiltered.
In an industry that often prioritizes metrics, chart positions, and critical reception, there’s something undeniably compelling about an artist measuring success in thumbs up, thumbs down, and everything in between.
For Zayn, the most important review might just be the one happening at home.
