Zayn Malik: I blushed when Taylor Swift complemented Mind of Mine

The singer said he struggled to respond to Swift's feedback
Blushing: Zayn Malik said Taylor Swift left him red-faced
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Emma Powell14 June 2016
The Weekender

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Zayn Malik has revealed he blushed when Taylor Swift complemented his debut solo album.

Malik, 23, said the US pop superstar gave him feedback on Mind of Mine but said he struggled to take a complement from Swift – who is friends with his girlfriend Gigi Hadid.

Speaking to Dazed he said: “I stick to my own bubble, as it is. Creatively and socially, I think, as I’m getting older, that’s just the way I am. I don’t get much feedback from my peers.

“I spoke a bit to Taylor [Swift]. At Gigi’s house we briefly spoke and she told me she really enjoyed the album.

“It was nice to get some feedback. She said she thought I was cool and I kind of blushed a bit and didn’t know how to take it.”

Mind of Mine topped the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100 on its release in March, but despite the success and his A-list friends the former One Direction singer said he has remained very grounded.

“I’m just staying the way that I am. I think that’s the best way to keep your sanity,” he said. “You’ve got to hold on to what you are and not let things get to your head, because if you do, that’s when everything comes crashing down terribly.”

Malik’s interview comes days after he pulled out of playing Capital’s Summertime Ball.

The Pillowtalk singer disappointed fans after cancelling his performance minutes before he was due to headline the event at Wembley Stadium.

Malik apologised and revealed that he has been battling with the "worst anxiety of [his] career".

Explaining his absence on Instagram he said: "I cannot apologise enough but I want to be honest with everyone who has patiently waited to see me, I promise I will do my best to make this up to everybody I've let down today.

"I know those who suffer anxiety will understand and I hope those who don't can empathises with my situation."

Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala 2016

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