Zayn Malik has a nuanced outlook on his past relationship Gigi Hadid five years after their split.

The former One Direction member appeared on Wednesday’s episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, and in the interview, host Alex Cooper pressed him about his earlier claim of having never “truly been in love,” despite his high-profile romance with Hadid.

“My understanding of love is always developing,” he said. “You know, at that moment in time, I might have thought it was love, but as I got older, I realized maybe it wasn’t. Maybe it was lust. Maybe it was this, maybe it was that. I don’t feel like it was love.”

Malik and Hadid began dating in 2015 and quickly became one of young Hollywood’s most buzzed-about couples. Their daughter, Khai, was born in September 2020.

Zayn Malik says he loves Gigi Hadid but doesn’t think he was ever in love with her on ‘Call Her Daddy.’pic.twitter.com/3v81Ca5dcx

The pair went their separate ways in 2021. Around the same time, Malik pleaded no contest to four counts of harassment after getting into an altercation with Hadid’s mother, Yolanda, at the Pennsylvania home he and Hadid shared at the time.

Appearing on “The Zach Lang Show” in 2024, the singer admitted, “I don’t know if I’ve actually truly been in love at this point.”

“You look back at it with new eyes, and you’re like, ‘Well, maybe I wasn’t in love there,’” he continued, but did not mention Hadid by name.

In his “Call Her Daddy” chat, however, Malik suggested his feelings toward his ex weren’t so cut and dried.

“Just to say this on record, I will always love G, because she’s the reason my child is, you know, on this earth,” he said. “I have the utmost respect for her. I will always love her, but I don’t know if I was ever in love with her.”

Had he been in love with Hadid, he added, “I would’ve been a better version of myself.”

Since 2023, Hadid has been in a relationship with actor Bradley Cooper.

Malik’s “Call Her Daddy” interview comes weeks ahead of his long-awaited return to music. His fifth studio album, “Konnakol,” will be unveiled in April.

Performing in Las Vegas last month, Malik appeared to take a playful swipe at his former bandmate Harry Styles, who is set to drop a new album next month.

“Hopefully the ticket prices weren’t too high. Just saying!” Malik quipped to the crowd, seemingly alluding to reports of staggering ticket prices for Styles’ forthcoming Together Together Tour.

By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.