Music
Video Diaries
The Video Diaries: ZAYN
Key moments in the career of artist and ex-One Direction member ZAYN, caught on camera
Sixteen years on from his fateful X Factor audition, ZAYN is a far cry from the seventeen-year-old with the uncertain stage presence. Once a member of one of the most successful boy bands of all time, he’s since carved an impressive musical legacy as a solo artist, blending One Direction’s chart-topping pop with mature R&B, drum & bass and adult contemporary influences. From his explosive first solo track ‘Pillowtalk’ to new singles from his fifth studio album, Konnakol, ZAYN’s career has been a fascinating one to track. Ahead of The Konnakol Tour, we’re sifting back through the archives to find key moments from the star’s rise to prominence, caught on camera.
2010 – ZAYN’s X Factor audition
Nerves nearly prevented ZAYN’s career from getting off the ground, but after his mum managed to talk him into attending his X Factor audition, he showed up to perform for Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh. Just 17-years-old, polite and a little jittery, he sang ‘Let Me Love You’ by Mario. In the clip, the judges praise his raw vocal talent but tell him he needs to work on his stage presence – in the years since, he’s clearly taken the note.
Although eliminated as a solo act, ZAYN was brought back with four other teenage boys to form One Direction. The group would go on to place third on seventh season of The X Factor, signing a record deal with Syco Records after the show concluded.
2011 – ‘What Makes You Beautiful’
One Direction’s debut single reached no.1 in several countries and charted in plenty more. The group’s official introduction to the music world broke preorder records, with fans phoning radio stations and requesting the song before it had even been distributed. The track’s beachy music video positions the boys as typical teens, with a playful performance from the group and lots of endearing B-roll footage. ‘What Makes You Beautiful’ would go on to become one of the most iconic pop singles of the 2010s.
The song kicked off the next four years of ZAYN’s career – he released four albums with the group, embarked on multiple tours and enjoyed some of the greatest success of any boyband in history. However, in 2015, ZAYN shocked fans as he announced his departure from the band and prepared to embark on a career as a solo artist.
2016 – ‘Pillowtalk’
Any naysayers were silenced by the release of ZAYN’s first solo single, which due widespread praise from critics and fans. The first member of the group to release solo music, the pressure was intense, but ‘Pillowtalk’ rose to the occasion with a compelling alt R&B sound and lyrical reflections on love and intimacy. The song hit no.1 in a number of countries and was certified 3x platinum in the UK. Both the sound of ‘Pillowtalk’ and its video were bold departures from One Direction’s playbook – the video in particular leant into ZAYN’s newly adult image, starring his then-girlfriend and later mother of his child Gigi Hadid as they hang out in an erotic, psychedelic scenescape.
2016 – AMA New Artist Of The Year
One of ZAYN’s first major solo wins, the AMA New Artist of the Year Award followed seven wins for the singer as part of One Direction. “This one just says my name on it, right?” he quipped, examining the trophy, before going on to thank his family and fans.
2017 – ‘I Don’t Wanna Live Forever’
This high-profile collaboration with Taylor Swift was a major milestone for ZAYN, with the track going 2x platinum in the UK and 4x platinum in the US, and the music video racking up over 200 million views. The smouldering electropop ballad was created for the Fifty Shades franchise by ZAYN and producer Jack Antonoff initially, with ZAYN then inviting Swift onboard after she expressed her admiration for the track. The music video, shot at the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London, sees the two smashing up a hotel room.
2017 – ‘Dusk Till Dawn’
ZAYN’s collaboration with Sia remains his most watched video to date, with 2.3 billion views at time of writing. His second huge collaboration of that year, the power ballad duet sees ZAYN re-embracing his pop roots – and flexing his acting muscles in its blockbuster music video. The Casino and Goodfellas inspired creation shows him on the run from two mob groups, eventually riding off into the sunset with his mysterious accomplice, played by Jemima Kirke.
2020 – ‘Better’
The lead single from ZAYN’s third album, Nobody Is Listening, inspired one of the singer’s simpler music videos. ZAYN gets out of bed, gets dressed and mills about his room. Just one point of intrigue – some mysterious figures are watching and listening in, recording his every move. ‘Better’ coincided with another milestone in ZAYN’s career, dropping just as his ‘Pillowtalk’ music video reached a billion views.
2023 – ‘Love Like This’
ZAYN’s first solo release in over two years and his first single with Mercury and Republic Records, ‘Love Like This’ sees him weave drum & bass into his alt-pop sound to create a sleek club-ready offering. The video focuses on the track’s romantic message, with ZAYN and his love interest enjoying each other’s company at home – when they’re not cruising around on ZAYN’s motorcycle.
2025 – ‘What I Am’ Live from Mexico City
In support of his fourth studio album, Room Under The Stairs, ZAYN embarked on his huge Stairway To The Sky tour in 2024, continuing into 2025. This live moment at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City sees ZAYN performing the lead single from Room Under The Stairs to a loving crowd in the 26,000 capacity venue.
2026 – ‘Sideways’
The second single from ZAYN’s fifth album, Konnakol, is a breakup track that reflects on a loss of intimacy, with a sound that harkens back to ZAYN’s early singles in the pop-meets-R&B space. The song’s visualiser sees ZAYN alone in an apartment, processing the end of his relationship, with glimpses into his psyche and perspective. Released just a couple of months ahead of the kick-off of the UK leg of The Konnakol Tour, there’s a high chance ZAYN will be bringing this one across the country with him.
