Former One Direction star Zayn Malik has publicly mocked his ex-bandmate Harry Styles during a recent performance in Las Vegas, taking a direct jab at the soaring ticket prices for Styles' upcoming world tour.
On-Stage Dig Sparks Crowd Reaction
During his Wednesday night residency show at Dolby Live at Park MGM, Malik paused between songs to address the audience. After thanking fans for attending, the Pillowtalk singer made a pointed comment that immediately captured attention.
"Hopefully the ticket prices weren't too high - just saying, anyway!" Malik declared, sparking audible gasps from the crowd before cheers and jeers erupted throughout the venue.
Band Members Join In
Members of Malik's backing band were visibly seen cheering on the controversial comment, adding to the dramatic atmosphere. The singer then quickly moved on, asking if fans wanted to hear another song, but the moment had already made its impact.
Social Media Reacts to 'Low Blow'
Footage of the incident quickly spread across social media platform X, where fans expressed mixed reactions to Malik's public dig at his former bandmate.
- One user described it as a "low blow" from Malik
- Another joked about loving "shady Zayn"
- A third critic called it "a d*** thing to say"
Background of Strained Relationship
The on-stage comment comes amid a long history of reported tension between the two former One Direction members. Malik previously revealed in a 2017 interview with US Weekly that he never really spoke to Styles even during their time together in the band.
"To be honest, I never really spoke to Harry even when I was in the band," Malik stated at the time. "So I didn't really expect that much of a relationship with him."
Different Relationships Within the Band
While his relationship with Styles appears strained, Malik confirmed he maintains contact with other former bandmates Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, and Niall Horan.
"We're in touch. Everything is on a civil level," he shared about his connections with the other members. "It's not the way it used to be, obviously, because we were spending 24 hours a day in the band and now we're growing as individual men, but we still check in."
Timing of Comments Coincides with Styles' Success
Malik's public criticism comes during a particularly successful period for Harry Styles' career. The Sign of the Times singer recently announced he will perform at this year's BRIT Awards and is preparing for a record-breaking tour.
Historic Wembley Stadium Run
Styles is set to make history with a 12-night run at Wembley Stadium during his upcoming world tour, surpassing Coldplay's previous record of ten nights last summer. The extended residency follows incredible demand that prompted the addition of six extra shows to the originally planned six-night run.
The Live Nation-promoted concerts will begin on Friday, 12 June and continue through to Saturday, 4 July, promising an unforgettable experience for fans from around the world.
Ticket Price Controversy
The specific target of Malik's criticism - ticket prices - reflects ongoing fan concerns about the cost of attending major concerts. Tickets for Styles' Together, Together tour have been selling rapidly during pre-sales ahead of the general release this Friday.
Some packages have reportedly soared above £700, leading to criticism from fans about affordability. This context adds another layer to Malik's on-stage comments, which directly referenced the financial burden on concert-goers.
Recent Band Interactions
The former One Direction members were last seen together at the funeral of bandmate Liam Payne last year, marking the first time they had been in the same room together for years. While that gathering represented a moment of unity, Malik's recent comments suggest underlying tensions persist between certain members.
Malik has previously been involved in public disputes with other band members, including a very public spat with Louis Tomlinson on social media that was said to have angered Harry Styles. However, Malik and Tomlinson later reconciled, with Tomlinson confirming they had "cleared the air and talked everything through."
Musical Differences Highlighted
The tension between Malik and Styles extends beyond personal relationships to include artistic differences. Malik previously questioned the quality of One Direction's music after leaving the band, stating in an interview: "Would you listen to One Direction, sat at a party with your girl? I wouldn't."
Styles responded to this criticism by saying, "I think it's a shame he felt that way," highlighting the divergent perspectives that have developed since the band's split.
As both artists continue their separate musical journeys, this latest public exchange suggests that while years have passed since One Direction's heyday, certain relationships within the group remain complicated and occasionally contentious.
