Zayn Malik has addressed a viral clip in which he is seen asking a crowd blocking a hotel exit to "get the f*** out of the way." The British solo artist and former One Direction star was filmed struggling to move from his hotel to a waiting car in Manchester, England, surrounded by fans. The footage was shared by TMZ.
However, Malik, 33, has since clarified that his frustration was not directed at his fans but at "multiple fully grown men that were blocking the doors of the hotel and the car for 10 minutes not letting us or security out." In an Instagram comment on TMZ TV's account, he wrote: "Let's just get the facts straight – the fans were and always are respectful and amazing."
The comment, which had received over 43,000 likes at the time of writing, continued: "[The men] are not fans they are stalkers that show up wherever someone they want to meet is and do the same thing to everyone to try to get content. It is not safe and not OK and they ruin it for the real fans."
The "Pillowtalk" singer performed in Manchester on 24 May, a day after launching his tour in London in support of his latest album, Konnakol. Malik had previously cancelled a string of US tour dates after being hospitalised for undisclosed health issues. In a statement at the time, he thanked fans for their support and said he was "doing well."
"Thank you so much for all the support and love you've shown me on the album release and more importantly your love, prayers, and well wishes for my health," he said. "I've felt it, and it's meant the world. I've been at home recovering and I'm doing well and will be better and stronger than before."
Last month, a documentary featuring Malik and former One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson was scrapped by Netflix amid reports of an alleged physical altercation. The pair were expected to discuss their experiences of fame, personal lives, careers, and the death of bandmate Liam Payne in 2024.
However, a report in The Sun claimed the series was dropped after an incident six months ago in which Malik allegedly punched Tomlinson following a remark about his late mother. Tomlinson's mother Johanna died of leukaemia in December 2016, aged 43. The singer was reportedly left "stunned and in shock" and required medical treatment for a concussion.
Malik and Tomlinson's representatives did not respond to The Independent's requests for comment at the time. After the alleged bust-up was reported, director Nicola Marsh, who also helmed the Demi Lovato documentary Child Star, posted The Sun's front page to Instagram Stories and commented: "And there goes the last year of work."
