Many parents go to great lengths to maintain their “cool” status in the eyes of their children. For Zayn Malik, that meant orchestrating a high-profile collaboration with one of his daughter’s musical idols.
During a recent sit-down on SiriusXM’s The Pulse, the former One Direction star discussed his forthcoming studio album, Konnakol. He revealed that his five-year-old daughter, Khai, plays a pivotal role in his creative process, acting as an unfiltered sounding board for his new material.
Interview host Joe “Brady” Blum questioned whether the “Pillowtalk” singer uses his daughter as a litmus test for potential hits. Zayn confirmed that Khai is indeed his most honest critic.
“She genuinely enjoys my music and never hesitates to share her perspective,” Zayn noted. He described her unique rating system involving various thumb gestures: a “thumbs up” combined with a “thumbs sideways” indicates a track is decent, while a double thumbs up signifies a total win.
According to Zayn, Khai’s influence on his career trajectory is substantial, particularly regarding his recent foray into K-pop. Her obsession with groups like TWICE and BLACKPINK directly motivated his professional choices.
“She is a massive fan of TWICE and BLACKPINK,” Zayn explained. “To be perfectly honest, that was the primary catalyst for my collaboration with Jisoo. I just wanted to be the ‘cool dad’ for a moment.”
The duo’s Billboard Hot 100 hit, “Eyes Closed,” arrived last year, shortly after Zayn took Khai to experience a BLACKPINK concert in person. The singer remarked that the partnership successfully boosted his reputation at home, earning him significant “dad points.”
As he continues to balance fatherhood with his musical evolution, Zayn is preparing for a major milestone. His fifth solo album, Konnakol, is scheduled for release on April 17. Following the launch, he will head out on the Konnakol Tour in May, marking his debut as a solo headliner in major arenas and stadiums.
Watch the full segment of Zayn discussing his daughter’s influence below:
