Flying solo: Zayn Malik parties in Hollywood as former boyband 1D announce meteoric chart success with first four-piece single
He just signed a new deal for his fledgling solo career.
So you would have thought Zayn Malik would be celebrating with a smile on his face, but the singer cut a deflated figure as he left Hooray Henry's in Los Angeles, on Friday.
Wearing a burgundy leather jacket, black skinny jeans and an open-necked top, the 22-year-old singer looked pensive as he signed autographs for a pack of waiting fans.
Scroll down for video
Why so glum? Zayn Malik cut a sombre and deflated figure as he was seen leaving Hooray Henry's in Los Angeles, on Friday
Zayn, who signed a solo contract with record label RCA Records on Wednesday, made his first appearance since news that his former band had achieved global success with their surprise new single, Drag Me Down.
But while he shocked the world when he left the boyband earlier this year, the boys - now recording as a four-piece - have made a significant comeback, with loyal support from the fanbase.
The surprise track, which was released by Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan on Friday morning, has already hit No.1 in 82 countries.
The latest release, which follows November 2014's Night Changes (the last single before Zayn's departure in March 2015), sent Twitter into a worldwide meltdown when it trended for over ten hours after the band announced the news via their own accounts.
Withdrawn: Zayn, who signed a solo contract with record label RCA Records on Wednesday, cut a dejected figure as he left the LA club amid the news that his former band had hit the big-time with their new single
No dragging THEM down! One Direction's surprise track, Drag Me Down, which was released by Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan on Friday morning has already hit no1 in 82 countries
It has been reported that 22k tweets per minute were being sent by the global 'Directioner' fanbase, and 3.2 million tweets had been posted by 3pm on Friday.
It didn't stop Zayn - who is engaged to Little Mix member Perrie Edwards - from making the most of his time in Hollywood after the signing.
Stepping out in a leather jacket and black bootcut jeans, the Bradford-born star looked every-inch a chart topping style icon.
Flashing his ever-growing collection of tattoos by wearing his button down top open to the sternum, Zayn rounded his outfit off with a pair of cool boots.
Stylish lad: Stepping out in wine-red leather jacket and black bootcut jeans, the Bradford-born star looked every-inch a chart topping style icon
Tatts ahoy! Flashing his ever-growing collection of tats by wearing his button up top open to the sternum, Zayn rounded his outfit off with a pair of black lace-up boots
Something on his mind? But while his sartorial sense was on-point, Zayn seemed preoccupied with other matters as he greeted a handful of waiting fans - signing their autograph books as he stepped into a waiting car
Hasty retreat: The Bradford born singer didn't even flash a smile as he jumped into a waiting car
But while his sartorial sense was on-point, Zayn seemed preoccupied with other matters as he greeted a handful of waiting fans - signing their autograph books and stepped into a waiting car.
There was no sign of the singer's fiancee Perrie either, as she has been busy at home in the UK promoting her own band's recent No. 1 hit Black Magic.
Earlier this week the former 1D heartthrob posted a photograph of him signing his new deal with RCA, writing that he was happy to be doing his own thing from now on.
It appeared that Zayn was taking a parting shot at his old band and management, as he took to Twitter, writing: 'I guess I never explained why I left, it was for this moment to be given the opportunity to show you who I really am! #realmusic #RCA !! ... #REALME (sic).'
Parting shot? It appeared that Zayn was taking a parting shot at his old band and management, as he took to Twitter
A REAL message: The Yorkshire lad is apparently looking forward to being the 'real' him
SOLO! Earlier this week the former One Direction heartthrob posted a photograph of him signing his new deal with RCA, writing that he was happy to be doing his own thing from now on
Missing his Mrs? There was no sign of Zayn's fiancee Perrie Edwards either, as she has been busy at home in the UK promoting her own band's number one hit Black Magic in recent weeks
- Caught on camera: Lifeguard beaten on LA beach
- Shocking footage of toddler rescued from hot car at Costco
- Amazing dancer twerks freestyle to Major Lazer's Lean On
- Bobby Brown and the Brown family leave Bobbi Kristina wake
- Bobbi Kristina's body arrives at church ahead of funeral
- CCTV captures fight that left teen girl with horrific...
- NYPD police officer wows crowds as his does the Nae Nae
- Drone footage shows extent of the drought at Lake Mead
- Family and friends gather for Bobbi Kristina Brown's funeral
- The Houston family leave wake for Bobbi Kristina in Atlanta
- Four killed after private jet crashes into Hampshire car...
- Homeowner explains why he shot drone hovering over house
- Has a poacher killed Cecil's brother? Zimbabwe park claims...
- Saved... for now: Cecil the lion's cubs are being protected...
- EXCLUSIVE: Hillary Clinton's camp fears a new 'bimbo...
- 'Whitney will haunt you from the grave': Fight breaks out at...
- Pictured: Osama bin Laden's sister who died alongside his...
- Father who shot down drone hovering over his house as his...
- Houstons and the Browns pay separate visits to Bobbi...
- EXCLUSIVE: Wife of American dentist who is in hiding after...
- Subway's disgraced spokesman Jared Fogle bragged about...
- EXCLUSIVE: American marketing executive, 39, was on a luxury...
- Newly released emails from Hillary Clinton's private server...
- The one lover more obsessed with sex than Sinatra: Ol' Blue...