'It's a therapy session': Zayn Malik reveals songwriting helps 'alleviate what's on his mind' as gets candid in rare live radio interview

Published: 15:52 GMT, 13 December 2016 | Updated: 17:03 GMT, 13 December 2016

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He has cancelled several solo performances due to his struggles with anxiety.

But Zayn Malik got candid during a rare live radio interview in America on Tuesday.

The former One Direction star, 23, spoke about his upbringing, his musical influences and how songwriting eases his negative thoughts during a candid chat with New York DJ Elvis Duran.

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Candid: Zayn Malik got candid during a rare live radio interview in America on Tuesday

Talking about his experience when creating new music, the singer reveals that the process helps him clear his mind.

He said: 'It normally comes to me in lyrics, and I'll develop a melody afterwards.

'There is not one writer in particular (that I'm influenced by), but I am into a lot of older music. A lot of my dads old 90s R&B.

'I feel like writing anything down is a little bit of a therapy process. It's alleviating what's on your mind.'

Opening up: The former One Direction star, 23, spoke about his upbringing, his musical influences and how songwriting eases his negative thoughts during a candid chat with New York DJ Elvis Duran

System: Talking about his experience when creating new music, the singer reveals that the process helps him clear his mind

Influences: The star also revealed that he first fell in love with music while listening to his dad's 1990s R&B

Roots: Zayn also revealed how his humble upbringing in Bradford, England has helped him keep his feet on the ground

Making an effort: It was a rare live interview for the singer, who has had a well documented battle with anxiety issues, dropping out of Capital Summertime Ball at the last minute in June

The singer has had a well documented battle with anxiety issues, dropping out of Capital Summertime Ball at the last minute in June.

Zayn also revealed how his humble upbringing in Bradford, England has helped him keep his feet on the ground.

He added: I'm really grateful for my parents.

'I feel like where I'm from people are very easily ready to pull you down to the earth when you get big headed.'

As for being solo instead of having four bandmates to support him onstage, he continued: 'I'm enjoying what I'm doing at the minute,there were times when I was in the band that I needed time away to get my thoughts.

'I feel myself growing every day as a person, growing older and wiser.'

Not such a group effort: As for being solo instead of having four bandmates to support him onstage, he said that he 'needed to get away from his thoughts' while in One Direction