'It's ridiculous': Zayn Malik 'doesn't believe' in social media despite boasting 23M Twitter followers... as he reveals plans to become an English lecturer if he hadn't been a pop star
His Twitter account is followed by 23million users while on Instagram, he boasts an eye-popping 23.4million followers.
And despite Zayn Malik's vast fan base, he insisted in a new interview with VMAN magazine that he 'does not believe' in social media as the former One Direction star claims the Internet outlets 'breeds sheep and not lions'.
The 24-year-old pop phenomenon admitted to his struggles with fame and discussed his 'alternative reality' - which he claims would have resulted in becoming a lecturer after attaining a degree in English Literature.
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Not happy: Despite Zayn Malik's vast fan base on Instagram and Twitter, he insisted in a new interview with VMAN magazine that he 'does not believe' in social media as the former One Direction star claims the Internet outlets 'breeds sheep and not lions'
Zayn soared to fame after auditioning for X Factor in 2010, when One Direction were formed on the show and went on to enjoy astounding success and become one of the biggest boy bands in the world.
He announced his departure from One Direction in March 2015, in a bid to 'live a normal life' after five years in the group, after which he released his chart-topping debut solo single Pillowtalk from his album Mind Of Mine.
As he prepares to release his next record, the star discussed how social media is affecting the world and his disbelief in the outlets - despite his own vast following.
He said: 'It’s become ridiculous to me. Even angles of pictures can’t be taken a certain way because that’s not the cool way to take an angle of a picture.
Pained: The 24-year-old pop phenomenon admitted to his struggles with fame and discussed his 'alternative reality' - which he claims would have resulted in becoming a lecturer after attaining a degree in English Literature
Belting out the tracks: He announced his departure from One Direction in March 2015, in a bid to 'live a normal life' after five years in the group, after which he released his chart-topping debut solo single Pillowtalk from his album Mind Of Mine
'Everyone’s personal opinions and what they believe in, how can you amalgamate all of that into one thing and expect that not to create a problem for people’s minds?
'That’s my personal opinion, that it’s not really that developing for us as people. That for me is the main reason why I don’t believe in social media: because I believe it breeds sheep and not lions.'
While music has become his main focus in life, Zayn had very different professional plans out of the spotlight had it not been for his fate in the hands of Simon Cowell.
Where it all began: Zayn soared to fame after auditioning for X Factor in 2010, when One Direction were formed on the show and went on to enjoy astounding success and become one of the biggest boy bands in the world
Personal insights: 'Everyone’s personal opinions and what they believe in, how can you amalgamate all of that into one thing and expect that not to create a problem for people’s minds?'
VMAN38 is on news stands now
He revealed: 'I think about (what I'd do away from music) quite a lot. I think about alternative realities. I think I’d be at university and I would have done my English degree. I think I’d be looking for some employment to do with English lecturing or literature.
'I love poetry and writing—obviously, I’m a songwriter—so, it would’ve been something that would still give me the feeling of a creative outlet within my writing.'
Zayn discussed his religion in the insightful interview as he weighed in on his widely-discussed Muslim background and how it conveys to the public.
The guarded star said: 'My faith is between me and God, and whatever that God is, that’s between me and them. That’s where I draw the line: the specifics.
'I am a spiritual person and I do believe that everything happens for a reason, so I do have faith in something. I just don’t wish to specify what that is. I don’t want anybody to feel like I’m trying to dictate or wave my opinion on anything.
'I’m just doing what I’m doing. My religion, or whatever that is, is between me and God, and that’s just how I want to keep it.'
VMAN38 is on news stands now
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