Zayn Malik Opens Up About His Experiences Of Racism

'Just because I don’t dwell on those issues, doesn’t mean I don’t know.'

Zayn Malik has discussed his personal experiences of racism in a new interview.

The former One Direction star was born to a Pakistani father, and mother of Irish descent, and has now opened up about what it was like growing up as part of a mixed-race family in Bradford.

Zayn Malik
Zayn Malik
Kristin CallahanACEREXShutterstock

Speaking to ES Magazine, he explains that when he younger he “saw dad as dad and mum as mum”, adding: “I didn’t see colour, I didn’t see religion, I didn’t see race.”

He goes on to explain that he was excluded and often “got in fights”, adding: “Nine times out of 10, the fights were due to racial things.”

Hold everything. It's @zaynmalik in today's @ESMagOfficial. Pick up your free copy this afternoon pic.twitter.com/0Cjm6Fpa5o

— ES Magazine (@ESMagOfficial) November 3, 2016

Zayn is still promoting his debut album ‘Mind Of Mine’ which went to number one when it released in March this year.

He’s also just released an autobiography, which charts the last 12 months of his life, covering topics including his decision to leave One Direction, and his break-up from Perrie Edwards.

The ‘Pillowtalk’ singer also speaks for the first time about having previously suffered from an eating disorder.

Read Zayn’s full interview in the latest edition of ES Magazine.

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