Zayn Malik News Update: Ex-One Direction Member Goes Solo on Magazine Cover

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For the first time since he left One Direction, Zayn Malik is seen gracing the cover of a UK magazine and millions of 1D fans are probably wondering, "Is this how a normal 22-year-old lives?"

Twist has posted a copy of the magazine, Asian UK, showing Malik in a coat and tie ensemble, looking gorgeous as always with a newly cropped hair. However, the website noted that the photo did not come from the magazine's exclusive photoshoot but during the red carpet of the 5th Annual Asian Awards, where Malik received an award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, as noted by BBC.

Another notable detail on the magazine is the tag "Zayn Malik, a brand". Cambio believes this could be Malik's way of completely separating himself from the 1D franchise and preparing his fans for the launch of his solo career.

Press Party adds that producer Naughty Boy has informed Capital FM about the details of Malik's upcoming solo album in an interview. He describes the album as entirely different from how Malik was seen with One Direction. The producer also said that it will be a soulful album, with most of the tracks written by Malik himself.

Unfortunately, Zayn Malik's solo album release date will have to wait. Billboard writes that the singer is not allowed to release any solo music for the next two years, according to a Facebook post by UK rapper Mic Righteous that followed the demo leak of the the rapper and Malik's cover of Rae Sremmurd's "No Type". 

No one is sure though if Malik is legally prohibited from releasing a solo album before 2017, especially since Naughty Boy has leaked another Malik demo entitled "I Won't Mind" last March.

Style Magazine thinks Malik is following the footsteps of young artists like Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus, who used fashion as a vehicle to promote themselves.

Last week, Malik has been photographed sitting in the front-row at the Paris Fashion Week, supporting major brands like Louis Vuitton and Valentino.

Is this what Twist meant when it called Malik a brand? Or does this pertain to how Malik is looking towards the fashion industry before releasing any solo music?

Of course, this doesn't justify his official reason for leaving One Direction. Either way, it looks like fans will get used to seeing him as a fixture in major fashion events in the next two years.