Zayn Malik Pushes Liam Payne Back On Solo Career Track, Is Chris Martin Jealous Of Harry Styles?

Liam Payne of One Direction is rumored to be seeking solo career advice from his ex-bandmate, Zayn Malik, who infamously quit One Direction during a tour in 2015, and Chris Martin of Coldplay made some comments at a concert that seemed to imply that he is a little envious of One Direction megastar Harry Styles.

Hollywood Life reports that Zayn Malik and Liam Payne are still good friends, and in fact, Liam has turned to Zayn to get advice about launching a solo career.

“Liam [Payne] had offers on the table to work outside of One Direction, but he was scared of the kind of pressure that it would bring. But thanks to [girlfriend] Cheryl [Fernandez–Versini], and in some degree Zayn [Malik], who he also spoke with for advice, he’s embarking on this next chapter in his life.”

The report claims that both Cheryl and Zayn pulled together to encourage Liam to move past his reservations about solo work and begin his next career chapter.

This follows months of reports that Liam was putting Cheryl ahead of his career. Payne’s friends were said to be worried because he stopped writing and playing music and spent all his time cooking for Cheryl and helping with her divorce.

Goss reported that, for a time, Liam Payne “put his career on the back burner as he [spent] all his time on Cheryl.”

“He’s got eight guitars and has barely picked one up since he’s been with Cheryl. He’s not writing music and hasn’t been in touch with Jamie Scott, his songwriter mate.”

Mirror speculated that Liam may have gotten together with Cheryl to make all the other One Direction guys jealous. Apparently Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles, and Niall Horan have all said they fancied Cheryl at some point.

Niall Horan once said “Cheryl! You always have to flirt with Cheryl when you see her,” when he was asked about his ideal woman. Harry Styles has said of Cheryl, “She’s an incredible woman. Cheryl can take credit [for One Direction] because she’s hot. She’s just a flirt.”

Louis Tomlinson once wore a t-shirt that read “Cheryl, call me.” Louis has reportedly said that he is nervous around Liam’s love “because she’s so hot.”

“Being in her presence was intimidating, because she’s so hot.”

The Sun is reporting that Liam Payne has signed a solo record deal following his discussions with Zayn Malik. The mag notes that Harry Styles has also inked a three-album solo deal since the One Direction hiatus began, and speculates that it may be the end for the band.

LIAM Payne has signed a solo record contract – throwing the future of One Direction into uncertainty…Harry Styles is currently shooting his acting debut in the film Dunkirk. Louis Tomlinson is breaking into TV and has just taken on a role as a judge on America’s Got Talent… Niall is making the most of the break travelling the world and has just launched a golf talent agency.

Liam made a statement about his solo deal with Capitol Records UK, stating that he is excited to show what he can do as a solo artist. Payne said that One Direction will always “be [his] family.” Liam did not state whether this means a reunion is in the works. However, all of the boys have repeatedly assured fans that One Direction will be back.

“I’m really happy to have signed to such a prestigious label as Capitol Records UK. Capitol Records has an amazing history stretching right back before even Frank Sinatra and I’m really looking forward to becoming part of their story… One Direction will always be my family; I’m now excited to show what I can do as a solo artist.”

Insiders have previously revealed that, of all the boys, Liam was the one who most needed to take a step back from the world of celebrity and live a normal life for a time.

Liam’s confidant Zayn Malik stated after his own departure from 1D that he just wanted to live like “a normal 22-year-old” for a while. Zayn went on to say in a number of interviews that he felt unhappy throughout his time in the band.

Meanwhile, Harry Styles has been praised at a Coldplay concert by none other than frontman Chris Martin, who is known to be a friend of Harry’s.

https://twitter.com/BestDailyHarry/status/756144787070169088

Chris said a throwaway line about Harry between songs, mentioning “Harry Styles and all those attractive men.” Some fans wondered if the Grammy award-winner might be a little envious of headline-grabbing Harry Styles, who is currently earning praise for his film career.

Capital FM have provided a list of reasons to be jealous of cute, successful Harry Styles, citing Harry’s curls, large group of friends, many talents and success with the ladies, among other things.

Plus there’s the fact that his smile is basically TO DIE FOR!

(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)