Zayn Malik hails from Bradford, England. Born on January 12, 1993, as Zain Javadd Malik, he is the son of Tricia Brannan and Yaser Malik. His ethnic background is a blend of Pakistani and English-Irish. The second eldest among four siblings, Malik's interest in music was kindled at an early age. His school years were marked by his passion for performing arts, which propelled him to take up music seriously. In 2010, Malik's life took a dramatic turn when he auditioned for the seventh season of the British reality show, The X Factor. Although he was eliminated before the final round, he, along with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Louis Tomlinson, were brought together to form the boy band, One Direction. The group went on to become one of the most successful boy bands in music history, with their debut album, Up All Night, topping charts worldwide. Malik's tenure with One Direction lasted until 2015, during which they released five chart-topping albums and embarked on four world tours. Malik's departure from One Direction in 2015 marked the beginning of his solo career. His first solo album, Mind of Mine, debuted at number one in several countries including the UK and US, making him the first British male artist to achieve this feat with a debut album. His distinct vocal style, which combines elements of pop, R&B, and soul, has been widely praised. In addition to his musical career, Malik has made headlines for his personal life, including his relationship with model Gigi Hadid, with whom he has a daughter.