LOS ANGELES — The last time I witnessed Zayn Malik perform live was during the One Direction concert at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl on September 13, 2014.

Fast forward ten years, and as he belted out his signature falsetto in downtown LA’s Shrine Expo Hall on Tuesday night, it felt like not much had really changed since his hiatus from touring.

Now 32 years old and currently on the North American leg of his Stairway to the Sky Tour, he still looked at ease beside the mic stand, his movements mainly consisting of fist pumps and waves to the thrilled audience. His angelic voice continued to captivate, evoking enthusiastic screams from fans.

However, unlike his final days with One Direction, when he often seemed uncomfortable on stage despite showcasing remarkable vocal talent, he now radiates warmth and excitement for the fans who have remained devoted throughout the years.

Zayn: ‘I forgot how much I love this’

Perhaps it’s the time spent away on his farm in Pennsylvania or the joys of being a father that have positively influenced his mental well-being, enabling him to return to the stage. I also believe the unwavering support from his fans played a significant role in his comeback.

After performing a soulful rendition of his beloved debut single from 2016, “Pillowtalk,” Malik confessed he felt “nervous” about singing the track, one of his most popular songs to date. Yet, he recognized it was “long overdue” for his fans.

With hundreds of loyal supporters singing along to his lyrics during the 75-minute performance, and Malik energetically punctuating the end of almost every song with enthusiastic exclamations, it was clear he genuinely appreciated their love and encouragement, stating, “I forgot how much I love doing this.”

His tour will continue until March, featuring stops in Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Mexico City.

Zayn Minimizes One Direction References

Since One Direction’s Where We Are Tour concluded in late 2014, the reclusive British artist has surprisingly performed live on only a few occasions, despite releasing a considerable amount of music as a solo artist.

Following his abrupt exit from One Direction in March 2015, Malik largely avoided live performances, opting instead to release four studio albums along with contributing to soundtracks for hit films like “Aladdin” and “50 Shades Darker,” with limited promotional initiatives.

This tour marks a change, featuring songs primarily from his upcoming album “Room Under the Stairs,” alongside a few tracks from his earlier releases.

Although he has songwriting credits in One Direction’s discography, Malik chose not to include any of their songs in his solo tour, with the sole acknowledgment of the boy band being a written tribute to Liam Payne, who tragically passed away in October at the age of 31 after falling from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires. The tribute read, “Liam Payne 1993-2024 Love you bro ♥” after Malik concluded the performance.

‘It took me time to return to the stage’

During his first of three shows in LA, Malik addressed the challenges his fans have endured, including canceled performances early in his solo career due to experiencing significant anxiety, as well as the postponement of this tour after Payne’s passing, finally allowing fans to see him perform his extensive catalog.

“It took a while to get back on stage, but thank you for your patience,” he expressed.

Malik’s fans seemed to feel that their decade-long wait was worthwhile, responding with loud cheers when he removed his jacket, whenever he hit high notes, and even with a simple wave.

The crowd’s astonished silence resonated during the stunningly beautiful “iT’s YoU,” allowing his voice to envelop them entirely.

While being in the spotlight may not be Malik’s favorite position, it’s clear he has rekindled his love for music — and his fans are more than ready to embrace him back into their hearts.