Zayn Malik reveals how his daughter Khai rates his songs — and even influences his musical decisions

Zayn Malik shares how his daughter Khai rates his songs and reveals her opinion plays a role in his music.

Zayn Malik has shared an unusual insight into his creative process: his daughter Khai’s opinion also matters. During an interview with SiriusXM, the artist explained that the five-year-old already listens to some of his music and isn’t shy about reacting. The singer, who has just released the single ‘Sideways’ as a preview of his upcoming album ‘KONNAKOL’, noted that there are songs he prefers not to play to her due to their content, but he still shares others. “She loves my music and always gives her opinion,” he said.

According to Zayn, Khai uses a very clear system to rate the tracks: thumbs up, thumbs down, or somewhere in between. The latter, he explained, means the song is good but doesn’t fully convince her. Some tracks have received full approval, while others haven’t had the same response. The artist also revealed that Khai has indirectly influenced recent decisions, including his collaboration with Jisoo, showing just how present his personal life is in this new phase of his career.

Speaking about how she perceives his profession, Zayn explained that Khai is aware her father sings and has a certain level of fame, although she doesn’t fully understand what it involves. “She knows I’m a pop star and sometimes she shows off a bit, like any child would,” he added. In recent years, the singer has maintained a more low-key profile, focusing on his music and personal life following his relationship with Gigi Hadid. These kinds of reflections reveal a more grounded side of the artist, far removed from the usual dynamics of the industry.