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MusicZayn MalikJul 07, 2025

‘They Still Laughed at the Asian’: Zayn Malik Speaks on Racism He Experienced in One Direction in New Song Snippet

The singer previewed some bars from a new, more rap-heavy track seemingly called “Fuchsia Sea.”

By Precious Fondren
Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Zayn Malik is addressing the racism he faced in a new song snippet.

The former One Direction crooner made an Instagram post previewing bars from a new, more rap-heavy song seemingly called “Fuchsia Sea,” Rolling Stone reports, and it sounds as if he’s addressing racism he experienced during his time with the group.

In the snippet, he raps: “Got my back against the wall so much they think I got a brick fascination / Do you remember every conversation? ‘Cause I have been conscious of every connotation.”

He continues: “And while they concentrate on their elevation, I've got a round trip to the constellation / I'm a convert to the concert, and I did that for inflation, 'cause I worked hard in a white band, and they still laughed at the Asian.”

Malik is mixed, having a Pakistani father and white British mum. On TikTok, fans have been revisiting how they defended the now 32-year-old singer when he was attacked. One person even said she threw a cup of water at the back of another fan’s head because that fan had a sign that said they hated Malik. 

Malik isn’t the only former band member who’s discussed their experience as one of few people of color in a group. Normani has spoken about the hate messages she received during her time in Fifth Harmony and how disappointed in Camila Cabello for her racist behavior.

@hallehallle 13 year old me and 27 year old me don’t play about that man #zaynmalik #onedirection #harrystyles #niallhoran #liampayne #louistomlinson ♬ original sound - Alexandria

“It was devastating that this came from a place that was supposed to be a safe haven and a sisterhood, because I knew that if the tables were turned, I would defend each of them in a single heartbeat,” she told Rolling Stone in 2020. “It took days for her to acknowledge what I was dealing with online, and then years for her to take responsibility for the offensive tweets that recently resurfaced. Whether or not it was her intention, this made me feel like I was second to the relationship that she had with her fans.”

Malik left One Direction in March 2015.

“I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band,” he said in a statement at the time. “I’d like to apologize to the fans if I’ve let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight. I know I have four friends for life in Louis, Liam, Harry and Niall.”

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