Zayn Malik's Daughter Khai, 5, Critiques His Music

The singer says his young daughter gives blunt feedback on his songs, even influencing his new album.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 7:34pm

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Zayn Malik revealed that his 5-year-old daughter Khai is a tough critic of his music, often giving him a 'thumbs up, thumbs down, thumb sideways' review. The singer said Khai's love of K-pop groups like Twice and Blackpink even influenced his decision to collaborate with Blackpink's Jisoo on his new album 'Konnakol'. While Khai understands her dad is a 'pop star', Malik said she doesn't fully grasp his One Direction fame yet at her young age.

Why it matters

Malik's candid comments about his daughter's music critiques provide a rare glimpse into the personal life of the former One Direction star. It also highlights how celebrity parents navigate sharing their work with their young children and how those kids' tastes can impact the creative process.

The details

Malik said there are some of his songs with 'cuss words and stuff' that he doesn't play for Khai, but overall she is a big fan of his music. The singer said Khai has a system where she gives a 'thumbs up, thumbs down, thumb sideways' review, and that she gave 'a double thumbs up for a few songs' on his upcoming album 'Konnakol'. Malik also revealed that Khai's love of K-pop groups Twice and Blackpink influenced his decision to collaborate with Blackpink's Jisoo on the new album, saying 'I wanted to be cool' in her eyes.

  • Zayn Malik and ex Gigi Hadid welcomed daughter Khai in September 2020.
  • Malik's new album 'Konnakol' is set to release on April 17, 2026.

The players

Zayn Malik

A 33-year-old British singer-songwriter who rose to fame as a member of the boy band One Direction. He is the father of 5-year-old daughter Khai with ex-girlfriend Gigi Hadid.

Khai

Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid's 5-year-old daughter, who Malik says provides blunt critiques of his music.

Gigi Hadid

A 30-year-old American model who shares daughter Khai with ex-boyfriend Zayn Malik.

Jisoo

A 31-year-old member of the K-pop girl group Blackpink, who collaborated with Zayn Malik on the song 'Eyes Closed' in October 2025.

Twice

A popular K-pop girl group that Zayn Malik's daughter Khai is a fan of.

Blackpink

A popular K-pop girl group that Zayn Malik's daughter Khai is a fan of, which influenced his decision to collaborate with member Jisoo.

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What they’re saying

“There's some songs, like I've said a few times, that I don't want to play to her because obviously, there's cuss words and stuff in there, concepts a bit adult, but she loves my music and she definitely gives me an opinion.”

— Zayn Malik, Singer

“You know, she does this thing where she does, like, thumbs up, thumbs down, thumb sideways, and if you get a thumbs up and a thumb sideways, it means it's pretty good.”

— Zayn Malik, Singer

“She gave me a double thumbs up for a few songs, and there was like, a side one for one or two, I think, that she wasn't really into.”

— Zayn Malik, Singer

“She's into Twice. She's into Blackpink. That was kind of, you know, a big reason behind why I did the feature with Jisoo, if I'm being honest, because my daughter's such a big fan, and I wanted to be cool, you know.”

— Zayn Malik, Singer

“I think, you know, she's 5. She has some concept of it. I don't think she really understands what it is, but she knows her dad's a pop star, you know, and her dad sings, and she flexes it a little bit sometimes as a 5-year-old does, you know. So yeah, she's somewhat aware, but I don't think she understands the full extent of it.”

— Zayn Malik, Singer

What’s next

Malik's new album 'Konnakol' featuring the Jisoo collaboration is set to release on April 17, 2026.

The takeaway

Zayn Malik's candid comments about his young daughter Khai's honest critiques of his music provide a rare glimpse into the personal life of the former One Direction star. It also highlights how celebrity parents navigate sharing their work with their kids and how those kids' tastes can influence the creative process.