Perrie Edwards claims Zayn Malik ‘overlapped’ relationship with another woman
Perrie Edwards Claims Zayn Malik Overlapped Relationship with Another Woman
Perrie Edwards claims Zayn Malik overlapped his relationship with another woman during their time together, sparking emotional turmoil in the pop star. The 32-year-old member of Little Mix shared her painful experience after ending her romance with the former One Direction singer, who was her fiancé from 2011 to 2015. Edwards described the heartbreak as "serious breakdowns," highlighting the deep impact of feeling replaced in the public eye.
The Heartbreak of a Concurrent Relationship
Edwards recently opened up about the end of her relationship with Zayn, calling it "hellish" and recounting how the breakup affected her daily life. On Jamie Laing’s *Great Company* podcast, she explained that the pain of being left for someone else was "the worst thing in the world." "You feel abandoned and like you’re not good enough," she said, emphasizing the emotional weight of the situation.
“When you go through heartbreak, it is hellish. It’s the worst thing in the world. You can’t eat. You can’t sleep. You feel horrendous.”
Edwards also spoke about how the media and public scrutiny amplified her suffering. While her fans offered support, she faced criticism from others who questioned her worth. "The world was looking at me, laughing," she shared, adding that the pressure of being the center of attention made her recovery even more challenging.
The Overlap and Its Emotional Toll
Edwards revealed that Zayn’s relationship with model Gigi Hadid began while they were still together, creating a sense of overlap that deepened her pain. She described the situation as "a bit of an overlap," noting how it felt like she was competing with someone she perceived as more successful. "You think, 'Oh s**t, they’ve left me for someone more beautiful than me, someone better than me,'” she admitted, capturing the depth of her emotional struggle.
“You feel abandoned and you don’t feel good enough and you feel like you’ve been left for something better or whatever it is.”
She also pointed out how the media’s focus on her past relationship made her feel like a punchline. "I need to be careful how I say this, but there was… a bit of an overlap," she said, referencing the music video for Zayn’s debut single *Pillowtalk*, which featured Gigi instead of her.
Timeline of the Relationship and Its Aftermath
Zayn and Gigi Hadid first became linked in late 2015, following their attendance at Justin Bieber’s American Music Awards after-party. Though they weren’t officially dating then, their growing connection eventually led to a relationship. Perrie Edwards claims Zayn Malik's overlap with Gigi intensified her feelings of betrayal. The pair welcomed their daughter, Khai, in 2017, but announced their split in 2021, marking a decade of separation from Perrie.
Edwards detailed the moment she discovered Zayn and Gigi’s relationship, calling it the "nail in the coffin" of her emotional state. She recalled being in her Surrey bungalow at the time, with her family nearby, and how the news hit her hard. "I just started crying my eyes out," she shared, underscoring the pain of feeling replaced in both her personal and professional life.
“It was one thing after the other, after the other. And I remember finding out about that and I just went in and my dad and my brother were at the house at the time and I just moved into my little bungalow in Surrey. So I was trying to get as far away as I could.”
Rebuilding and Finding New Joy
Despite the heartbreak, Perrie Edwards claims Zayn Malik's past relationship has become a part of her story. She has since found happiness with footballer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and the couple now has two children: son Axel, aged four, and daughter Alanis, who is four months old. Reflecting on her journey, Edwards highlighted the importance of resilience, saying she had to "be strong for the team" but also wanted to "be left the f**k alone."
“I had to be there for the girls. I had to be switched on. I had to power through for Little Mix, but I also just wanted to be left the f**k alone.”
Edwards also mentioned how the media’s constant focus on her past relationship affected her mentally. "People said, 'stop talking about it,' but it really affected me," she said, adding that the ongoing attention was a significant burden. However, she now views the experience as a defining chapter, showing how she has moved forward and found new purpose in her life.