Perrie Edwards has shared a deeply personal look back at her tumultuous relationship with former One Direction star Zayn Malik, revealing heartbreak, struggles to cope, and hints of infidelity.
The Little Mix singer, who began dating Zayn in 2012, spoke candidly about the emotional fallout following their split in 2015. During a recent episode of the Great Company podcast with Made in Chelsea alum Jamie Laing, Perrie described her experience as “hellish,” recalling intense break downs and feelings of abandonment.
The couple, who became engaged during their relationship, ended things badly — Perrie claimed Zayn broke up with her via text. Rumours at the time suggested infidelity, and in the podcast, Perrie hinted there may have been an “overlap” with another woman during the final months of their romance. She added: “I need to be careful how I say this, but there was a bit of an overlap. When you’re moving on with somebody else, you get on better. When you’re left behind, it’s hard because it’s like, ‘They’ve left me for someone more beautiful, someone better.’ That’s how it felt at the time.”
The singer described her heartbreak as all-consuming: “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. You feel abandoned. You don’t feel good enough. You feel like you’ve been left for something better or whatever it is.”
Perrie, 32, also revealed that the scrutiny from the public intensified her suffering. “Then what makes it worse is I felt like the world was looking at me, laughing at me. Not my fans — they were amazing — but I felt embarrassed and horrified. It was awful,” she admitted.
At the time, Perrie was juggling her personal turmoil with her professional responsibilities in Little Mix. She revealed that she had “serious breakdowns” during performances and often cried constantly. “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 alone. I was followed every two seconds, asked about it 24/7,” she said.
The topic of Zayn’s music also came up. Perrie referenced his debut solo single Pillowtalk, whose music video starred supermodel Gigi Hadid, who would later become Zayn’s girlfriend and the mother of his child. “Then you have a song they’ve written about you, but someone else is in the video,” Perrie said. The star was careful to phrase her words diplomatically but made it clear she felt deeply hurt by the situation.
Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid began dating later in 2015 and had an on-and-off relationship until 2021. They share daughter Khai, born in 2020. Perrie hinted that the timeline may have overlapped with the end of her relationship, confirming long-held rumours about the complexities of that period in her life. Zayn’s representatives declined to comment when approached.
Despite the heartbreak of her relationship with Zayn, Perrie’s love life is now flourishing. She is engaged to footballer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, with whom she shares two children: Axel, four, and Alanis, born in January 2026. The couple have been together for several years, and Perrie has described their life as “happy and grounded,” a stark contrast to her emotional turmoil following the split from Zayn.
Reflecting on her past, Perrie shared that navigating fame alongside a painful breakup had been especially challenging. “It wasn’t just the heartbreak I was dealing with. I was being ridiculed by the public. I couldn’t cope. I hated it. I was breaking down. I think I was depressed. And I know it sounds ridiculous, but this, plus this, plus this, and everything on top…” she explained.
The singer also revealed the long-term impact on her confidence and emotional wellbeing. “You feel like you’ve been left for someone more beautiful or better, whatever that is. And then the world is watching. It’s like you have no control over your own story.” Despite this, she has grown from the experience, channeling her resilience into her music, family life, and upcoming wedding plans with Alex.
Fans of Perrie Edwards and Little Mix will be reassured to know that the singer has moved on from the heartbreak, building a loving family and planning for the future. Her candid reflections on the split with Zayn Malik serve as a reminder of the personal struggles behind the glitz and glamour of celebrity life. The honesty with which Perrie has discussed these challenges has earned her admiration and empathy from fans worldwide.
While the past relationship with Zayn remains a chapter marked by heartbreak and lessons learned, Perrie’s present is filled with love and stability. She has emphasized how important it is to be surrounded by supportive partners, friends, and family, which has helped her navigate both personal and professional challenges.
In conclusion, Perrie Edwards’ revelations about her “hellish” split with Zayn Malik highlight the emotional toll of fame, young love, and public scrutiny. Yet, the singer has emerged stronger, resilient, and ready to embrace the next stage of her life with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and their children. Her story is one of overcoming adversity, finding love again, and moving forward with grace and determination.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
