Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik welcomed their first child, daughter Khai, last year. Reuters
Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik welcomed their first child, daughter Khai, last year. Reuters
Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik welcomed their first child, daughter Khai, last year. Reuters
Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik welcomed their first child, daughter Khai, last year. Reuters

Zayn Malik opens up about balancing music and family life with Gigi Hadid: 'I've spent a lot of time with my little girl'


Emma Day
  • English
  • Arabic

He's a notoriously private star, who prefers to keep tight-lipped about his private life.

However, Zayn Malik has given rare insight into his family life with Gigi Hadid and their firstborn child in a new interview.

The former One Direction singer revealed he balances parenting and songwriting with the support of his supermodel partner.

"I've spent a lot of time with my little girl and my missus," Malik, 28, told the Zach Sang Show podcast"When I can get the evening to myself, I do a bit of writing and Hadid is really cool about it."

The couple, who rekindled their on-off relationship in December 2019, welcomed daughter Khai in September 2020.

Malik and Hadid, who is of Palestinian and Dutch heritage, have kept many details of their family life under wraps, choosing to share selective images of their daughter, and only revealing her name in January.

The singer also revealed he dedicated his latest album, January's Nobody Is Listening, to his baby of 7 months.

"I related my album to my baby – it's part of you and you want to share it with your world," Malik told the podcast.

In an interview with iHeartRadio earlier this year, the Pillowtalk hitmaker revealed that Khai was an easy-going baby, making the adjustment to parenthood easy for him and Hadid, 26.

"I just love hanging out with her [Khai]... It's a really different pace of life, but it's been really easy to adjust and that's the most surprising," he said in March.

"A lot of people that I was speaking to obviously before she was born and stuff were like you know it’s a big adjustment and it’s going to be a massive change and stuff, but honestly she’s an amazing baby.

"It’s been really easy for me and Gigi to kind of just ease into it. She’s made it really easy for us, she sleeps really well and she loves her milk."

Malik added that fatherhood was "wicked", saying: "I didn’t expect to be quite as into it to be honest."

Hadid told Vogue in February that she welcomed Khai at her family's rural property in Pennsylvania, US, with Malik, mother Yolanda, sister Bella and a midwife on hand.

"I had to dig deep. I knew it was going to be the craziest pain in my life, but you have to surrender to it and be like, 'This is what it is'. I loved that," she said.

"I know my mum and Zayn and Bella were proud of me, but at certain points I saw each of them in terror," she continued.

"Afterward, Z and I looked at each other and we're like, 'We can have some time before we do that again.'"

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Dust and sand storms compared

Sand storm

  • Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
  • Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
  • Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
  • Travel distance: Limited 
  • Source: Open desert areas with strong winds

Dust storm

  • Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
  • Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
  • Duration: Can linger for days
  • Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
  • Source: Can be carried from distant regions
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5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai

Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:

• Dubai Marina

The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739 
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960 
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104

• Downtown

Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure.  “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154

• City Walk

The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena.  “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809 
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052 
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210 

• Jumeirah Lake Towers

Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629 
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818 
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941

• Palm Jumeirah

Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.

Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770 
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002 
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152 

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