Who Liam Payne Said Was the Best Singer in One Direction

Liam Payne has found his own path independent of One Direction since going solo after their hiatus in 2015. Despite that, though, he has remained publicly in touch and supportive of other members of the band. Payne declared who he thought was the best singer in One Direction out of himself, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, and Zayn Malik.

Liam Payne began his career with One Direction on ‘The X Factor’

Payne made it through to the next round of The X Factor in 2010 when auditioning as a solo artist. However, some people might not remember that Payne actually originally auditioned on the show in 2008 when he was only 14 years old. Simon Cowell didn’t think Payne was ready to move forward just yet, but he gave Payne his approval two years later.

Payne shone brightly on The X Factor when singing alongside his One Direction band members. He often had solos, which put a spotlight on his masterful voice at such a young age.

As Payne grew with the band, he began writing more with Tomlinson. The two found their songwriting voices creatively as they put out more and more albums with One Direction.

But who did Payne think was the best singer in the band?

Liam Payne said Zayn Malik is the best singer from One Direction

In 2015, Malik decided to leave One Direction after five years with the band. Payne spoke to British GQ in 2019 about Malik’s decision and even named him the best singer in the band.

“For Zayn, he loves music and he’s an amazing talent,” Payne praised his former band member. “He genuinely was the best singer in One Direction, hand on heart, out of all of us.”

Payne continued: “His streaming numbers are ridiculous but I do think he misses out on the performance side a bit, you know. He can’t seem to get past that part.”

The singer said that he also reached out to Malik after he left the band.

“I didn’t want him to feel like he was going through this all alone in some ways, or that we were all out to get him,” he said. “We’re the only people who know what you’re going through. The only five people who know what you are going through were all in a room together once, and you left – fair enough – but you don’t want anyone going through such evils for no reason.”

“But it got to a point with me where I wouldn’t know where to begin with Zayn,” Payne reflected. “I hope he has good people around him, but I don’t at this stage think it’s anything the rest of us can solve.”

Here’s what Liam Payne has done since One Direction’s hiatus

Payne released his first post One Direction single in 2017 called “Strip That Down” with Quavo. He has collaborated with other artists on his singles, such as Zedd, J Balvin, French Montana, and Cheat Codes.

His first solo album, LP1, came out in December 2019. He has released two EPs: First Time and Midnight Hour.