This is not a drill. Zayn Malik attended the Asian Awards in London on Friday in his first public appearance since leaving One Direction, reportedly thanking his bandmates in an acceptance speech. “I’d like to thank my mum and dad, and I’d also like to take this moment to thank four of the best guys I’ve ever met, everything I’ve done with them will stay with me for the rest of my life,” he told the audience, according to Now Daily. The singer is also sporting a brand new look.