ZAYN Malik sparked renewed online discussion among One Direction fans after making a pointed remark about ticket prices during a recent concert in Las Vegas, widely interpreted as a subtle reference to former bandmate Harry Styles.
During his show, the 33-year-old singer paused to thank fans for attending, according to fan-recorded footage circulating online. “I just want to say a big, big thank you to each and every single one of you for being here with me tonight,” Malik told the audience. “You could have been anywhere, but you decided to spend your night with me.”
He then added, “Hopefully, the ticket prices weren’t too high,” prompting loud cheers from the crowd.
The comment quickly gained traction online, with fans linking it to ongoing discussions surrounding the cost of tickets for Harry Styles’ upcoming ‘Together, Together’ world tour. Although Malik did not mention Styles by name, the timing of the remark led many fans to view it as a knowing reference.
In recent days, screenshots of early presale prices for Styles’ US tour dates have circulated widely on social media platforms including X, Instagram and Threads. Standard ticket prices were reported to range from approximately US$50 (around
RM200) to US$1,182.40, with VIP packages reaching as high as US$1,667. Fans attempting to secure tickets for Styles’ 30-night residency at Madison Square Garden in New York described the purchasing process as stressful and expensive.
Malik’s remark also reignited nostalgia among One Direction fans, who have closely followed any perceived interactions between the group’s former members since the band went on hiatus in 2015. Even indirect references are often treated as significant within the fandom.
Styles is currently preparing for a major global touring cycle alongside the release of his upcoming album, ‘Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally’, which is scheduled for release on March 6. The tour includes stadium dates in cities such as Amsterdam, London, São Paulo, Mexico City, Melbourne and Sydney.
Malik, meanwhile, has been performing a series of live shows, with recent appearances marked by a relaxed and confident stage presence. His brief comment in Las Vegas, while light-hearted, was enough to prompt widespread reaction across fan communities, highlighting the continued public interest in the former members of One Direction nearly a decade after the group’s split.
