Hey, I’m Zayn Malik and i’m here to talk about what I personally have done for Bradford.
I lived in East Bowling BD4 growing up, I lived just the same as any other person in Bradford. I grew up in a working class household, I went to Tong Leadership Academy. I always had a passion for performing! I actually studied performing arts in high school, but as a child growing up in bradford I never thought I would make it.
My career started on X-Factor in 2010, I ended up making it in the music industry! My success on the show gave so many children in Bradford hope that they could make it too. As time went on and my band got more and more globally popular, Bradford was recognised for more than just its food, its history and its architecture! Bradford was known for producing talent and pop stars from its very streets! I made it clear to children from challenged backgrounds that you don’t have to come from London or have lots of money to make it in the music industry! You just need the passion.
I try my best to carry Bradford with me on every tour, interview or podcast i go on. Bradford is the place i grew up and discovered my passion for music/ performing! Not to sound too biased but I am the Pride of Bradford, my journey as being a British- Pakistani muslim showed everybody a different side of British culture, I myself am a reminder to people of all shapes, sizes and colours that your background can never define your potential. I brought a whole new confidence to Bradford, people are no longer scared to per-sue the career they are passionate about and I’m sure that there will be many more success stories from global pop stars in bradford!!
So what have I done for bradford? I changed the narrative! I showed the world that Bradford Isn’t just a place on the map, isn’t just a place of working class, isn’t just a ‘rough’ town. I showed the world that Bradford is a birthplace of talent, greatness and passion.