AceShowbiz -

Zayn Malik has never tried to keep his anxiety issue a secret. Since his departure from One Direction in 2015 to kick off a solo career, he has been battling against anxiety and lack of confidence in performing live. However, in a recent interview, the British heartthrob revealed that his anxiety is at "a much more manageable place" now.

"It's not a thing that you just get rid of overnight, but it's getting to a much more manageable place. I think it came from a lack of confidence, just a sense of disbelief in myself," Zayn told Evening Standard. The "Pillowtalk" hitmaker shared that leaving his former group had helped him gain control and cope with his anxiety. "You have a certain sense of control, which is nice. And I'm more confident in my ability and what I want to give to my fans," he added. "I can think of people coming out to see me perform as a positive thing now, rather than something I am dreading."

Now that he has dealt with his anxiety, fans expect Zayn to make his comeback on stage. The 24-year-old singer's last stage performance was in May 2016 at Wango Tango festival. His anxiety was also the cause of his decision not to embark on tour following the release of his debut solo album "Mind of Mine".

Additionally, he canceled two major shows last year due to "severe anxiety." He wrote a lengthy, heartfelt message on Twitter to reach out to his disappointed fans. The boyfriend of Gigi Hadid claimed that the anxiety that had "haunted me throughout the last few months has gotten the better of me." A few months later, he canceled a show in Dubai because he wasn't "sufficiently confident" to perform.