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Zayn Malik admits he did not write a statement released when he exited One Direction. In his exit statement, the "Pillowtalk" hitmaker said, "I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight."

When asked about the letter, Zayn explains to ES Magazine, "I'm going to ask you a question now - do you think I wrote that? Like, look how it's worded. I'm not a 35-year-old lawyer. I don't write like that."

Gigi Hadid's boyfriend suggests that everything about him was choreographed. "[Days were structured] so that you didn't have time to think because you were concentrating so hard on work," he says, "I lost my bearings of what time it was, sometimes, what day it was."

Hold everything. It's @zaynmalik in today's @ESMagOfficial. Pick up your free copy this afternoon pic.twitter.com/0Cjm6Fpa5o

— ES Magazine (@ESMagOfficial) November 3, 2016

Zayn says the members of One Direction were not allowed to have tattoos without permission and he actually did it. "They kind of went crazy when I had a massive 'ZAP' tattooed on my arm," he says, 'It was just a continuous struggle because I was hurried into a situation that I didn't necessarily want to be in. Obviously I had to stop feeling like that. So one day I stopped being in the band."

Hello. It's Zayn O'Clock. https://t.co/14BVzOHCBh pic.twitter.com/Vr597Kxeum

— ES Magazine (@ESMagOfficial) November 3, 2016

Zayn would tell his 17-year-old self not to join One Direction. "Don't do it. I would say: 'Do your research and be a bit more prepared about certain situations before you make a decision,' " he shares.

"I was very ignorant at 17 - blind beyond my years. I thought going on 'X Factor' meant you won a million pounds and got a contract at the end of it," he explains, "And I was like: 'S**t. All my problems are solved. I win a million pounds and that's it. Simple.' But you don't think about everything else that goes with it. You're only 17, your dreams are immature. You see what you want."

Would you look at that, it's half past Zayn. Time for another. https://t.co/14BVzOZdZR pic.twitter.com/vWX1iPLc0Q

— ES Magazine (@ESMagOfficial) November 3, 2016

Zayn is "super thankful" for everything "The X Factor" gave him, but if he could travel back in time then he might have made a different decision. "I probably wouldn't have [signed] - I would've waited a couple more extra years," he explains, "Just so I had that time to just get my head around being a famous person. I've never been able to have, what's the word? Anonymity."

He continues, "If I could go back, I'd have a few more years of anonymity. I've tried a few remote places and you still get pictured. It's flattering - they're fans and it comes with the job - but it would be nice to know there was a country where nobody knew you at all. I'd like to find it."