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Zayn Malik opened up on the exhaustive security checks he had to go through when entering United States for the first time with his One Direction bandmates. In an interview with the Evening Standard, the singer recalled being detained for three hours by immigration upon stepping his feet on American soil.

"The first time I came to America, I had three security checks before I got on the plane; first they said that I'd been randomly selected, and then they said it was something to do with my name, it was flagging something on their system," he said. "Then when I landed, it was like a movie. They kept me there for three hours, questioning me about all kinds of crazy stuff. I was 17, my first time in America, jet-lagged off the plane, confused."

According to Zayn, it happened more than once. "The same thing happened the next time too," he revealed before adding, "I understand the level of caution that needs to be taken, especially now, in the light of certain events at home. I don't think there's any benefit to getting angry - it's something that comes with the climate. I understand why they've got to do it."

When asked about the radicalisation of young Muslims, he said with a sigh, "I don't know how to figure out the psychology of why people do it. And I don't know the remedy for it. I just wish people had more love and care and compassion for other human beings."

"I'm not currently practicing but I was raised in the Islamic faith," the British star said, "so it will always be with me, and I identify a lot with the culture. But I'm just me. I don't want to be defined by my religion or my cultural background."