( CNN ) Former One Direction member Zayn Malik spoke for the first time since leaving the group this week -- and said he 's sorry for the pain he 's caused . `` I feel like I 've let the fans down , but I ca n't do this anymore , '' he told the UK 's outlet The Sun . `` It 's not that I 've turned my back on them or anything , it 's just that I just ca n't do that anymore , because it 's not the real me . '' He said that he had been feeling uncomfortable in recent months and that his departure was best for everyone concerned . `` I did try to do something that I was n't happy doing for a while , for the sake of other people 's happiness , '' the 22-year-old said . But now , he added , `` I 've never felt more in control in my life . And I feel like I 'm doing what 's right -- right by myself and right by the boys , so I feel good . '' iReport : Fan says 'We need Zayn ' He 's getting along fine with the other members of the band , he observed . According to Us magazine , Malik has started working on a solo project . One Direction , which also included Harry Styles , Louis Tomlinson , Niall Horan and Liam Payne , will continue as a foursome . The group 's hits include `` Best Song Ever . '' The band 's announcement Wednesday that Malik was leaving caused mass disbelief among fans all over the world , with many taking to the Internet to express their sadness and devastation .
‘ Malik says that being in One ’ was ` ` not the real me '' He told the band 's website that he feels ` ` like I ' m doing what 's right '' The band later Wednesday that he was leaving .