Zayn Malik is celebrating after his debut solo single PillowTalk topped the charts in 60 countries, including America. The 23-year-old entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at number one – a chart position he never managed to achieve during his time in One Direction.
Despite the boy band's popularity in the States, they are yet to top the Billboard charts and peaked at number two with their single Best Song Ever in 2013. Zayn's solo single has also become only the 25th song ever to debut at number one in the Hot 100, following in the footsteps of Adele's Hello.
Zayn Malik has reached number one in 60 countries
The Bradford-born star is evidently thrilled at his chart success, and thanked fans for their support on Twitter on Monday. "What is gwaning :) !! I can't explain the love and gratitude I feel today, thank you for making this happen," he wrote.
Zayn also shared a black-and-white photo of himself clutching a bunch of celebratory balloons, including a silver number one balloon in recognition of his chart success.
© Photo: RexZayn's former bandmates are yet to top the US charts
The singer released his debut single at the end of January, with a music video that sees him put on a tactile display with his girlfriend Gigi Hadid, who he has reportedly been dating since the end of October.
The video has already been viewed over 62 million times, and Zayn has also secured the fastest-selling UK single of the year so far, with combined sales of 112,000 and 4.97 million streams.
Zayn will be especially proud of his success, as he has strayed from One Direction's pop sound for music he says he feels is "cooler" and that he believes in.
"I don't think I could ever go back to being completely normal. I guess that's something I accepted, that this is as normal as it gets for me," Zayn said during an interview on Capital Radio. "I just want to make music that I believe in and music that I stand for."
