Zayn Malik 'understands' pressures of fame

Singer Zayn Malik says he has maintained a bit of 'sanity' amid all the success and popularity.

The 23-year-old former One Direction member said he does not want to get caught up in the hype of fame, reported Female First.

"I've kept a little bit of my sanity. I understand how the media works. Journos gotta earn their money. Paps have got to earn their money," Zayn said.

The "Pillowtalk" hitmaker said he said he discovered this in the first few months of his career.

"I think so. I think that's why it came across as being mysterious or detached. I just didn't want to get caught up in something that wasn't real. You can be the biggest band in the world for a certain time, but that ends. I'm not saying that (I knew at the beginning). But if I did...I've got a great brain," he said.