"X Factor" creator Simon Cowell, 55, is "really sad" that Zayn Malik, 22, is leaving the One Direction band, according to Sinitta, 51.
Speaking to ITV's "Good Morning Britain," the "So Macho" singer said her former boyfriend is "really proud" of Malik and he has always known that being a part of One Direction was "always a reluctant thing" for the young singer to do.
While Cowell is not happy about One Direction losing one member, he is said to be really proud of Malik consider the fact that he has managed to stay in the band this long and has done very well.
In 2010, Sinitta accompanied Cowell to the "Judges Houses" stage of the "X Factor." One Direction members were in the competition during that season and Sinitta said she "knew there were troubles" in the band at the time.
During her interview with "Good Morning Britain," Sinitta said she did not know Malik was going to be leaving.
"Even in the early days when we wanted them to dance and there was choreography," Sinitta said. "He was always the shy one at the back."
Apparently, Sinitta has nothing but good words for Malik, who she said has "an incredible voice." She also described Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards' fiancé as a "beautiful boy, really sweet, but just very, very shy and introverted so it was hard to get him to even be in the band in the first place."
Sinitta believes that Malik will "take time and then come back and he will miss it but at 22 how great to be able to say, 'I want to start my life how I want to now.'"