One Direction Memories Last a Decade

Zayn Malik Pays Tribute to One Direction During Opening Night of His Tour

Does it ever drive you crazy? Just how sweet Zayn Malik's latest tribute to One Direction is. During his first performance in Mexico for his tour, the 32-year-old brought nostalgia to the room as he opened his show with One Direction's "Night Changes."

As the opening chords of the song played, the crowd erupted in cheers, quickly recognizing the beloved song Zayn originally sang with bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomilson, and Liam Payne—the latter of whom died at the age of 31 after falling from a balcony in Argentina in October. Zayn was overcome with emotion as the crowd sang along.

"It's the first time I sang that song in 10 years," the "PillowTalk" singer told the crowd after the performance, per video shared to social media. "Thank you, that was f---ing amazing. I almost cried at one point. This is insane."

The performance came on the 10th anniversary of the day Zayn left One Direction after five years in the band.

"My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined. But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band,” he wrote on Facebook March 25, 2015. “I'd like to apologize to the fans if I've let anyone down, but I have to do what feels right in my heart. I am leaving because I want to be a normal 22-year-old who is able to relax and have some private time out of the spotlight.”

Zayn's tribute also comes four months after he reunited with the surviving band members at Liam's funeral, one month after his sudden death.

"There is no words that justify or explain how I feel right now other than beyond devastated,” Zayn wrote Oct. 17. “I hope that wherever you are right now you are good and are at peace and you know how loved you are."