Zayn Malik Celebrates Daughter Khai with Heartfelt 4th Birthday Post

Zayn Malik is reflecting on how daughter Khai has changed his life. 

On her fourth birthday on Thursday, Sept. 19, the singer and former One Direction member shared an emotional post on Instagram to celebrate his little girl — whom he shares with supermodel Gigi Hadid — reflecting on how her birth had made him “the man I am today.”

“Happy birthday to the most important person in my life, I love you more than words allow me to express,” Malik, 31, began his message to Khai.

“Beyond proud to call you my daughter.. grateful for every second I get to spend next to you, as you become the incredible person I know you already are,” he continued the post, which was shared alongside a sweet photo of the singer on a beach with Khai in his arms. In the snap, the father-daughter duo faced away from the camera as they stood in the sun.

Malik concluded his birthday tribute to Khai by reflecting on how becoming a father has impacted him. “Four years ago today my life changed forever and I wouldn’t be the man I am today without you,” he wrote.

The singer and Hadid, 29, welcomed Khai in 2020. While he is very private when it comes to parenting Khai, he shared some sweet insight into his relationship with his daughter earlier this year during a behind-the-scenes video with NYLON in May, where he revealed they watch the Australian animated kids’ show Bluey together.

“I actually cried at a cartoon, I don’t know if it’s familiar with people. It’s called Bluey. It’s for kids,” Malik said after sharing that he is “a sensitive guy,” who cries “a lot at movies.”

“It makes me cry regularly. I don’t know why,” he added. 

In an associated cover story for NYLON, the singer also reflected on parenting and his relationship with Hadid, with whom he had an on-and-off relationship until the pair finally split in October 2021.

“From 21 to 27, I was with Gi, and we had a kid, and I didn’t really take much time to get to know myself,” he explained to the outlet.

“It’s probably wise to take your time before you fully invest in another human being as a lifelong partner,” said Malik, who also told NYLON that he is content with his quiet life on a farm, which features some special time with his little girl.

“I only have my daughter 50% of the time,” he explained to the outlet, adding that he “would have her 90% if I could.”

“We go see Disney on Ice or we go see the Nickelodeon theme park. Or we go to the beach. That’s how I get out,” he told NYLON.

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Meanwhile, Khai’s mom Hadid also posted on social media to honor their daughter’s latest birthday.

As well as sharing a glimpse of time spent at the park and eating cake for breakfast on her Instagram Stories, the supermodel posted a carousel of images that gave her followers a look at Khai’s magical Baby Yoda-themed birthday party.

As well as photos of a Baby Yoda cake, a crafting table, horse-riding and Khai’s braided hair, Hadid revealed that she’d been celebrating her little girl “all week.”

“Our girl is 4 today and we celebrated all week!!! She loves animals (fantastical ones too), music, baby yoda, all things nature & bugs, Descendants, anything squishy or miniature, and if possible- will be in the water from dawn til dusk. 🐬 She is curious, adventurous, loving, and oh so witty ⚡️⚡️,” she wrote in the post’s caption.

“Khai- it is my life’s greatest joy and pride to be your mama!!!! Thank you for the four best years of my life- you remind me to live life to the fullest every day, in the most simple & beautiful ways. Your possibilities are endless, my sweetest love !!!! 🦄🪱🧁🪐🥑🧜‍♀️🐣🎸🏖️ YODA BEST 💚🩷,” she concluded the post.