Zayn Malik believes there are strong 'similarities' between him and Eminem

Published: Nov 20 2025

Zayn Malik has confessed his deep admiration for the rap legend, Eminem, revealing that the 32-year-old's life and the 53-year-old's songwriting career share remarkable similarities. The "Dusk Till Dawn" singer recounted how his childhood in Bradford was resonated by the film "8 Mile," which initially inspired him.

As he watched the movie for the first time, Zayn could relate to the struggles of Eminem trying to break free from his difficult life through his rap skills. The movie served as a last-ditch effort for the rapper to escape the ghetto, and Zayn was inspired by Eminem's determination and resilience.

Zayn Malik believes there are strong 'similarities' between him and Eminem 1

"It felt like he was growing up in a similar environment to me," Zayn added, "The things he overcame and did were incredibly inspiring."

The "Pillowtalk" singer confessed that Eminem will always hold a special place in his heart as one of the top rappers. Moreover, Zayn's own audition for "X-Factor" in 2010 further strengthened his connection to the film, as he too had to showcase his talents as a solo artist.

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