Zayn Malik might have departed from the internationally famous boy group, One Direction, but they're still part of his life. During an event on Friday, Malik finally broke his silence and expressed his gratitude to his former band mates.

Since quitting the band, 22-year-old singer Zayn Malik recently made his first public appearance at the 2015 Asian Awards in London on Friday. According to New York Daily News, the former One Direction member was recognized for his notable contribution to music.

During Zayn Malik's acceptance speech at the 2015 Asian Awards, the young singer expressed his deep gratitude to his parents, God and his former One Direction band mates for always standing by his side.

"I'd like to thank my mum and dad for making me Asian," he candidly said at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, E! News quoted. "And I'd also like to take this moment to thank four of the best guys I've ever met while being in the band and doing all the amazing things that I did. Everything I've done with them will stay with me for the rest of my life. Here's to the future."

Instead of taking fiancée Perrie Edwards, Zayn Malik took his mother Trisha to the event as his date. Malik, who made a striking red carpet appearance, also debuted his newly-shaved hair and a nose change. Through it was a dramatic change in his look from his boy band days, he looked healthy and happy.

"He simply just fancied a change," a source told Us Weekly. "No biggie. He's in a great place."

After a tumultuous few months, Zayn Malik incessantly bombarded with controversies and the most recent was his alleged sex tape. As per the Daily Mirror, a sex tape of a naked Malik broke out earlier this week. However, his spokesperson slammed the claims and insisted there's "absolutely no truth" in the report and is non-existent.

"The story is completely fabricated. There's absolutely no truth to this whatsoever," Malik's representative told Now magazine.

Zayn Malik also denied the report via a Twitter message.

"I'm 22 years old... I love a girl named Perrie Edwards," he tweeted, MTV learned. "And there's a lot of jealous f**ks in this world I'm sorry for what it looks like x."

Last month, Zayn Malik quit the band following the stress he felt, which was sparked by some personal issues. As previously reported, He said that he wanted to live out of the spotlight.

"My life with One Direction has been more than I could ever have imagined," Malik stated, as quoted by BBC News. "But, after five years, I feel like it is now the right time for me to leave the band... 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."

Meanwhile, after Zayn Malik's solo demo track "I Won't Mind" was leaked a few days after he left One Direction, speculations ran rampant that Malik was sought a solo career. But he has not officially confirmed it yet.