Zayn Malik isn't a very "outgoing" person.

Zayn Malik

Zayn Malik

The former One Direction star says it has been a year since he has "properly shown his face" in public.

He told Vogue: "Personally I am not a very outgoing, like, social person. Like, in terms of big groups of people; it's been a year since I've properly shown my face. I always feel like I'm trying to work through whatever certain issues are around certain subjects.

"For me personally, I think it comes from a place of not ever wanting to come across as an over-arrogant person or a person that takes themselves too seriously. I'm not always trying to be pretentious or say something that I think is going to change the world. I feel like I'm one voice among millions."

Meanwhile, Zayn previously revealed his struggles with anxiety have become "much more manageable".

He said: "It's not a thing that you just get rid of overnight but it's getting to a much more manageable place. I think it came from a lack of confidence, just a sense of disbelief [sic] in myself ... You have a certain sense of control, which is nice. And I'm more confident in my ability and what I want to give to my fans. I can think of people coming out to see me perform as a positive thing now, rather than something I am dreading."

And the 24-year-old singer can't go anywhere without being recognised.

He explained: "It's a really weird world. I don't think there's anywhere I could be anonymous now. In New York [where Gigi is based], you can sometimes get out in the early hours of the morning for a walk. But there's no underground parking here, no escape routes. So they're going to get pictures, they're going to find you. In LA [his own usual US base], it's more catered to these things - you've got back entrances and that."