Zayn Malik’s management team, Zenkai Management, has reportedly ended its professional relationship with him after claims that he attacked Louis Tomlinson during the filming of a Netflix road-trip series. The allegations include an on-set remark about Tomlinso
Zayn Malik’s solo career has hit another jolt behind the scenes after claims that he physically attacked former One Direction bandmate Louis Tomlinson last year — and now, his management team is reportedly walking away.
Zenkai Management, which had represented Malik since 2022, has ended its professional relationship with the singer, according to a report by The Sun. The parting comes with wording that points to strain that had been building, not something that happened overnight.
“It’s no secret that Zayn isn’t the easiest character to work with and his team stood by him through thick and thin. ” a source told the outlet. “But things reached a point where his management felt they couldn’t do anything else, and they recently resigned. Now he is looking for the third manager of his solo career. It’s not a good look,” they added.
The latest shake-up is tied to allegations that during filming for a Netflix road-trip show. Malik and Tomlinson got into a physical fight. The series was billed as a multi-million-pound project. expected to feature former One Direction members traveling across the United States while reflecting on their lives and revisiting memories from their time together.
The dispute, according to claims that surfaced later, escalated during a confrontation while the pair were filming on location. It’s said to have followed an offensive remark Malik made about Tomlinson’s mother. Johannah Deakin. who died from leukemia in 2016. The show’s filming circumstances are part of the story too: the confrontation was reported to have occurred after filming reached Wyoming. with the altercation allegedly taking place outdoors in front of numerous witnesses.
The Sun’s account describes how the situation moved from tension to violence. “The lads were filming on location. Zayn started acting up and was mouthing off. It spiraled into a row, then Zayn made a remark about Louis’ mum Johannah. Louis was stunned and in shock. As he went to move, Zayn then attacked him. Zayn punched him straight in the face. Because he was wearing rings it cut Louis’ head.”.
Crew members reportedly stepped in to separate them before Tomlinson was taken for medical treatment. The allegations go on to say Tomlinson suffered a concussion after the fight.
Since then, the relationship between the former bandmates has reportedly remained frozen. Louis Tomlinson has not been in contact with Zayn Malik since the fight.
Reports of the altercation first surfaced in December 2025. with The Sun later citing additional sources about what happened during filming after it had reached Wyoming. In a separate account shared with the publication. an insider said the remark about Johannah Deakin was the most hurtful element of the confrontation for Tomlinson.
“Zayn knew how much Johannah means to Louis and his family. It made Louis so upset, it was clear there was no way he would ever return to filming with Zayn. The decision was taken to axe the series,” the insider added.
For Malik, the reported management split signals a fresh consequence tied to a controversy that has already derailed the Netflix project and deepened the fallout with Tomlinson.
Zayn Malik Louis Tomlinson Zenkai Management Netflix road-trip show Johannah Deakin One Direction Wyoming filming concussion December 2025 entertainment news