Zayn Malik turns his talents to television as he joins Hollywood show about a boy band
Former One Direction star will share his experience and knowledge with cast and crew
ZAYN MALIK hated being in a boy band — but that hasn’t put off the former One Direction star from creating a TV show about one.
I can reveal the singer is making his first foray in television by becoming Executive Producer on a TV series about a 1D style group.
Therefore expect the plot lines to have a joyous start, a testing middle and an ugly ending.
A source said: “This is a big deal for Zayn. He has been keen to get stuck into different projects outside of music and this is the perfect move.
“It’s a subject he knows lots about and he will call upon his experiences to advise the scriptwriters on the show.
“If the series does well, he’ll receive plenty of kudos in the industry.”
The chances of the show succeeding in a very competitive market have been boosted by the fact the series is being produced by the makers of the global hit Entourage.
The Emmy-winning US series ran for eight series and sparked its own film last year.
RELATED STORIES
The drama will be about a fictional boy band who go through the trials and tribulations of earning a record label to becoming a global phenomenon.
The plan for the group is to become genuine music artists who’ll launch a chart career off the back of it.
Casting kicks off in LA next month, so Zayn will be consulting scriptwriters and producers during the selection process.
Zayn’s latest career move comes days after he opened up about his desire to start acting, like his former band mate Harry Styles who’s currently filming WW1 movie Dunkirk.
He said: “I started acting when I was in school with theatre studies and then music came after.
“It completely stopped when I joined the band but I’d definitely be interested if I was given the right role.”
Given he’s Executive Producer, he even has the power to cast himself in the show.
Perhaps this time he could engineer a happy farewell.
Is that a Rih-lie bin?
Not only is she preparing a new album, it seems RIHANNA’s getting creative with her bin bags too.
Ahead of her return to music, she was draped in this weird outfit for a post-apocalyptic-themed photoshoot in which she was meant to look like “the last woman on Earth”.
But in another snap on the cover she was far more regal, wearing a tiara and with jewels decorating her face.
The W Magazine shoot was worlds away from her performance at the OVO Festival in Toronto last weekend, where she twerked onstage with DRAKE.
Perhaps she had to strip off to put the rubbish out.
Choosy Jack dumps the shark
JACK WHITEHALL is so serious about making it in Hollywood, he is already rejecting roles.
He declined to join, erm, greats like DAVID HASSELHOFF and JEDWARD in novelty flick Sharknado 4 after (very brief) consideration. Jack told me: “It’s scary how tempted I was to do it but my agent would never work with me again.”
The Sharknado series of straight-to-TV films has won a cult following with silly tales of freak storms flooding cities with hungry sharks. Star IAN ZIERING reckons Jack is missing out.
At the premiere in Las Vegas, Ian said: “To be part of a project that reaches so many people is like catching lightning in a bottle. To think we are garnering the attention and excitement of James Bond, I really have to pinch myself.”
I’m not sure a few oddball telly viewers are a match for £660million at the box office.
Rih's Newman
She kept us waiting more than three years for comeback album Anti.
But after failing to set the world alight, RIHANNA isn’t taking the risk of falling out of practice again.
I can reveal the singer has started work on a secret follow-up record and has hired RUDIMENTAL and LITTLE MIX songwriter JAMES NEWMAN – older brother of chart star JOHN – to pen lyrics for one of the tunes.
The Brit Award-winner will head to Los Angeles next month to work with producers.
James, who has just released his own debut single If You’re Not Going To Love Me with DC BREAKS, said of the Rihanna track: “It’s going to be good, catchy pop that sounds current with cool lyrics.” Exciting.
Sam's Vard sale
FORMER X Factor winner SAM BAILEY is the latest star to try to bag a role in the JAMIE VARDY biopic.
The singer is pals with the footballer and used his wedding in May to ask director Adrian Butchart for a part.
In an exclusive chat, she said: “I cheekily asked him, ‘If you’re filming up to the wedding, am I going to be in it? Who is going to play me then, or should I play myself?’”
Sam, who releases single Sing My Heart Out on Friday, sang at the nuptials, which were also attended by LOUIS TOMLINSON, who is expected to play Jamie in the movie.
If it’s a no from Adrian she can always hassle Jamie direct via their WhatsApp group, where the Leicester City star is “full of banter”.
Should be a comedy blockbuster, then.
Bieb's Tay dig
The bitter feud between TAYLOR SWIFT and KANYE WEST has divided showbiz – and now we know which side JUSTIN BIEBER is on.
Biebs put this FaceTime grab on Instagram showing him in the bottom of the screen while Kanye and his pals beam in the corner. He added the caption: “Taylor swift what up”.
Tay has denied she okayed the lyrics for Kanye’s song Famous – but KIM KARDASHIAN shared a recording of the conversation which they say showed she did.
Now Team Kanye have the backing of their most famous recruit yet – prompting #Taylor SwiftWhatUp to trend worldwide. He’s on holiday in Hawaii, but Biebs still has no chill.
Where's the love?
FERGIE has let slip the BLACK EYED PEAS are planning a comeback without her.
The singer hasn’t performed with bandmates WILL.I.AM, APL.DE.AP and TABOO since 2011 and it doesn’t sound like she’ll be joining them for their anticipated reunion.
Speaking on Capital FM, she said: “I mean, I love the guys. I just saw them the other day.
“They’re seriously like my brothers. And right now we don’t have any plans set.
“But I know they’re doing something together that I can’t really talk about.”
Where is the love, eh guys?
James stunt
JAMES CORDEN can add being a stuntman to his CV . . . but I doubt he’ll be doing it again.
He played MATT DAMON’s double on the set of Jason Bourne in a sketch for The Late Late Show in the US.
But James didn’t see the funny side after being made to jump off a building, getting punched and hit by a train.
Matt joked: “He has got an extremely punchable face.”
Don’t give up the day job, James.
Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220