Lauer Gets Booed By One Directions Fans …
“Today” co-host Matt Lauer sat down with One Direction on Monday as they promoted their new album, “Four,” and asked the hard question about missing member Zayn Malik.
Today Show host quizzed the pop stars on Malik’s absence, noting there were “rumours of substance abuse”, and the singer is not happy the journalist ventured into this topic this on live television.
“I’m really angry and upset by what was said on The Today Show. I was really ill at the weekend, that’s why I couldn’t fly to America,” Malik told British newspaper The Sun.
When Payne told anchor Matt that bandmate Malik was suffering from a “tummy bug”, the journalist didn’t seem satisfied with the answer and pushed the inquiry further.
“There has been a lot of action on social media about him,” The Today Show star said. ‘Is it something more serious than just a minor illness? There have been rumours of substance abuse: what’s going on?”
In response, Payne reaffirmed Malik was at home with “a stomach bug”, claiming his bandmate “needs to rest”.
Lauer’s line of questioning was received by boos from One Direction fans in the audience.
And Malik told The Sun he was focused on recuperating, because he wanted to rejoin his colleagues on the road as the band promotes their new album, Four.
“As soon as I’m feeling better I’m going to join the guys and carry on with the promotion for the album,” the singer said.
“I was gutted to have to miss album release day. But I’m going to be back as soon as I can.”
One Direction was rocked by a drugs scandal earlier this year, when Tomlinson and Malik were captured on camera smoking what appeared to be marijuana.
Agencies/Canadajournal