Zayn Malik enjoyed some down time after his concert in New York City.

The former One Direction star, 32, was seen puffing on a cigarette after the second of his two shows in Manhattan on his Stairway to the Sky tour. 

Zayn wore a red plaid shirt and tan pants for his smoke break as he was seen exiting an SUV after his show at the Hammerstein Ballroom. 

The tour is his first ever solo tour and it supports his album Room Under the Stairs. 

The concerts come after the tragic death of his One Direction bandmate Liam Payne.

As he tours the United States, the star, who shares a four-year-old named Khai with his ex Gigi Hadid, has been paying tribute to his late friend at the end of his set during his song Stardust.

Zayn Malik enjoyed some down time after his concert in New York City 

The chorus of the song is especially poignant in light of Payne’s death.

‘Feels like stardust / Fallin’ all around us /Funny how it found us,’ the lyrics go in part.

Read More Fans praise Zayn Malik after realising his live band is all-female

Zayn’s tour has become notable for another reason as well. His entire backing band is made up of women. 

His band has become celebrities recently after going viral on social media.

The star employed seven women to accompany him on tour: guitarist Molly Miller, the drummer who goes by Baby Bulldog, singers Lisa Ramey, Tahira Clayton and Rebecca Haviland, keyboard player Tina Hizon and bᴀssist Ryan Madora.

Lisa took to Instagram earlier this week to share some snaps of the band, alongside the caption: ‘The ladies say hello.’

Zayn has also posted pictures of the group together, starting with one taken in May before the tour kicked off.

Fans rushed to social media to share their praise for the star. One person wrote on X (formerly Twitter): ‘Zayn’s all girl band is the H๏τtest thing he could’ve done.’

The former One Direction star, 32, was seen smoking a cigarette after the second of his two shows in Manhattan on his Stairway to the Sky tour

The former One Direction star, 31, is currently performing across the UK on his Stairway to the Sky UK tour. Pictured with the band and other team members in May

The tour is his first ever solo tour and it supports his album Room Under the Stairs

The concerts come after the death of his One Direction bandmate Liam Payne 

‘Zayn really said “NO MEN IN MY BAND” i feel u z, women are always better, i love u for that.’

‘Zayn growing up surrounded by women and then later ᴀssembling a band that is predominantly female just makes me smile he really is for women by women.’

‘Zayn’s all-women band calling themselves “ZWEETIES” – everything about this tour is so wholesome and cute man.’

‘ALL WOMEN BAND YESSSS ZAYN YOU THE REAL ONE.’

‘Zayn’s band is all female, because he said he likes being surrounded by women cause it feels like HOME he’s surrounded by sisters at home.’

‘You gotta love girl power! Thank you Zayn.’

‘Zayn’s band is made up of only women, I love the way he always stands out as women and gives us all the value we deserve.’ 

‘As a female drummer surrounded by only men in my field… this heals me a little.’ 

He pays tribute to his friend at the end of his set during this tour with his song Stardust

Zayn’s backing band have become somewhat celebrities of their own in recent days after going viral on social media

It comes after Zayn issued a heartfelt apology as he revealed the real reason for cancelling a show on his debut solo tour. 

Just minutes before he was due on stage in Newcastle, fans were left devastated when an announcement confirmed that he wouldn’t be performing.

A member of staff at concert told fans that the show ‘Will no longer go ahead tonight. We apologize for the late notice, it was his hope that he would be able to continue with the show.

‘But this is no longer possible. Please contact your point of purchase for reschedule or refunds.

‘If you have parents or guardians collecting you, please stay in the auditorium and wait to be collected.’

Zayn has since broken his silence on the incident, saying: ‘I’m just going to apologise to everybody in Newcastle yesterday. I’m sorry I didn’t make the show yesterday, my voice wasn’t working at all.