Selena Gomez and Zayn Malik’s rumored new romance may not have come out of nowhere, as reports suggest the two have a history together. According to Page Six, the 30-year-old singer recently enjoyed a secret romantic dinner date in New York with Gigi Hadid’s ex-boyfriend, 30, sparking renewed interest in their relationship.
Sources revealed that Selena and Zayn “had a thing” back in 2012, around the time when Selena’s close friend Taylor Swift was dating Zayn’s former One Direction bandmate, Harry Styles. A music industry insider shared, “They had a thing years ago, when Taylor and Harry were dating. It doesn’t surprise me at all that they’re potentially together [today].” Taylor and Harry dated briefly in late 2012.
Another insider told Us Weekly that Zayn is “definitely into” Selena, although their relationship isn’t described as “super serious” or “exclusive.” The source explained, “Zayn has known Selena for years and he’s definitely into her. He’s always admired her and thinks she’s an incredible person, inside and out. She’s free to see other people. However, Zayn would love to continue to see Selena and see where things go.”
Recent sightings of the pair together further fueled speculation. According to reports, they were seen holding hands and kissing during their dinner date in SoHo, New York. An eyewitness shared with Entertainment Tonight, “Selena and Zayn went out in SoHo in New York City last night at around 10:30 pm. They walked in holding hands and were kissing.”
The dating rumors intensified after a viral TikTok video from Klarissa Garcia claimed her friend, a restaurant hostess, witnessed Zayn and Selena kissing during their dinner. These claims were supported by additional sources describing the pair as “comfortable together” and enjoying each other’s company during their outing.
Selena, who has been friends with One Direction’s Niall Horan for years, is notably one of the only 18 people Zayn follows on Instagram, adding a layer of intrigue to their rumored relationship.
If the rumors prove true, it could mark a fresh start for Zayn amid reports of family concerns over his well-being and his documented struggles with anxiety and cannabis use. Sources close to Zayn suggest that his family hopes Selena, who is described as spiritual and potentially grounding, could be a positive influence on him.
Selena herself has a history of high-profile relationships within the music industry, including her past romances with Justin Bieber and The Weeknd. Her on-off relationship with Justin ended for good in 2018, shortly before he married Hailey Baldwin.