Liam Payne Responds to Backlash Over Zayn Malik Comments: 'That's Family'

Singer Liam Payne issued a statement Thursday clarifying comments he made about former One Direction bandmate Zayn Malik during his recent appearance on Logan Paul's podcast, Impaulsive.

During the interview, Payne commented on Malik's "upbringing," and said he "can't commend some of the things" the "Dusk Till Dawn" singer has done, according to CNN. Payne also said that while there are "many reasons" why he dislikes his former bandmate, he will "always be on [Malik's] side."

Following the podcast's release, Payne received a slew of online critiques for his comments about Malik. In response, the "Strip That Down" singer apologized, stating he "didn't articulate [himself] as well as [he] could have."

"Guys—I wouldn't normally comment on this stuff but when [it's] your family it's hard to let it slide. They mentioned a specific incident involving Zayn which I responded to—but listening back maybe I didn't articulate myself as well as I could have," he tweeted.

"I was saying that there will always be things we disagree on but that I will always, always be on his side. That's family. Zayn is my brother and I will stand by him forever," he concluded.

Payne's tweets have amassed a combined total of more than 150,000 likes, as well as thousands of comments, many from fans sending their love and support to the "Sunshine" singer.

"We forgive and love you," wrote @darkyonce92.

"We love you, Liam. You don't have to explain yourself," tweeted @navypaths.

"Liam I will support you always. I understood what you meant but the internet took it the wrong way and I am so f**king sorry...Love you always," added @louissunharry.

Others, meanwhile, doubled down in their defense of Malik, calling Payne's initial comments "disrespectful."

"Liam what you said was extremely disrespectful toward Zayn, his family and his private life. you know he's a private person and you had no right to say that stuff about him. I thought you were better than that," said @matteroftimelrh.

"Unfortunately you [were] still so disrespectful towards Zayn (the way you spoke about his family was unfair) regardless of how you meant things that is not how they came across," commented @fo0lforlou.

Rachel asked: "Why would you comment on how he was raised then? not your place at all."

It's not the first time Payne's gone viral for something other than music.

In March, Payne went viral after offering his thoughts on the infamous Will Smith slap.

"I believe that he felt whatever he did, he had the right to do. I also felt there were three losers in one fight. He didn't know, being Chris Rock, he didn't do what he had to do, being Will Smith, and she did nothing, being Jada," Payne told U.K. breakfast show Good Morning Britain.

And last summer, the pop star made headlines after telling podcast host and entrepreneur Steven Bartlett that One Direction "would have killed" him if it carried on.