Zayn Malik Fuming Over Matt Lauer’s Substance Abuse Accusations

Published on November 18, 2014.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by David Fisher/REX

Today show host Matt Lauer has angered many people and many celebrities through his interviews as he is known for crossing the line and throwing around accusations, trying to get a good story.

He has done it once again when he received heated backlash from several One Direction fans after Lauer asked the band about “substance abuse issues” in the wake of Zayn Malik’s absence from the show.

The band was doing a special edition of the Today show on Monday (Nov 17) from Orlando, Florida at Universal Studios for the release of their newest album, Four, but there were only four of the One Directioners present.

Malik’s bandmate Liam Payne explained Zayn’s absent by telling Lauer he had a “tummy bug” and could not make the flight from England to Florida for the gig.

Matt Lauer wouldn’t just accept the explanation stating, “There’s obviously a lot of concern, a lot of fans have been tweeting overnight. There’s been a lot of action on social media about him. Is it something more serious than just a minor illness? There have been rumors of substance abuse. What’s going on?”

Payne continued to reassure Lauer and the crowd it was in fact only a stomach virus, however the band did not seemed to pleased by the question.

Although they handled the line of questioning well, Malik responded to the accusations stating, “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 also reassured fans that he will be joining his band as soon as possible as they continue the promotion for Four.

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