Zayn Malik is back and he's not very happy.
The One Direction Member is reportedly upset with Matt Lauer after the "Today" show host suggested that he was absent from the group's NBC appearance because of his drug abuse problem.
The group appeared on the morning show Monday to promote their upcoming fourth studio album, "Four," however Malik was noticeably absent. One Direction member Liam Payne told Lauer that Malik had a "tummy bug."
"He's got a tummy bug so he's not very well," Payne explained. "We only found out this morning so we're really sad, he is as well, that he can't be here for our album release... It's still going to be a great day, I'm sure."
But Lauer pushed on with the drug use questions.
"Liam, 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," Lauer said. "Is it something more serious than just a minor illness? There have been rumors of substance abuse. What's going on?"
Payne responded, "No, he's just got a stomach bug. He's OK. He's just at home. He just needs to rest. He's okay."
The Sun reported that Malik was not happy with Lauer's comments, saying, "I'm really angry and upset by what was said on the 'Today' show," the pop star said. "I was really ill at the weekend, that's why I couldn't fly to America. I was gutted to have to miss album release day, but I'm going to be back as soon as I can."
He added. "As soon as I'm feeling better I'm going to join the guys and carry on with the promotion for the album."
In May, Malik and Louis Tomlinson were caught on video smoking a joint, while joking about using drugs.
Payne later apologized for his bandmates actions, writing on Twitter, "I love my boys and maybe things have gone a little sideways I apologise for that. We are only in our 20's we all do stupid things at this age. We all have a lot of growing up to do in an extreme circumstance I'm not making excuse but it's fact we are gunna fall short somewhere."
