Zayn Maliks Manager Sarah Stennett Has Quit

Photo: Mike Coppola/FilmMagic.

The woman managing Zayn Malik's career is now moving in a new direction. According to Variety, Malik's manager Sarah Stennett has severed ties with the singer. Stennett, the co-founder of First Access Entertainment, first began repping the former One Direction star in 2015, when he chose to leave the boy band and pursue a solo career.

Stennett told Variety that choosing to terminate her working relationship with Malik was not an easy decision to make, but one that she saw as for the best:

"Sometimes in life you have to make extremely difficult decisions to effect positive change for everyone," the manager explained to the outlet.

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Still, the news comes with some baggage. Per W, sources claimed that Malik displayed "challenging" behavior in recent months. This allegedly stemmed from the "Pillowtalk" singer's decision not to take his album on tour as well as declining "many promotional opportunities."

It's worth noting, however, that Malik has long been open about his own struggles with mental health: He has publicly discussed his battle with anxiety as well as with an eating disorder, the latter of which he stated he developed while busy working with One Direction. In 2016, Malik even opened up about canceling a concert due to debilitating anxiety.

Tabloids, who picked up the story of Stennett's departure, were quick to use terms like "diva" to describe Malik. Fans, however, clapped back, believing that Malik's decision to not go out on tour was an act of self-care.

I wanna fight Zayn’s ex manager?. How do you release a half assed statement having people think he’s a snob when the guy has ANXIETY and didn’t feel comfortable touring? How do you feel good spinning that narrative to suit yourself? Kmt
— Ms. Sinclvir (@Siinclviir_) April 18, 2018

So what if he's been declining those promotions and touring shits? Let him decide it's his life tho. And btw zayn still has this stage anxiety so dont push him to go on tours
— aquirah ? (@aquirxh) April 18, 2018

I actually have so much respect for Zayn ?? like he put his health and himself first. He talked about his ED and anxiety quite openly in a world where toxic masculinity exists and men are not ‘allowed’ to have mental issues or to show any emotions. I love a genuinely good man
— skye ❝ THANK YOU Z (@niazversus) April 18, 2018

That he putted his health first that time but she didn't even think about it nor give af? They even did it to other artists

Thank God zayn now feel better and his anxiety now under control and he will go for tour this year he got ride from ppl only caring about money . pic.twitter.com/gz9DMDo07O
— Z018 (@Z018_is_coming) April 18, 2018

Like omg I am so angry, Zayn is in fact not "hard to work with" or a "diva" like this guy has anxiety, ever had this idea to help him instead of talking complete Bulls*** wtf is wrong with them ?!
— Miriam ? (@miri2110) April 18, 2018

In addition to Malik, First Access Entertainment also stopped managing Ellie Goulding earlier this year. She then joined Tap Management, the company that reps Lana Del Rey and Dua Lipa. If First Access Entertainment wasn't the right fit for Malik at this point in his career, I'm sure there will be another company eager to see what his next chapter as an artist holds.

Refinery29 has reached out to First Access Entertainment and reps for Zayn Malik. We will update this post should we hear back.

If you are experiencing anxiety and are in need of crisis support, please call the Crisis Call Center’s 24-hour hotline at 1-775-784-8090.

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Zayn Malik's Manager Has Quit

Zayn Malik's Manager Just Quit Him

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