Featured

Lay Zhang Discusses His Music, Relationship With EXO, Charity Works And More

By  | 

Get to know Lay Zhang more in his latest interview!

Despite being in the entertainment industry for the past seven years and having a strong following on social media, EXO’s Lay Zhang continues to be surprised on the sheer amount of love he receives from fans.

“I’m a lucky guy,” the singer-songwriter said during his interview with Access, when asked about his thoughts on having a loyal fan base.

Lay

(Photo from Lay’s Weibo)

For him, his fans remain his motivation in pushing himself harder and achieving the best results from his hard work.

“I don’t want to disappoint my fans, that is why I always keep going and not give up,” he said.

And fans of the EXO member were surely not disappointed as he keeps making them proud with his long list of achievements, including his recent red carpet appearance at the 61st Grammy Awards and his last year’s chart-topping solo album NAMANANA.

Read: EXO’s Lay Zhang Makes Fans Proud With His Debut On The Grammys’ Red Carpet

NAMANANA marked the US debut album of Lay Zhang. Although the final product was an impressive collection of high quality songs, he remains humble, believing he can do much better.

“Just give me more time to figure it out,” he said.

He also admitted having difficulty in terms of the language as the album contains both English and Chinese tracks.

“I have to practice and learn. I get a lot of trouble with the pronunciation,” he said with a laugh.

Read: EXO’s Lay Proves He’s Unstoppable As “NAMANANA” Tops Charts

Aside from a jam-packed track list, NAMANANA once again highlighted the artistry of the singer-songwriter who penned, composed, and produced the 22 tracks of the album.

On his songwriting process, he shared that he makes the track first, then employs the help of his friends for the top line. They then come together to discuss the song more and its concept.

Asked about his dream collaborations, he named Cardi B, Drake, A$AP Ferg, Steve Aoki, and Khalid.

Previously, he met and collaborated with A$AP Ferg and Steve Aoki for a stage during a promotional event for a smartphone brand. He had also met Khalid and was among the guests on the latter’s 21st birthday party.

Read: Steve Aoki Says EXO’s Lay Got The Potential To Make It Big In The US

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtKviZlAwtE/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1ptcikxplrufo

Lay Zhang also named Justin Timberlake as his biggest influence, pointing to the American singer’s many talents including singing, dancing, and acting.

And the EXO member really seems to be following the path of Justin Timberlake as he himself has established himself as a multi-hyphenated artist and producer.

For one, Lay Zhang, like Justin Timberlake, is an excellent performer who impresses with his sleek dance moves.

“I like dance. I always practice and dance,” he said about his dancing.

Other than his on-stage charisma and on-point performances, the singer-songwriter is also taking over the fashion scene.

Recently, he became the brand ambassador of Valentino, which he named as his favorite brand because of its creative director Pier Paolo Piccioli’s artistry.

Read: EXO’s Lay Named The First Brand Ambassador Of Valentino’s Men’s Wear In The Greater China Region

Although he is occupied with his solo activities at present, Lay Zhang never forgets EXO and his fellow members. When asked about his relationship with Suho, Xiumin, Baekhyun, Chanyeol, Kai, D.O., Chen, and Sehun, he called them his brother.

“We grew up together,” he added.

The singer-songwriter made a brief participation on the boy group’s fifth full album Don’t Mess Up My Tempo. However, the political conflict between South Korea and China limited his activities with his members.

Read: Lay Says He Will Always Be Here For EXO

EXO

(Photo from SM Entertainment)

Despite all these successes, Lay Zhang keeps his feet deeply rooted on the ground as he always seeks to improve and better himself. He also shares his blessings to others through charity works.

He said he likes helping older people to whom we owe our present, and children who are our future.

Watch Lay Zhang’s full interview with Access below:

Related Items