Reality TV
Rebecca Ferguson blasts 'sexist' criticism of Zayn Malik romance
Published Wednesday, Jan 18 2012, 11:37 GMT | By Daniel Sperling | 11 comments
Rebecca Ferguson has described criticism of her relationship with One Direction member Zayn Malik as "sexist".
The 'Nothing's Real But Love' singer began dating the teenager in March 2011, but they split four months later.
Reflecting on the short-lived romance, Ferguson argued that the six-year age gap between the couple would not have been commented on if the genders were reversed.
"Let's be fair, if it was a lad who was 24 dating an 18-year-old girl, everyone would have just said, 'Oh, that's your girlfriend - nice one', and that would have been the end of it," she told Now. "I think the reaction to us was a bit sexist."
Ferguson has, however, spoken out against Xtra Factor host Caroline Flack's alleged relationship with Malik's bandmate Harry Styles. The pair are separated by a 15-year age difference.
"I think there's something not right about Caroline and Harry," she said. "For me and Zayn it was different, because he was 18 so at least he could drive over to pick me up, we could go for a drink in a bar together and he was old enough to make his own decisions.
"But Harry is too young for that and there is so much more of an age gap between them."
Ferguson announced last week that 'Too Good To Lose' will serve as the second single from her debut album Heaven.
> Rebecca Ferguson: 'Zayn Malik split was a great big lesson'
Watch Rebecca Ferguson in the video for 'Nothing's Real But Love' below:
The 'Nothing's Real But Love' singer began dating the teenager in March 2011, but they split four months later.
© Ken McKay/TalkbackThames/Rex Features
© Jonathan Hordle/Rex Features
Reflecting on the short-lived romance, Ferguson argued that the six-year age gap between the couple would not have been commented on if the genders were reversed.
"Let's be fair, if it was a lad who was 24 dating an 18-year-old girl, everyone would have just said, 'Oh, that's your girlfriend - nice one', and that would have been the end of it," she told Now. "I think the reaction to us was a bit sexist."
Ferguson has, however, spoken out against Xtra Factor host Caroline Flack's alleged relationship with Malik's bandmate Harry Styles. The pair are separated by a 15-year age difference.
"I think there's something not right about Caroline and Harry," she said. "For me and Zayn it was different, because he was 18 so at least he could drive over to pick me up, we could go for a drink in a bar together and he was old enough to make his own decisions.
"But Harry is too young for that and there is so much more of an age gap between them."
Ferguson announced last week that 'Too Good To Lose' will serve as the second single from her debut album Heaven.
> Rebecca Ferguson: 'Zayn Malik split was a great big lesson'
Watch Rebecca Ferguson in the video for 'Nothing's Real But Love' below:
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