Zayn Malik is the only artist to receive the Billboard Music Award for Top New Artist twice—once as a group member and once as a solo artist.
Malik first won in 2013 as a member of One Direction. The group’s victory came during its rapid rise after the release of albums such as Up All Night and Take Me Home, when songs including “What Makes You Beautiful” made the band a global pop phenomenon.
After leaving One Direction, Malik won the award again in 2017 as a solo performer. His solo debut album, Mind of Mine, arrived in 2016 and was led by “Pillowtalk,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100. That group-to-solo combination makes his record unique in the category’s history.
Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, and Harry Styles have each had major careers connected to groups or solo work, but none matches this exact Top New Artist award record. One Direction is the 2013 winner; Zayn Malik is the 2017 winner.