Zayn Malik has prompted fresh speculation about his relationship with former One Direction bandmate Harry Styles after making a remark about ticket prices during a recent live performance in Las Vegas.

The singer is nearing the end of a seven-night residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM, where he has debuted unreleased material including the song “Die For Me”. During his show on Wednesday, Malik addressed the audience and thanked fans for attending. “Who’s from Vegas? Who’s from elsewhere?” he asked, before adding: “I just want to say a big, big thank you to each and every single one of you for being here with me tonight. You could’ve been anywhere, [but] you decided to spend your night with me.”

He then made a lighthearted comment that quickly drew attention online. “Hopefully the ticket prices weren’t too high – just saying!” Malik said, smiling before continuing with the show.

Many fans interpreted the remark as a reference to ongoing discussion around ticket prices for Harry Styles’ upcoming Wembley Stadium dates. Pre-sales for Styles’ summer shows began earlier this week, with Ticketmaster confirming prices ranging from £44.10 to £466.25, including fees. Rear pitch standing tickets are priced at £144.65, front standing at £198.95 and pit standing at £279.45. Ticketmaster has stated that dynamic pricing will not be used.

The prices sparked mixed reactions online, with some fans describing them as excessive, while others defended the cost given demand. By comparison, standard tickets for Malik’s Las Vegas shows range from $92.98 to $223.39, though premium and resale tickets have been listed at higher prices.

Social media reaction to Malik’s comment was divided, with some users calling it “shade” and others accusing the singer of hypocrisy. Neither Malik nor Styles has commented further.

Malik is set to play the final two dates of his Vegas residency this weekend. Styles, meanwhile, is preparing for a record-breaking 12-night run at Wembley Stadium as part of his global Together, Together Tour, during which he will donate £1 from every ticket sold to support grassroots music venues.