VIDEO : Zayn Malik Signs With RCA With Help From Simon Cowell

The Zayn Malik solo era is firing up as he's officially signed on with RCA Records, with a little help from Simon Cowell. Sources say Cowell was the go-between for Zayn and RCA. He's reportedly been negotiating the deal for a couple of weeks. Zayn's former band meanwhile, is signed to Columbia and Syco. Insiders add that Cowell, who created One Direction, felt RCA was the best place for Malik to succeed as a solo artist. Malik left the band back in March.