The One Direction star has been released on bail after an altercation with a paparazzo and two girls at Los Angeles International Airport on Friday , and the Little Mix singer – who was previously engaged to Louis’ former band mate Zayn Malik – has defended him for simply “protecting his girlfriend” Eleanor Calder. Perrie, 23, said: “It’s a hard situation because you don’t know how you would act unless you’re in that situation, but Louis is such a nice guy.