The Weeknd confirms the end of existence of The Weeknd

[TaylorSwift 161,414]

In many ways The Weeknd is a character for Abel Tesfaye to inhabit, a costume to put on when he goes onstage or picks up a mic. 

During the interview for Variety, after a couple of references to "closing this chapter," he's asked which chapter, exactly, he is referring to - the "After Hours" trilogy or his existence as the Weeknd? After a pause, he says, "I would say my existence as the Weeknd."
 

"It's a headspace I've gotta get into that I just don't have any more desire for. I feel like it comes with so much..."
"You have a persona, but then you have the competition of it all. It becomes this rat race: more accolades, more success, more shows, more albums, more awards and more No. 1s. It never ends until you end it."

The moment at SoFi stadium when he lost his voice played a role as well. "Part of me actually was thinking. 'You lost your voice because it's done; you said what you had to say. Don't overstay at the party — you can end it now and live a happy life. You know? Put the bow on it: 'Hurry Up Tomorrow.' Now we're here. When is the right time to leave, if not at your peak? Once you understand who I i am too much, then it's time to pivot." He's not saying he's quitting music: "I don't think I can stop doing that."

"But everything needs to feel like a challenge. And for me right now, the Weeknd, whatever that is, it's been mastered. No one's gonna do the Weeknd better than me, and I'm not gonna do it better than what it is right now. I think I've overcome every challenge as this persona, and that's why I'm really excited about this film 'Hurry Up Tomorrow', because I love this challenge.

"But I just want to know what comes after. I want to know what tomorrow looks like."
https://variety.com/2025/music/news/the-weeknd-hurry-up-tomorrow-interview-ending-career-1236268897/

[HIMER0S 663]

ok

[LG2008 6,296]

Um  ok 

Imagine Gaga doing this 

[63grekke 1,440]

cringe.

[Bradley 60,028]

9 minutes ago, 63grekke said:

cringe.

Wtf this duality conflict is literally what Gaga has been talking about for years.

[TheLadyInRed 1,759]

Well. He was honestly the only male performer who was able to put on a great show, that’s too bad…  

[Chesescake 4,109]

...Trilogy? End persona? Critical and commercial acclaimed?

[Kayioshka 3,216]

This make a way more sense that he is featured on "Dance in The Shadow" that is about the fluidity of his and Gaga's identities 

It's like a moon phase 

[chun li 3,056]

The character being...? Wearing gloves?

I swear the bar is so low for male performers

[high culture 2,362]

He wants to be Marina and The Diamonds so bad

[Cpeer 5,071]

Was the Weeknd a band? Honestly I never cared or listened to. 
 

Since he was the face of everything I doubt he’ll have a problem to continue his career 

[Robo Ga 15,612]

12 minutes ago, chun li said:

The character being...? Wearing gloves?

omg you cooked him 

[timdrake 1,712]

16 minutes ago, chun li said:

The character being...? Wearing gloves?

I swear the bar is so low for male performers

I choked 

[ChicaSkas 24,030]

Like Chappell, like Adele, he needs a break to be human. Let him rest. 

[LilMonst3r 5,671]

As an artist I see where he’s coming from the weekend Is this coked out party boy who  is a sadist. Sometimes it’s hard to split the two for me like who is the real Abel? 
 

For example, the work that he did with that HBO show that he got a lot of criticism for, I felt like he was really just diving into a character, portraying it as specific type of misogynistic man in the music industry today. One who abuses his power and influence and falls from grace. I wonder if thats the reason he is looking to step away from the persona. Cause it eventually becomes what everyone expects him to be. Artists can channel characters and use the personas imaginary circumstances to influence their art. It always isn't a full representation of who the artist is as a person. Yet the public takes them at face value.