“I need to get into a mindset for that, but I just don’t feel like doing it anymore,” Tesfaye says about his work as The Weeknd.
After almost 16 years of performing as The Weeknd, Abel Tesfaye is thinking about retiring his well-known stage name after wrapping up his upcoming projects.
In a recent interview with Variety to promote his new album Hurry Up Tomorrow, releasing on January 24, Tesfaye shared his thoughts on his music journey. He also reflected on a moment at California’s SoFi Stadium in September 2022, where his voice gave out after just four songs, forcing him to cancel the rest of the show. Later, when he visited his doctor, the results showed no physical issues.
That’s when I realized it was all in my head,
Tesfaye said, while pointing at his head

Tesfaye admits that juggling a busy schedule and dealing with mental exhaustion has been tough as he prepares to release Hurry Up Tomorrow. The album has been promoted with billboards hinting at an ending and social media posts suggesting this might be his final “chapter.” When Variety asked what he meant by “closing this chapter,” Tesfaye said, “I would say it’s my time as The Weeknd.”
It’s a mindset I need to step into, but I just don’t feel like doing it anymore. You create a persona, but then it turns into a constant race—more awards, more success, more shows, more albums, and more No. 1 hits. It never ends until you end it.
He added,
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Tesfaye reflected on his canceled 2022 show and shared his thoughts:
Part of me felt like losing my voice was a sign. Maybe I’ve said everything I needed to say. Why stay too long at the party when you can leave happy? It felt like the right time to wrap things up. The new album Hurry Up Tomorrow? It all connects. When else would be a better time to step away than at your peak? Once people fully understand who I am, it’s time to change direction.
While Tesfaye plans to end this chapter as The Weeknd, he made it clear that he won’t stop making music.
I don’t think I can ever stop creating music, But it needs to feel like a challenge. Right now, The Weeknd, whatever that means, feels complete. No one else can do it better than me, and I’ve already taken it as far as it can go. I’ve faced every challenge with this persona, and that’s why I’m excited about this new movie—it’s a fresh challenge.
he said
I just want to see what comes next, I want to find out what tomorrow holds.
he added
Tesfaye’s sixth studio album as The Weeknd, Hurry Up Tomorrow, is set to come out on January 24. Just a few months later, on May 16, Lionsgate will release a film with the same title. Directed by Trey Edward Shults (Waves, It Comes at Night), this movie will be Tesfaye’s first time starring in a feature film. The film connects closely to the upcoming album, serving as its continuation in a new form.
Source: Billboard