Overview
- Speaking at a recent Stockholm concert, Abel Tesfaye told fans he tested retiring The Weeknd but decided he does not want to disappear and will continue performing under the moniker.
- Tesfaye signaled the change after years of public debate about ending the persona, including comments in 2025 that he was considering retirement and later saying he was ‘brainstorming’ the idea while on tour.
- He says a difficult performance at SoFi Stadium, where he lost his voice, prompted him to reassess the timing of any exit but did not ultimately push him to retire the name.
- Tesfaye describes The Weeknd as a ‘mastered’ persona he cannot fully give up and plans to pursue acting and film projects while using his real name or another moniker for some side work.
- The decision matters for fans and the live business because the tour has been a major commercial success and will continue to use The Weeknd identity while his branching into film could shift how he releases future projects.