The Grammy-winning Canadian singer/songwriter, who real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, says in a new interview that his upcoming album will be the last under his stage moniker.
- May 9, 2023
AceShowbiz - The Weeknd is working on his final album. The Canadian singer/songwriter, born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, has revealed that he is ready to bid farewell his famous persona with his next album.
In a new cover story for W Magazine to promote his upcoming HBO series "The Idol", the 33-year-old says his next album will be his last under the moniker that made his famous. "The album I'm working on now is probably my last hurrah as The Weeknd," he shares. "This is something that I have to do. As The Weeknd, I've said everything I can say."
As he explains in the interview, the former boyfriend of Bella Hadid and Selena Gomez says he's "going through a cathartic path right now." He adds, "It's getting to a place and a time where I'm getting ready to close The Weeknd chapter."
As he's branching out into his "new creative muscle" of film and television work, the "Blinding Lights" hitmaker assures, "I'll still make music, maybe as Abel, maybe as The Weeknd. But I still want to kill The Weeknd. And I will. Eventually. I'm definitely trying to shed that skin and be reborn."
Admitting that it's not easy for him to step into acting, the Grammy winner says, "It was a challenge to redo 'The Idol', and, in truth, I sacrificed my health and home to make it work. So, let's say it comes out and it's f**king horrible."
Still, he takes pride in his hard work. "I still know I did my absolute best," he claims. "From what I've seen, the show is great. Everything is a risk: When you've done the best you can, I would call that a happy ending."
The new issue of W Magazine, which also features interview with The Weeknd's "The Idol" co-star Lily-Rose Depp, will hit the stands on May 23. The show, meanwhile, will premiere on June 4 on HBO.
