The Weeknd reveals why he wants to stop using his stage name very soon
His real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye
Back in 2022, 'Blinding Lights' singer The Weeknd hinted that he might stop using his stage name, and now in 2025 the singer has opened up again. The singer, whose real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, has used this stage name for much of his time working as a singer, starting back in 2010.
The singer opened up in a recent interview with Variety, where he explained he'd like to stop using his stage name after the release of his next album. The Weeknd, or should we say Abel, will be releasing his next album 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' on 31st January.
During the interview, Abel discussed 'closing this chapter' a few times, and when asked what he meant by chapter he explained: "I would say my existence as The Weeknd."
He went on to say: "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 Number 1s. It never ends until you end it."
Despite wanting to close the chapter on The Weeknd, the singer confirmed he wouldn't be stopping music, saying: "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, because I love this challenge.
“But I just want to know what comes after I want to know what tomorrow looks like."
These latest comments come after last year The Weeknd changed many of his social media accounts to include his real name.
Two years ago, he also discussed the idea of changing his name in tweets that have now been deleted.
The Weeknd wrote: 'you guys are hilarious. i feel like i should change my stage name to ABEL at this point lol.' (sic)
Then, when John Legend wrote: 'ABEL is dope', the singer replied: 'i'm tempted'.
The Weeknd responded: 'ABEL formally known as The Weeknd ?' (sic)
He also asked his fans if he should: 'pull a YE'.
Referencing when Kanye West officially changed his name to Ye. In August 2021, Kanye formally requested to change his full name – Kanye Omari West – to Ye, and filed legal documents that cited "personal reasons" for the choice of name change. His application was proved by LA Superior Court judge Michelle Williams.
According to a Reddit thread, The Weeknd's stage name came about because: 'I hated my name at the time, so I tried it as a stage name.
'It sounded cool. I took out the ‘e’ because there was already a Canadian band named The Weekend (copyright issues).'
You can hear songs by The Weeknd on Downtown Radio.
Take a look at The Weeknd's career:
Before 2011: The Weeknd started his music career
In 2009, The Weeknd started to release music on YouTube anonymously. The singer later met with a producer called called Jeremy Rose who worked with him on some tracks.
The Weeknd then uploaded three of the songs to YouTube under the name xoxxxoooxo, which received attention from some well-known publications including The New York Times.
Before making a name for himself as The Weeknd, he also worked under the aliases the Noise and Kin Kane.
2012: The Weeknd released compilation album 'Trilogy'
In 2012, The Weeknd released his compilation album 'Trilogy', despite not having a lot of success in the UK chart, it reached the Top 5 in both his native Canada and the US.
2013: The Weeknd released 'Kiss Land'
The Weeknd followed the release of his first compilation album, with his debut studio album 'Kiss Land'. This album became a hit in the UK too, reaching Number 12 in the chart and the top spot in the UK R&B Albums chart.
2014: The Weeknd and Ariana Grande released 'Love Me Harder'
2014 was a busy year for The Weeknd, he co-wrote and released 'Love Me Harder' with Ariana Grande in September, followed by the Fifty Shades of Grey song 'Earned It' in December of that year.
2015: The Weeknd released 'Beauty Behind the Madness'
The Weeknd's big success started back in 2015 with the release of his second studio album 'Beauty Behind the Madness'. The singer released, 'The Hills' and 'Can't Feel My Face', which were both Top 3 hits in the UK.
2015: The Weeknd's 'The Madness Fall Tour'
The Weeknd supported the release of his album 'Beauty Behind the Madness' with 'The Madness Fall Tour'. The singer's tour took him across North America.
2016: The Weeknd performed at the Oscars
'Earned It' was nominated for Best Original Song at the 88th Academy Awards, after it featured in Fifty Shades of Grey.
The Weeknd performed his hit song at the Oscars, reenacting his sultry video.
2016: The Weeknd wins several Billboard Awards
The Weeknd won eight Billboard Awards in 2016, to date he has won 19! In 2016, the singer won awards for Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist, and Top R&B Artist.
He also won Top R&B Album for 'Beauty Behind the Madness', Top Streaming Song (Audio) for 'The Hills' and Top R&B Song for 'Earned It'.
2016: The Weeknd won two Grammy Awards
2016 was a big award year for The Weeknd. The singer was also nominated for several Grammys taking home Best R&B Performance for 'Earned It' and Best Urban Contemporary Album for 'Beauty Behind the Madness'.
2016 was also the year that The Weeknd released his third studio album 'Starboy', along with the song of the same name, and 'I Feel It Coming' both with Daft Punk.
2019: The Weeknd starred in the film Uncut Gems
The Weeknd appeared in the film Uncut Gems starring Adam Sandler, Julia Fox, Kevin Garnett, and Idina Menzel. The singer played himself hosting a party in a nightclub.
2020: The Weeknd's song 'Blinding Lights' becomes a TikTok hit
The Weeknd released 'Blinding Lights' in November 2019, but it became hugely popular in 2020 as it was the subject of a TikTok dance challenge at the beginning of the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic. The song also became his most popular to date.
Raising awareness of a drink-driving campaign, The Weeknd appeared at the 2020 American Music Awards with his head in bandages.
In an interview with Esquire The Weeknd explained that his song 'Blinding Lights' is about "how you want to see someone at night, and you're intoxicated, and you're driving to this person and you're just blinded by streetlights."
2021: Black Music Action Coalition's Music in Action Awards
The Weeknd was honoured at the Black Music Action Coalition's Music in Action Awards in 2021. On receiving the award, he had to hold back tears saying: "This is the best award I've ever gotten in my life."
The organisation aims to address systemic racism within the music business.
2021: The Weeknd performs at the Super Bowl Halftime show
In 2021, The Weeknd became the first Canadian solo artist to headline the Super Bowl Halftime show. In that year the singer also received a BRIT Award for International Male Solo Artist.
The Weeknd also released several songs in 2021 including 'Hurricane' with Kanye West featuring Lil Baby and 'Moth To a Flame' with Swedish House Mafia.
2022: The Weeknd released 'Dawn FM'
The Weeknd released his fifth studio album 'Dawn FM' in January 2022. To accompany the album's release, the singer also held an Amazon Music event with the same name.
2022: The Weeknd appears in The Simpsons
In March 2022, The Weeknd confirmed he would be appearing in an episode of The Simpsons. After the episode aired he shared a clip showing his character apologising to Bart after he was humiliated trying to return some fake trainers. The character he plays is called Orion Hughes in an episode called Bart The Cool Kid.
2022: The Weeknd co-headlines Coachella
The Weeknd was announced as a co-headliner along with Swedish House Mafia for both Sundays of Coachella festival in 2022.
2022: The Weeknd announced 'After hours til Dawn' tour
In March 2022, The Weeknd announced the North America leg of his 'After hours til Dawn' tour. The singer performed across Canada and the US and was supported by Doja Cat.
In November 2022, The Weeknd announced the second-leg of the tour, featuring dates across Europe and Latin America. The Weeknd will perform in Manchester in June 2023, and London in July 2023.
2023: The Weeknd and Ariana Grande release another collaboration
The Weeknd and Ariana Grande released another collaboration together called 'Die For You' in 2023. The song is a remix of The Weeknd's 2017 song.
2025: The Weeknd releases new album 'Hurry Up Tomorrow'
In September 2024, The Weeknd announced his new album is called 'Hurry Up Tomorrow'. He initially announced the release date on 24th January, however he later postponed it until the 31st January due to the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
On 31st January the singer released his album, and just two days later he performed two songs from the album at The Grammys held in Los Angeles.
Now read:
The Weeknd: Everything you need to know about the 'Blinding Lights' singer
The Weeknd's career: From 'Earned It' to 'Blinding Lights' and beyond
The Weeknd delays the release of his sixth album 'Hurry Up Tomorrow'
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