The Weeknd Might Not Be Retiring His Music Persona After All
However, that may not necessarily be the case.
While promoting the film at CinemaCon 2025, Abel Tesfaye told EW that this moment feels like both a death and resurrection. 'It feels like it [the end of the Weeknd]. I mean, I've kind of toyed with the idea in the past with albums,' he noted. 'But it could also just be a rebirth. Who knows?'
Back in January, the 35-year-old announced plans to retire his alter ego. 'It's a headspace I've gotta get into that I just don't have any more desire for,' he explained to Variety. '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.'
Hurry Up Tomorrow marks the conclusion in the trilogy that began with 2020's After Hours, which was followed by 2022's Dawn FM.
The film follows a fictionalized version of himself, also named Abel, who gets taken on an insane ride by a seductive stranger, Anima (Jenna Ortega). Director Trey Edward Shults, shared with EW in February that he 'tried to make the movie in a way where, for his fans and people who want to approach it at that level, I hope it's very satisfying and you get a good meal out of it.'
Shults confirmed that it was an 'absolute possibility' that the movie would be The Weeknd's last hurrah chapter, adding 'For people that aren't his fans and don't know anything about him or even care about the final capping of the Weeknd, I think you still have a great movie to go through.'
The Weeknd considers the film to be 'really introspective and cathartic.' It hits theaters this Friday.
More from VIBE.com
The Weeknd's 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' Film Trailer Hints At A Mind-Bending Experience
The Weeknd Earns Fifth No. 1 Album With 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' Debut
The Weeknd Releases Star-Studded 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' Movie Trailer
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