The Weeknd Says He Had a 'Mental Breakdown' — and Might Retire His Public Persona Because of It

Mar. 15, 2025

The Weekend for ‘Variety’ in January 2025.Photo:Brian Ziff for Variety

Brian Ziff for Variety

The Weekndmight be doing away with his public persona.In a new cover story interview withVariety, the R&B singer, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, opened up about experiencing a “mental breakdown” and how it led to him reconsidering how he presents in his music career.During what was supposed to be his final tour date in 2022 at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, The Weeknd lost his voice and ultimately had to reschedule his show while he was already on stage — an experience that made him feel “defeated.“The Weekend for ‘Variety’ in January 2025.Brian Ziff for VarietyThat moment, which he called “the last straw,” stuck with him and the “self-imposed pressure” became crushing.“I knew that I really needed to sit the f— down and figure out my life,” The Weeknd told the publication “To understand what happened, face it, learn something new and start again. I’d had a kind of a mental breakdown, which is pretty much what this new album’s about.”The experience at SoFi also contributed to his desire to retire his public persona.“Part of me actually was thinking, ‘You lost your voice because it’s done; you said what you had to say. Don’t overstay at the party — you can end it now and live a happy life.’ You know? Put the bow on it: ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’? Now we’re here,” said The Weeknd.He added, “When is the right time to leave, if not at your peak? Once you understand who I am too much, then it’s time to pivot.”The Weeknd clarified that he’s not planning to quit music.“I don’t think Icanstop doing that,” he said. “But everything needs to feel like a challenge. And for me right now, the Weeknd, whatever that is, it’s been mastered.“The Weeknd also explained that he was grappling with “the competition of it all” when it came to his musical project.“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,” the “After Hours” artist said.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The Weeknd for ‘Variety’ in January 2025.Brian Ziff for VarietyIn December 2024, The Weeknd fueled speculation that he might be unloading his moniker whenbillboards surfaced in major citiesthat said, “The Weeknd Is Near” but with three missing letters that read, “The End Is Near.”A few days later, heshared images from all of his albumsalongside the caption “The Weeknd / The End Is Near / 8 beautiful chapters in this story.”The Weeknd is set to release the final album in his trilogy,Hurry Up Tomorrow, on Jan. 24.

The Weekndmight be doing away with his public persona.

In a new cover story interview withVariety, the R&B singer, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, opened up about experiencing a “mental breakdown” and how it led to him reconsidering how he presents in his music career.

During what was supposed to be his final tour date in 2022 at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, The Weeknd lost his voice and ultimately had to reschedule his show while he was already on stage — an experience that made him feel “defeated.”

The Weekend for ‘Variety’ in January 2025.Brian Ziff for Variety

That moment, which he called “the last straw,” stuck with him and the “self-imposed pressure” became crushing.

“I knew that I really needed to sit the f— down and figure out my life,” The Weeknd told the publication “To understand what happened, face it, learn something new and start again. I’d had a kind of a mental breakdown, which is pretty much what this new album’s about.”

The experience at SoFi also contributed to his desire to retire his public persona.

“Part of me actually was thinking, ‘You lost your voice because it’s done; you said what you had to say. Don’t overstay at the party — you can end it now and live a happy life.’ You know? Put the bow on it: ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’? Now we’re here,” said The Weeknd.

He added, “When is the right time to leave, if not at your peak? Once you understand who I am too much, then it’s time to pivot.”

The Weeknd clarified that he’s not planning to quit music.

“I don’t think Icanstop doing that,” he said. “But everything needs to feel like a challenge. And for me right now, the Weeknd, whatever that is, it’s been mastered.”

The Weeknd also explained that he was grappling with “the competition of it all” when it came to his musical project.

“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,” the “After Hours” artist said.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Weeknd for ‘Variety’ in January 2025.Brian Ziff for Variety

In December 2024, The Weeknd fueled speculation that he might be unloading his moniker whenbillboards surfaced in major citiesthat said, “The Weeknd Is Near” but with three missing letters that read, “The End Is Near.”

A few days later, heshared images from all of his albumsalongside the caption “The Weeknd / The End Is Near / 8 beautiful chapters in this story.”

The Weeknd is set to release the final album in his trilogy,Hurry Up Tomorrow, on Jan. 24.

source: people.com