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Abel Tesfaye performing onstage as The Weeknd under dramatic concert lighting
Music

The Weeknd Doubly Denies Retirement Rumors: 'Not Stepping Away'

Abel Tesfaye clarifies he is only 'hibernating' as he closes out his multi-year album story arc, putting quit claims to rest.

By Nina BrooksPublished Updated 1 min read

Abel Tesfaye isn't throwing in the towel just yet. Despite months of teasing that "The Weeknd" alter-ego might be put to rest, the pop megastar has officially set the record straight, confirming he has no plans to walk away from making music. In a newly published interview, Tesfaye explained that he isn't stepping out of the spotlight for good—he's simply taking a breather. The hitmaker noted that while he considers his recent creative chapter to be completely wrapped up, it only marks the conclusion of the specific storyline he began crafting back in 2020.

Is The Weeknd Retiring His Stage Name The Canadian chart-topper previously raised eyebrows when he hinted at killing off his famous moniker. Last year, the singer admitted that staying in that specific headspace was becoming increasingly difficult, even joking that he might pull a Kanye West-style rebrand and release future projects under his legal first name, Abel. However, any lingering fears of a permanent exit have now been thoroughly dispelled. Tesfaye confessed that he briefly entertained the thought of walking away from his craft entirely, but quickly realized throwing away his creative spark would be a massive mistake. Instead, he described his current phase as shedding his skin—a signature artistic move he has executed multiple times across his decade-plus career.

What Is Abel Tesfaye Doing Next This isn't the first time the superstar has tried to quiet fan anxiety surrounding his future. During a live concert appearance last August, Tesfaye explicitly reassured the audience that he would never truly vanish from the music scene. Now, with his long-running album narrative officially reaching its grand finale, listeners can expect a fresh musical evolution rather than a full-on retirement. For the moment, Tesfaye is lying low to recharge his batteries. But as he made clear, the inspiration keeps flowing, meaning the next iteration of his pop persona is only a matter of time.

The backstory

Verified moments, in order.

The Weeknd: The Career Behind the Exit Talk

Abel Tesfaye builds a career on reinvention. From anonymous mixtapes to the Super Bowl, these are the milestones—and flashpoints—behind his push to close a chapter without necessarily closing his career.

  1. Three mixtapes build the mystery

    The Weeknd — Three mixtapes build the mystery

    The Toronto singer releases House of Balloons, Thursday and Echoes of Silence for free under the name The Weeknd. His initially concealed identity and songs about sex, drugs and emotional fallout establish the persona that carries him into the mainstream.

  2. 2015-08-28

    The outsider becomes a chart fixture

    The Weeknd — The outsider becomes a chart fixture

    Beauty Behind the Madness arrives and becomes his first US No. 1 album. Its singles Can't Feel My Face and The Hills both top the US singles chart, turning his troubled-nightlife narratives into mass-market pop.

  3. 2020-11-24Flashpoint

    A Grammy shutout triggers a public fight

    The Weeknd — A Grammy shutout triggers a public fight

    Despite the success of After Hours and Blinding Lights, The Weeknd receives no nominations for the 2021 Grammy Awards. He publicly accuses the organization of corruption. In March 2021, he says he will stop allowing his label to submit his music for consideration.

  4. 2021-02-07

    The Super Bowl makes the spectacle national

    The Weeknd — The Super Bowl makes the spectacle national

    He headlines the Super Bowl LV halftime show in Tampa, performing in the red jacket associated with After Hours alongside dancers wearing face bandages. The performance takes that album's carefully constructed character onto one of television's biggest stages.

  5. 2023-05

    He questions the future of The Weeknd—not music

    The Weeknd — He questions the future of The Weeknd—not music

    Tesfaye publicly discusses ending The Weeknd persona and says the album he is working on will probably be his last under that name. He also makes clear that he still intends to make music, drawing the distinction at the heart of later retirement speculation.

  6. 2023-06-04Flashpoint

    The Idol puts him at the center of a backlash

    The Weeknd — The Idol puts him at the center of a backlash

    The Idol premieres on HBO, with Tesfaye co-creating the series and playing nightclub owner Tedros opposite Lily-Rose Depp. Its sexual content and treatment of its female lead draw criticism. HBO confirms in August that the show will not return for a second season.

  7. 2025-01-31

    Hurry Up Tomorrow completes the trilogy

    The Weeknd — Hurry Up Tomorrow completes the trilogy

    He releases Hurry Up Tomorrow, the final installment of the album trilogy that begins with After Hours in 2020 and continues with Dawn FM in 2022. It supplies a documented endpoint to a multi-year creative arc—not, by itself, proof that Tesfaye is retiring.

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People also ask

Is The Weeknd quitting music?
No, Abel Tesfaye has confirmed he is not retiring from music. He explained that while his current multi-year story arc is complete, he is simply hibernating before his next creative chapter.
Will Abel Tesfaye change his stage name?
While Tesfaye previously hinted at dropping 'The Weeknd' moniker to perform under his birth name Abel, he has reaffirmed that he is not stepping away from his career.