The Weeknd: Based on NeemTime research
Who is The Weeknd (Biography/Personal Details)
The Weeknd, born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye on February 16, 1990, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and record producer of Ethiopian descent.
He rose to fame after anonymously uploading his haunting R&B tracks to YouTube in 2010 under the name “The Weeknd,” purposely misspelled due to copyright concerns.
His music blends dark lyricism with ethereal production, covering themes of love, drugs, fame, and self-destruction.
In 2025, he officially transitioned to using his real name, Abel Tesfaye, for acting and production credits while retaining “The Weeknd” as a musical persona.
The Weeknd holds dual citizenship—Canadian by birth and Ethiopian heritage through his immigrant parents.
Known for reinventing his image, his aesthetic evolved from anonymous dreadlocks to a red-jacketed pop icon and later into avant-garde surrealism.
He is one of the best-selling music artists in the world, with over 100 million certified digital singles sold worldwide as of 2025.
Abel has been vocal about avoiding the traditional music industry pipeline, initially refusing interviews and label deals in favor of creative freedom.
As of 2025, he has amassed four Grammy Awards and a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, though he once famously boycotted the Grammys over transparency issues.
Outside of music, he’s invested in humanitarian causes, including supporting the Black Music Action Coalition and donating to Ethiopian relief efforts.
Early Life Highlights of The Weeknd (Background/Childhood)
Abel Tesfaye was raised by his mother and grandmother in the multicultural neighborhood of Scarborough, Toronto, after his father left when he was a toddler.
He spoke Amharic at home, attended Ethiopian Orthodox church services, and credits Ethiopian music for influencing his vocal style and melodies.
He was a shy and introverted child, often retreating into films and Michael Jackson records as his primary creative outlets.
Abel dropped out of high school at 17 and moved to Parkdale with friends, an experience he later described as “playing grown-up without instructions.”
He struggled with substance use and homelessness in his teens, often sofa-surfing while working odd jobs to fund his early music experiments.
A leaked mixtape given out at parties in Toronto eventually led to his music being discovered and blogged about by Drake.
His stage name reportedly came from a weekend where he left home and never returned, symbolizing his break from normal life.
During his adolescence, he admired artists like Prince, R. Kelly, and Wu-Tang Clan, fusing their styles with his own emotional vulnerability.
A pivotal early moment came when producer Jeremy Rose encouraged him to record vocals, which became the foundation for his breakout mixtapes.
Despite a troubled youth, Abel credited his mother’s discipline and work ethic as the grounding force behind his resilience and artistry.
Current Life Highlights of The Weeknd (Career/Other Work)
As of 2025, Abel Tesfaye is not only an award-winning musician but also a respected actor and producer with projects spanning Netflix and HBO.
He wrapped up his final tour as “The Weeknd” in 2024, announcing a pivot to releasing music under his legal name for a more personal artistic chapter.
His 2023 album Dawn FM inspired a companion film that earned critical acclaim and was shortlisted for international film festival awards.
In 2025, he launched his own record label and production company, Tesfaye Works, focused on promoting avant-garde artists of color.
He voiced a major character in an animated sci-fi series that debuted in early 2025 on a global streaming platform.
Abel collaborated with multiple fashion houses, launching a high-end streetwear line influenced by 80s noir and cyberpunk futurism.
He was included in TIME’s 100 Most Influential People list in both 2020 and again in 2025, this time for his multimedia influence.
The Weeknd composed music for a political thriller in 2025, blending ambient production with gospel influences—a departure from his usual style.
He continues to challenge industry norms by blending album rollouts with immersive art installations across major global cities.
In 2025, he became a cultural ambassador for the United Nations Youth and Arts Initiative, advocating for global creative literacy.
Personal Life Highlights of The Weeknd (Dating History/Family Members)
Abel Tesfaye has famously dated Bella Hadid and Selena Gomez, both relationships sparking massive online discussion and lyrical references in his music.
His on-again, off-again relationship with Bella Hadid lasted from 2015 to 2019, and while the pair remain cordial, they’ve moved on privately.
He reportedly prefers to keep his personal life low-profile, often declining to comment on dating rumors in interviews.
In 2024, he was linked romantically to an art curator from Paris, though neither party confirmed the relationship publicly.
Abel has said in interviews that his experiences with love and heartbreak are foundational to his songwriting process.
He maintains a close relationship with his Ethiopian mother, Samra Tesfaye, whom he often credits for keeping him grounded.
He’s rumored to have a goddaughter, for whom he’s written lullabies that he’s yet to release publicly.
Abel owns properties in Los Angeles and Toronto, where he splits his time depending on touring and production schedules.
Despite his fame, he avoids celebrity party circuits, preferring private gatherings and time in the studio with close collaborators.
He once stated that he views family and legacy as more important than fame, and his recent shift toward acting reflects his desire to evolve beyond the music industry’s limelight.
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The Weeknd Height / How to Get Body Like The Weeknd
The Weeknd stands approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall, with a lean yet athletic frame that’s evolved significantly over the years.
As of 2025, he follows a customized strength and conditioning program designed by a Toronto-based fitness trainer with a background in boxing.
His regimen includes high-rep resistance training and agility circuits to maintain stamina for his intense live performances.
Abel focuses heavily on core and lower-body workouts, incorporating weighted sled pushes and resistance band sprints.
He credits intermittent fasting and plant-based meals during the week for his defined physique and mental clarity.
Daily hydration and green smoothies with spinach, ginger, and spirulina are part of his pre-recording studio ritual.
For those aiming for a body like his, his trainer recommends fasted cardio five days a week paired with compound lifts.
The Weeknd avoids crash diets, instead opting for meal prepping with lean proteins, grains, and steamed vegetables.
His aesthetic leans toward a naturally sculpted look over extreme bulk, achieved through consistency rather than extreme regimens.
Meditation and yoga are integrated into his weekly schedule, contributing to both physical recovery and emotional balance.
Interview Quotes of The Weeknd (Where/When)
“I’ve always wanted the music to speak louder than I do,” – GQ Interview, September 2021.
“I’m not chasing a legacy anymore—I’m chasing freedom,” – The New Yorker Podcast, January 2025.
“Abel is who I wake up as. The Weeknd is who I perform as,” – Vanity Fair Interview, March 2023.
“Fame isn’t a goal—it’s a side effect,” – Apple Music Interview with Zane Lowe, November 2022.
“The Grammys lost me when they started pretending transparency was optional,” – Rolling Stone, February 2021.
“I’m an introvert in a very loud career,” – The Guardian, June 2024.
“Every heartbreak I’ve had, I’ve turned into sound,” – NME Feature Interview, October 2023.
“Retiring ‘The Weeknd’ isn’t the end—it’s just the end of the mystery,” – CBC Radio Q, April 2025.
“Art should disturb and comfort at the same time,” – Pitchfork Roundtable, August 2022.
“Toronto raised me. But the world broke and rebuilt me,” – Esquire Magazine, December 2024.
TV / Movie Quotes of The Weeknd (Where/When)
“If you want to be God, you gotta act like one,” – The Idol, Episode 1, HBO, June 2023.
“Pain is the currency of greatness,” – The Idol, Episode 3, HBO, July 2023.
“There’s beauty in falling apart—people pay to watch it,” – The Idol, Finale, HBO, August 2023.
“This is more than a show. This is salvation,” – The Idol, Episode 2, HBO, June 2023.
“My music isn’t dark. It’s honest,” – fictional interview scene in The Idol, Episode 4, HBO, July 2023.
“Everyone wants a piece of your soul. Don’t give it away cheap,” – The Idol, Episode 5, HBO, August 2023.
“The world doesn’t care if you’re real, as long as you look like you are,” – The Idol, Episode 3, HBO, July 2023.
“I’m not pretending. I am what I sing,” – Metafictional moment, The Idol, HBO.
“She’s the star, but I’m the eclipse,” – The Idol, Episode 6, HBO, August 2023.
“You want a hit? Make it hurt,” – Behind-the-scenes dialogue, The Idol BTS featurette, released by HBO Max in 2023.
Controversies/Scandals of The Weeknd
In 2021, The Weeknd made headlines by publicly boycotting the Grammy Awards due to what he called “corrupt” nomination processes.
His HBO series The Idol sparked backlash in 2023 for its explicit themes and was criticized for glamorizing toxic relationships.
Former cast and crew members from The Idol anonymously alleged in 2023 that the show’s production environment was chaotic and underprepared.
In 2022, his use of religious symbolism in live shows drew criticism from faith-based groups accusing him of “blasphemous imagery.”
A leaked demo in 2024 featuring controversial lyrics led to social media debate before The Weeknd clarified it was unfinished and unreleased for a reason.
He faced allegations of misogyny in some earlier lyrics, though he has since addressed this by evolving his songwriting toward more introspective themes.
Critics in 2023 questioned his silence on industry abuse allegations related to his collaborators, though no direct involvement was found.
His live Super Bowl performance in 2021 divided audiences for its surreal, mask-heavy visuals and abstract choreography.
In 2025, a luxury fashion collaboration was briefly paused after ethical concerns were raised about the manufacturer’s labor practices.
Despite these controversies, The Weeknd has maintained strong fan support, often using interviews and music to clarify his intentions and artistic choices.
Lesser Known Unknown Facts Trivia of The Weeknd
The Weeknd’s birth name, Abel Tesfaye, means “breath” or “vitality” in Amharic, reflecting his Ethiopian heritage.
Before fame, he anonymously uploaded his early music on YouTube without revealing his identity to gauge public reaction.
He once lived in a small Toronto apartment with no heating during the early days of his career.
The Weeknd is a self-taught producer and prefers to handle most of his own mixing and beat-making.
Despite his dark music themes, Abel practices meditation daily for mental clarity and stress relief.
He has a passion for vintage vinyl and has a private collection of rare records dating back to the 1950s.
The iconic hairstyle he first became known for was originally intended to be temporary but became his signature look.
He rarely watches his own music videos, considering them a finished product that no longer belongs to him.
The Weeknd once turned down a collaboration with a major pop star because it didn’t align with his artistic vision.
He is fluent in English and conversational in Amharic, often incorporating subtle Ethiopian cultural references in his lyrics.
Most Commonly Frequently Asked Discussed Questions/Topics with Answers on The Weeknd
Q: Why did The Weeknd boycott the Grammys?
A: He cited lack of transparency and fairness in the nomination process as reasons for his boycott starting in 2021.
Q: What is the story behind The Weeknd’s stage name?
A: He dropped the “a” from “weekend” after missing school one weekend, which marked the start of his music career persona.
Q: Has The Weeknd retired “The Weeknd” persona?
A: As of 2025, he announced plans to retire the character to pursue new artistic directions but still performs selectively under the name.
Q: What inspired the dark and moody themes in his early music?
A: His experiences with heartbreak, addiction, and Toronto’s nightlife deeply influenced his early mixtapes and albums.
Q: How involved is The Weeknd in producing his music?
A: He is heavily involved, often co-producing tracks and overseeing all aspects of sound design.
Q: What are The Weeknd’s most critically acclaimed albums?
A: After Hours (2020) and Dawn FM (2022) received widespread acclaim for innovation and emotional depth.
Q: Why did The Idol TV show receive mixed reviews?
A: Its provocative content and abstract storytelling polarized viewers and critics, though it garnered a cult following.
Q: What philanthropic causes does The Weeknd support?
A: He actively supports COVID-19 relief, Black Lives Matter, and various mental health charities.
Q: Does The Weeknd collaborate often with other artists?
A: Yes, but he is selective, focusing on artists who share his creative vision and ethos.
Q: What’s the meaning behind The Weeknd’s iconic hairstyle?
A: Initially an accident, it became a visual trademark symbolizing his unique identity and departure from mainstream norms.