The Weeknd Makes U-Turn on Retirement Threat: Abel Tesfaye Confirms He's Not Stepping Away

Abel Tesfaye, widely known as The Weeknd, caused concern among his loyal fanbase last year when he informed Variety magazine of his intention to retire his long-standing stage persona after 16 years. At the time, he alluded to a transition into a new era, stating enigmatically that "it never ends until you end it." This announcement suggested a significant shift in his celebrated music career.

However, Tesfaye, 36, who began releasing music as The Weeknd in 2011, has recently clarified and reversed his position. Speaking to a crowd in Stockholm, he declared a change of heart, asserting, "I'll never disappear. I love this too much to ever disappear. I tested retirement a little bit, and I don’t like the way it feels. I said, Imma be here forever with you, I’ll never disappear." This statement, captured in fan videos, indicated a strong reaffirmation of his commitment to his artistic identity.

Further elaborating on these comments in a new interview with GQ Hong Kong, Tesfaye explained his "strike-that-reverse-it" stance. He clarified that his earlier talk of "disappearing" was not about ending his career but rather about a shift in focus. "Disappearing simply means finally taking some time to focus all my energy on one project instead of juggling multiple things," he told the magazine. He detailed his intense workload over the past five years, which included creating four concept albums, numerous music videos, a TV show, a feature film, and embarking on a massive, multi-year world tour. He concluded that "disappearing for a little while is well earned."

Tesfaye emphatically stated, "I’m not stepping away from anything. I’m just hibernating. I’m not going anywhere. My fans know I’ve shed my skin multiple times throughout my career." He explained that he was telling one overarching story from 2020 until now, and while that specific narrative has concluded, it only represents a chapter in his broader artistic journey. When asked about his pursuits after The Weeknd might "fully retire," he expressed an overwhelming sense of inspiration. He admitted to briefly considering stopping but quickly realized the immense waste such a decision would entail. "I had a glimpse of what retirement looks like, and it isn’t for me. It’s a real privilege to do what I do. There’s nothing else like this job. The gratitude I’ve felt over the last year has been overwhelming. I’m going to keep doing this for as long as I possibly can. The Weeknd isn’t going anywhere."

In parallel with these reflections, The Weeknd continues his successful "After Hours til Dawn" global tour. Following sold-out performances in Lisbon, Portugal, he is now preparing to bring the tour to Asia. Upcoming dates include shows at Belluna Dome in Tokorozawa, Japan (September 19-20), followed by stops in Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Hong Kong. The nearly four-year global endeavor is scheduled to conclude on November 4-5 at TM Stadium National in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.