Weeknd Reverses Retirement Plans, Will Continue as Persona

The Weeknd has reversed his plans to retire his stage name, telling fans at a concert in Stockholm that he will continue performing as the persona indefinitely. The announcement, made on August 8, 2026, marks a significant shift from the singer's stated intentions just over a year ago.

During his After Hours Til Dawn Tour show in Sweden, the artist, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, addressed the crowd directly. "I'll never disappear. I love this too much to ever disappear," he said, according to fan footage. "I tested retirement a little bit, and I don't like the way it feels. I'mma be here forever with you."

The statement clarifies a period of uncertainty that began in January 2025. At that time, Tesfaye told Variety he planned to retire the Weeknd persona following the release of his album "Hurry Up Tomorrow," the final installment of a trilogy. He described the persona as a "headspace" he no longer desired, calling the music industry a "rat race" of accolades and competition that "never ends until you end it."

Tesfaye had previously explained that the idea of retirement first took hold after he lost his voice during a 2022 concert at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. He...