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March 28, 2024

Interview: The Weekend talk’s cutting his hair off with Vanityfair

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My life’s been wild ever since I left home at a young age,” says Abel Tesfaye—a.k.a. the Weeknd—whose new album (Beauty Behind the Madness) entered the charts at No. 1 in more than 70 countries this past September. “I think going through my darkest times first actually helped me cope with the fame life more,” adds the Toronto-born 25-year-old Tesfaye, who started out as a mysterious, reclusive artist before he won over the mainstream with his melodic, infectious, but edgy R&B. “I’ve learned to balance everything out, and one thing is for sure-I’m always focused, especially when it comes to the music.” Here, Tesfaye talks with Lisa Robinson about love, music, success, and his hair.

Your music has old-school references like Motown and Michael Jackson, but with a yearning, sadness, and darker edge. Is this organic or a conscious move?

I do it subconsciously, mostly because I grew up with this music in my household. [Michael Jackson’s] “Don’t Stop ‘til You Get Enough,” from Off the Wall, is actually the song that helped me find my voice. It’s the reason I sing. The sadness I inherit is from the Ethiopian music my mother would play. A lot of sad songs about heartbreak. Even though I couldn’t really make out what they were saying, I could feel it.

When you first had three mix-tape hits online no one knew what you looked like—why?

I always hated how I looked on camera. I never put a face to my music, which actually made the music that much more mysterious. It kind of worked in my favor, and I ran with it as long as I could. None of my fans knew how I looked until I played live shows.

You’ve collaborated with Ariana Grande, Ed Sheeran, and others, you’ve worked with producers such as Kanye West and Max Martin, and you’ve brought a new, exciting sound to R&B. What haven’t you done musically that you’d like to do?

I want to produce the music to a movie that I’m working on, like what Prince did with Purple Rain. It’s a very personal project. It could take up to two years, though. And I really admire Ed Sheeran’s work—I had the most fun collaborating with him, so, hopefully, more to come.

What’s the biggest misconception about you?

People always say when they meet me that I’m not what they expect. I assume they think I’m this super dark and depressing guy, but I like to channel all of those emotions into my work. I’m pretty laid-back in real life. I just love hanging with my friends and making jokes. The jokes don’t stop—literally, all day.

You’ve been photographed out with a well-known model [Bella Hadid]. How have you managed to maintain a private life?

I’m definitely not scared of love anymore. If it happens, then it happens. It’s definitely refreshing to find someone who’s as passionate about their career as I am about mine.

Even if you wanted to walk around incognito, it would be hard with your hairdo. Have you ever considered just cutting it off?

Every time I get recognized, I feel blessed, like “Thank God this is happening.” The last thing you want is to not be recognized for all of the hard work you put in. [As for my hair] at first, I had a small little messy high-top with more hair in the front. Then I just let it grow. I don’t do anything to it but clean it. This is my natural hair, it’s growing naturally, and I love it. It gives me an identity—I feel like it gives me powers sometimes. I came really close to cutting it once, but then I realized that I would just look like everyone else. That would be boring.