The Weeknd has officially ruled out retirement for now, confirming that he plans to continue making music and performing under the name that has defined his career for more than a decade.
The singer, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, opened up about his future in a new interview, explaining that the past year has changed the way he views his career. Rather than feeling ready to walk away, he says he has developed a stronger appreciation for the opportunity to create music and perform for audiences around the world.
“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.”
The announcement marks a major change from earlier comments in which Tesfaye suggested that he could eventually leave behind The Weeknd persona. His previous remarks had fueled speculation that he might be preparing to close one of the most successful chapters of his career and move forward entirely under his birth name.
At the time, Tesfaye explained that The Weeknd was not simply a character separate from his real identity, but rather a creative identity he used to express certain stories and ideas through his music.
“The Weeknd was never a mask I wore to hide from myself, Abel was always there. It was simply a lens I chose to tell certain stories through.”
His latest comments now make it clear that, despite previously considering a different direction, he has no immediate plans to abandon the name. The Weeknd will continue to be the identity attached to his music, performances and future projects.
The decision also comes as the singer remains in the middle of one of the biggest touring chapters of his career. His After Hours ‘til Dawn Tour has continued to take his music to audiences around the world, bringing together material from multiple stages of his career.
The tour is scheduled to officially conclude in November 2026, marking the end of its current run. However, Tesfaye’s comments suggest that the conclusion of the tour should not be interpreted as the conclusion of his career.
Instead, the singer appears ready to continue creating and performing while maintaining the artistic identity that has become synonymous with his work. The Weeknd has built a global audience around a distinctive blend of pop, R&B and darker electronic sounds, making the stage name a major part of his artistic identity.
For fans who had interpreted his previous comments as a possible farewell, the latest statement offers a different outlook. Rather than closing the door on The Weeknd, Tesfaye now says he intends to keep the project alive for as long as he is able to continue doing what he loves.
With the After Hours ‘til Dawn Tour approaching its final scheduled shows, the next phase of his career could ultimately become less about saying goodbye and more about finding new ways to evolve while remaining The Weeknd.
