The Weeknd Has Officially Changed His Stage Name

Pic via @theweeknd Instagram

The Weeknd has decided to go by his birth name Abel Tesfaye on his social media accounts, which might mean the end of an era for his popular stage name.

The Canadian singer asked fans on Twitter back in early April if he should make the change to his birth name writing, “ABEL formally known as The Weeknd?”. The tweet received over one-hundred-thousand likes, and we guess that was his answer…

In March, Guinness World Records announced that the singer-songwriter is statistically the most popular musician on the planet and he is also starring in the new TV Show The Idol, so with his career only growing, maybe he wanted a change.

 

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A post shared by Abel Tesfaye (@theweeknd)

During an interview with W Magazine which published May 8th the multi award-winning artist revealed he wanted to “Kill The Weeknd”.

“I’m going through a cathartic path right now. It’s getting to a place and time where I’m getting ready to close The Weeknd chapter,” he said.

“I’ll still make music, maybe as Abel, maybe as The Weeknd. But I still want to kill The Weeknd. And I will. Eventually. I’m definitely trying to shed that skin and be reborn.”

He also mentioned that the next album could be the last one he will go by his stage name for.

 

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A post shared by Abel Tesfaye (@theweeknd)

The artist has previously said his name came about after he dropped out of school and took his mattress with him, “leaving one weekend and never coming home”.

But he told W Magazine, “As the Weeknd, I’ve said everything I can say.”

 

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A post shared by Abel Tesfaye (@theweeknd)

His show The Idol also stars Lily-Rose Depp and is coming to Sky Atlantic and NOW Entertainment at the start of June and it could be the show of the summer…

We cannot wait to see and hear what is next for Abel, but we can be sure it will be hit no matter what!

• the weeknd