Abel Tesfaye, globally known as The Weeknd, revealed that his massive music career was merely a strategic “detour” to reach his true lifelong ambition: filmmaking. The singer shared this perspective while discussing his upcoming project, Hurry Up Tomorrow, alongside co-star Jenna Ortega and director Trey Edward Shults.
The Cinematic Vision Behind the Music
The upcoming film, Hurry Up Tomorrow, serves as a companion piece to his final studio album under The Weeknd moniker. Described as a suspense thriller, the movie follows an international pop star suffering from insomnia who finds his reality unraveling after an encounter with a stranger. Tesfaye noted that the narrative is loosely inspired by his own experiences in the spotlight.
“Cinema has always been my number one passion,” Tesfaye explained. “I happen to sing and make music, and it felt like a little cheat code to get into this industry. I always wanted to make movies and combine them with my music.” He emphasized that the “DNA of cinema” has been woven into his albums, music videos, and stage performances throughout his career.
From ‘The Idol’ to a New Chapter
While Tesfaye’s 2023 HBO series The Idol faced significant critical backlash regarding both its plot and his acting, the star feels his new project offers a different experience. He admitted that The Idol never felt entirely like his own, whereas Hurry Up Tomorrow has reignited his genuine joy for the medium, leading him to realize, “Yeah, I do want to do this.”
The decision to retire “The Weeknd” persona came at a pivotal moment when the artist felt his voice failing and his creative well running dry. “It felt like I had nothing else to say,” the 35-year-old said. “I’ve said everything I can as this person. Now it’s time to take that next step.”
A Legacy of Accolades
Since his debut with the acclaimed House of Balloons mixtape, Tesfaye has built a decorated career, securing 176 awards from 513 nominations, including Grammy, Billboard, and MTV honors. Despite his past success, the focus has now shifted to this “intentionally mysterious” thriller, which he co-wrote.
Fans eager to see if this transition marks a successful evolution in his career won’t have to wait long; Hurry Up Tomorrow is scheduled to hit theaters on May 16.
