The Weeknd Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

The Weeknd appears to be getting ready to move on. The musician and now actor has changed his name on social media to Abel Tesfaye, the name he was born with. He’s still retained his social media handles.Jenna Ortega and The Weeknd set to star in new film: Here’s everything we knowLily-Rose Depp reveals relationship with rapper Danielle BalbuenaA post shared by Abel Tesfaye (@theweeknd)Tesfaye hasn’t revealed why he’s made the change, but he’s been speaking to the press about his upcoming series, “The Idol,” which he co-created and co-stars.

A certain pop-star might be making rebranding himself. The Weeknd made a noticeable change on his social media which is causing fans to ask: Is The Weeknd retiring? 

HBO series The Idol has revealed how The Weeknd – real name Abel Tesfaye – first pitched the idea of the show to him.Speaking to W Magazine, Levinson recalled: “Abel came to us with a pitch. He said something that I’ll always remember: ‘If I wanted to start a cult, I could.’ What he meant is that his fans were so loyal and devoted that they would follow him anywhere.

Jennie of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK has seemingly teased an unreleased collaboration with her The Idol co-star The Weeknd.Yesterday (May 10), the singer held a launch party in South Korea for her new capsule collection for fashion brand Calvin Klein. In attendance at the event were Jennie’s close friends and DJ duo sisters Simi Khadra and Haze Khadra, who also spun a few songs for the party.Halfway through the viral TikTok hit ‘Boy’s A Liar Pt.

The Weeknd is bidding to purchase NHL team the Ottawa Senators, according to the Ottawa Sun and Star. It is reported that Abel Tesfaye is part of a group, alongside Jeffrey and Michael Kimel of the Harlo Capital Group, seeking to gain a controlling stake in the company.

The Weeknd has recently said that he wants to get rid of his alter-ego, saying that he ” wants to kill The Weeknd.”In a recent interview with W Magazine alongside his The Idol co-star Lily-Rose Depp, The Weeknd made it known that he wants to continue with his creative endeavours, only under his real name, Abel Tesfaye.The Canadian singer told the interviewer that he’s on “a cathartic path right now” and is “getting to a place and a time where [he’s] getting ready to close The Weeknd chapter”.While he might be moving to switch between his moniker and his real name, he’ll eventually “try to shed that skin and be reborn.”Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd cover the latest issue of W Magazine pic.twitter.com/r2OayOVI7L— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) May 8, 2023Speaking about his new music, he said: “The album I’m working on now is probably my last hurrah as the Weeknd. This is something that I have to do.

The Weeknd as the world knows him — could be coming to an end!In the latest edition of, the singer — whose real name is Abel Tesfaye — hints that his run as his longtime stage persona could be coming to an end.«I’m going through a cathartic path right now,” the „Starboy“ musician says inside of the magazine. „It’s getting to a place and a time where I’m getting ready to close the Weeknd chapter. I’ll still make music, maybe as Abel, maybe as The Weeknd.

The Weeknd has addressed the production troubles on his upcoming HBO series The Idol, describing the show’s overhaul as a “challenge”.Set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival later this month, The Idol follows aspiring pop singer Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) who falls into a complex relationship with self-help guru and cult leader Tedros (Abel Tesfaye aka The Weeknd).The series, created by Tesfaye, Reza Fahim and Euphoria’s Sam Levinson, underwent an overhaul in April 2022 after a rough-cut was completed. This led to various changes in the cast and crew, including the departure of director Amy Seimetz.According to an interview with Tesfaye and Levinson with W Magazine, the singer was concerned the dynamic between his cult figure character and Jocelyn in the original cut was “not as complex” as they had envisioned, which led to a “pivot”.“Film and TV is a new creative muscle for me,” Tesfaye told the outlet. “I don’t release my music until I think it is great.

Next month will bring the arrival of The Idol, the debut series by The Weeknd, to HBO. In a new interview with W Magazine, Abel Tesfaye has suggested that his move into film and TV has coincided with what he sees as the end of his music-making career, at least in some capacity. Speaking about where he is at creatively at the moment, Tesfaye told the magazine in a new cover story, "I’m going through a cathartic path right now.

The Weeknd has once again paired up with producer Mike Dean for four new tracks that appear on the latter’s new album ‘4:23’ – check them out below.‘4:23’ was released yesterday (April 28) and is Dean’s fourth studio album, following on from 2020’s ‘4:22’.The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye) served as executive producer on the album and features on four tracks: ‘Artificial Intelligence’, ‘Defame Moi’, ‘More Coke!!’, and ‘Emotionless’ (which he also co-wrote).Check it out below. Dean and Tesfaye have worked together on numerous projects including The Weeknd’s 2015 album ‘Beauty Behind The Madness’ as well as ‘Where You Belong’, which was written for the Fifty Shades Of Grey soundtrack.More recently, the pair collaborated on ‘Double Fantasy’, the Future-led track lifted from upcoming HBO series The Idol, which both Dean and Tesfaye will star in.Album “4:23” @therealmikedean, co-produced by @theweeknd TONIGHT pic.twitter.com/9mJU9qGg3N— The Weeknd News (@NewsWeeknd) April 27, 2023The Idol also features Lily-Rose Depp, Moses Sumney, Hank Azaria, and Jennie of BLACKPINK.Rolling Stone did a report on the series mid-production and wrote that The Idol was “torture porn”. 13 anonymous sources from the show’s cast and crew have spoken out on the production of the anticipated series, calling it “a shitshow”.Tesfaye, Depp and HBO all responded to the claims, with The Weeknd tweeting, “Did we upset you?” alongside a clip from the show of him and Depp’s characters denouncing the magazine..@RollingStone did we upset you? pic.twitter.com/Uyx06lyRgx— The Weeknd (@theweeknd) March 1, 2023The series will premiere at this year’s Festival De Cannes and is set to be released on June 4.

The Weeknd has said he didn’t think he was “marketable” when he first began his music career.The artist, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, was talking to Interview magazine about his reasons for hiding his identity when he first began releasing music on YouTube back in 2010.“I wanted to be very calculated about how I wanted people to see me or hear my music. The initial reason I did that was I didn’t think I was marketable when I was younger, especially for R&B. I didn’t think I had the right look,” he explained.“The R&B look was very sexual back in the day.

The Weeknd and Future have released the new collaborative single k ‘Double Fantasy’ for the soundtrack to new HBO drama The Idol.The track is the first to be released from the official soundtrack of the new HBO Max series The Idol. The Weeknd co-created the show with Sam Levinson and Reza Fahim, and is said to be “one of HBO’s most provocative” shows yet.‘Double Fantasy’ is a darkened space pop track where The Weeknd – real name Abel Tesfaye – sings about a toxic relationship.

A song utilizing AI-generated vocals to impersonate Drake and The Weeknd has been removed from streaming platforms, Stereogum notes, but not until the track found significant viral success. The song, “heart on my sleeve” by ghostwriter, was streamed hundreds of thousands of times before it was pulled on April 17.

Drake and The Weeknd from all streaming platforms. Check it out below.The track was called ‘Heart On My Sleeve’ and was the latest viral song where AI technology was used to mimic the voice and style of popular artists.

“torture porn” — is here.The “Blinding Lights” history-maker, 33, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, portrays shady nightclub owner Tedros, who becomes obsessed with Jocelyn, an up-and-coming pop star played by “nepo baby” Lily-Rose Depp, 23. “When was the last truly f – – king nasty, nasty bad-pop girl?” asks Jocelyn’s friend Caleb, portrayed by singer Troye Sivan, 27, as she poses for a sexy photo shoot in the teaser.

The Idol, a new TV show from The Weeknd, Reza Fahim, and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson, will debut this summer, it has been confirmed. The series will launch on HBO and the recently-renamed streaming service Max, on June 4.

the latest teaser and June premiere date for the controversial new series,, starring The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp.Co-created by Sam Levinson, The Weeknd — whose real name is Abel Tesfaye — and Reza Fahim, the upcoming drama follows a pop star named Jocelyn (Depp) who is determined to reclaim «her rightful status as the greatest and sexiest pop star in America» after a nervous breakdown derailed her career. In doing so, she encounters Tedros (The Weeknd), a nightclub impresario who reignites her passions while also possibly leading her down a dark new path. In the new video set to Britney Spears' «Gimme More,» viewers get a taste for what's to come as Jocelyn navigates the ups and downs of being in the spotlight as she deals with video shoots, social media updates and various managers, publicists and entourage members all trying to control her narrative. In addition to The Weeknd and Depp, the series also stars Troye Siva, Dan Levy, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Eli Roth, Hari Nef, Jane Adams, Jennie Ruby Jane, Mike Dean, Moses Sumney, Rachel Sennott, Ramsey, Suzanna Son and Hank Azaria.Leading up to its debut, sparked controversy after a investigation reported that the production had «gone wildly, disgustingly off the rails» with regard to chaotic scheduling, going over budget, last-minute script changes and overhauls on graphically violent and sexual scenes.In response, The Weeknd shared a clip from the series, in which his character slams the magazine for being «irrelevant.» The singer even threw additional shade in the caption, by writing, "@rollingstone did we upset you?«Depp also spoke out, telling ET, „Sam is, for so many reasons, the best director I have ever worked with.

Metro Boomin was joined by a star-studded support cast at his Coachella set on Friday night (April 14) – watch him perform with The Weeknd, Diddy, Future, John Legend and more below.During the set, the producer and rapper also welcomed the likes of 21 Savage, Mike Dean and Don Toliver to the stage.Opening with ‘On Time’ (featuring John Legend), he then went straight into introducing ‘Future’ for ‘Superhero (Heroes & Villains)‘ and three Future covers with the rapper.Elsewhere in the 23-song set, he covered three Weeknd songs alongside Abel Tesfaye, closing with an all-star performance of ‘Creepin’‘ featuring The Weeknd, 21 Savage and Diddy.See footage from the performance, which also featured a preview of a new track from The Weeknd, below.XOCHELLA

Boygenius have scored their first UK Number One album with their debut LP ‘The Record’.The trio – comprising Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus – beat off competition from DMA’S new album ‘How Many Dreams?’ to claim the top spot.They have also claimed the top spot on this week’s official UK vinyl albums chart, according to the Official Charts Company.‘The Record’ scored five stars and was described by NME as “the instant classic we were hoping for” and the “indie rock supergroup elevates their songwriting by combining the best parts of their artistry.”The review added: “This debut is a gorgeous testament to what can happen when you allow yourself to fully be seen.

Anderson .Paak aka DJ Pee .Wee is set to spin at the London Alley Playboy After Dark event at The London Alley Estate in Indio, California.Celebrities and influencers will be in attendance at the exclusive fête on April 13, to celebrate ’s 70th anniversary and kick off the 2023 Coachella festivities. London Alley, a creative production studio that has worked on music videos and projects with Ariana Grande, Doja Cat, The Weeknd, Bad Bunny, Post Malone and Lil Nas X, will bring the party to life, all while honoring the lifestyle brand’s iconic history. The event will take inspiration from Hugh Hefner’s 1969-1970 television talk show,, which was formatted like an iconic Playboy mansion cocktail party, with A-list guests including Fleetwood Mac, James Brown, Tina Turner and more.Beyond the rapper’s exclusive DJ set, attendees can expect surprise performances, immersive activations, giveaways, food from Verse LA, cocktails and more.The Playboy After Dark affair is invite only, and the exact address will be provided following an email confirmation.

The Weeknd's more than a «Starboy,» he's the most popular artist in the world — at least according to the Guinness World Records.On Wednesday, GWR — previously known as The Guinness Book of World Records, a reference book published annually, listing world records both of human achievements and the extremes of the natural world -- declared that the «Blinding Lights» singer is statistically the most popular musician on the planet.Citing two new Guinness World Records titles, the records company said that The Weekend, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, has not only become the artist with the most monthly listeners on Spotify, raking in 111.4 million as of March 20, but has become the first artist on the streaming platform to reach 100 million monthly listeners.GWR also notes that The Weeknd currently has almost 30 million more listeners than Miley Cyrus, who came in at second place at 82.4, with Shakira (81.6 million) coming in third.Trailing behind them, are Ariana Grande (80.6 million), Taylor Swift (80.2 million), Rihanna (78.5 million) and Ed Sheeran, who boasts a total of 77.5 million Spotify listenersThe ranking comes after the release of The Weeknd's «Die For You» remix featuring Ariana Grade. The remix has gone viral on TikTok and is being used frequently as a sound on the app.The track also hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the seventh number-one hit for both The Weeknd and Grande respectively.Outside of music, The Weeknd has been making headlines for his new HBO series, , following a bit of back and forth with music magazine .

The Weeknd has been named the world’s most popular artist in terms of Spotify statistics.That’s according to a new report by Guinness World Records in which the Spotify data of some of the biggest acts in the music industry has been analysed.The number of monthly listeners on the streaming platform is a key metric in Guinness‘ report. Abel Tesfaye aka The Weeknd has 111.4million monthly listeners.It comes weeks after Tesfaye became the first artist and so far the only act in Spotify history to hit 100million monthly listener milestone [via Billboard].The next artist on the list is Miley Cyrus, who currently tallies 82.4million monthly listeners.

“the world’s most popular artist.”The 33-year-old “Starboy” singer currently holds the Guinness title for the most monthly listeners on Spotify (male) at 111.6 million, which also makes him the first artist to reach 100 million monthly listeners on the platform, Guinness confirmed to The Post on Tuesday. His Spotify numbers even soar above other high-ranking acts, including Miley Cyrus, who has 82.3) million monthly listeners, Shakira (81.7 million), Taylor Swift (80.3 million) and Rihanna (78.2 million).The Weeknd’s closest male competitor, Ed Sheeran, has 77.5 million monthly Spotify listeners.

The Weeknd has settled a copyright infringement case relating to his 2018 track ‘Call Out My Name’, it has been reported.The song featured on his first EP ‘My Dear Melancholy’ and saw the star singing over a minimal, melancholy R&B backing.In 2021, Suniel Fox and Henry Strange – who make up the electro duo Epikker – filed a lawsuit against The Weeknd and producers Frank Dukes and Nicolas Jaar, claiming that ‘Call Out My Name’ plagiarised their unreleased song ‘Vibeking’. The pair claimed that his track pulled from their vocal hook and lead guitar part.Now, a new filing in the case states that all parties have reached a settlement.

New Music Friday! The weekend is here, which means more streaming, new playlists and the best that music has to offer. ET has you covered for everything in between.Taylor Swift released four previously unreleased songs this week, a celebration of the Eras Tour kickoff in Glendale, Arizona, on Friday night.

New Music Friday! The weekend is here, which means more streaming, new playlists and the best that music has to offer. ET has you covered for everything in between.Taylor Swift released four previously unreleased songs this week, a celebration of the Eras Tour kickoff in Glendale, Arizona, on Friday night.

New Music Friday! The weekend is here, which means more streaming, new playlists and the best that music has to offer. ET has you covered for everything in between.Taylor Swift released four previously unreleased songs this week, a celebration of the Eras Tour kickoff in Glendale, Arizona, on Friday night.