The singer was compelled to lower quick a Los Angeles present in September 2022, after his voice cracked and he was unable to hit his trademark excessive notes. Talking with Selection for a brand new cowl story, The Weeknd — actual title Abel Tesfaye — mentioned he felt “defeated on the world stage, with everybody watching” in that second.

“I noticed my physician the subsequent day, and he mentioned, ‘There’s nothing incorrect with you — your [vocal cords] are infected, however nothing out of the unusual,’” he continued. “And that is once we got here to the conclusion that it was all up right here,” mentioned Tesfaye, with the outlet including that he pointed to his head.

Saying he realized he “had sort of a psychological breakdown,” Tesfaye mentioned the live performance incident was “the final straw” after experiencing exhaustion and stress. On the time, whereas additionally on a world tour, he was filming HBO’s The Idol, which was present process large reshoots after changing the present’s authentic director Amy Seimetz.

“There was loads of self-imposed stress: flying to L.A. between concert events, stepping into character [for The Idol], capturing after which flying again for the subsequent present,” he continued. “However what led as much as it? Possibly it was that 12 months, however possibly it was my entire life: survival, faculty, household, friendships, relationships, making it within the music trade. I would at all times sort of suppressed it. , delusion helps!”

All of it, nonetheless, made him notice he “actually wanted to sit down the f–k down and determine my life,” as he sought to “perceive what occurred, face it, be taught one thing new and begin once more.” That journey, he added, impressed loads of music on his upcoming album.

Whereas talking with Selection, Tesfaye additionally responded to the destructive criticism he acquired for The Idol, on which he starred as a music guru/cult chief mentoring Lily-Rose Depp’s pop star. He additionally co-created the sequence with Euphoria’s Sam Levinson and was one of many present’s govt producers.

“We had an important solid and nice crew. I made some actually nice pals, and I really like seeing everyone thriving,” he advised the outlet. “I am actually happy with it — all of us are. It is unlucky that, you recognize, it wasn’t met with the warmest [response], however we knew what we have been making — one thing provocative and darkish. Possibly it may have been advised otherwise, possibly not. It was greater than I anticipated. Not every thing you set out goes to attach, and that is nice.”

“Consider it or not, none of [the criticism] felt private. After all, it will get to you — I am not saying I wasn’t affected by it; I am saying I did not take it personally,” he additionally confused. “Like, no person’s out to get you, you recognize? I really like studying criticism, even when a few of it did not really feel constructive. I am not anticipating everyone to like Hurry Up Tomorrow both. Some folks would possibly hate it, however that is not why I am doing this. I am doing it as a result of I’m an artist; it is how I really feel, and that is what I need to say.”

Tesfaye advised the publication he may have gotten to a degree the place he is mentioned all he needs to say as The Weeknd, suggesting he would possibly launch music beneath a distinct title after Hurry Up Tomorrow.

“A part of me really was considering, ‘You misplaced your voice as a result of it’s accomplished; you mentioned what you needed to say. Do not overstay on the celebration — you’ll be able to finish it now and dwell a contented life.’ ?” he defined. “Put the bow on it: Hurry Up Tomorrow? Now we’re right here. When is the proper time to depart, if not at your peak? When you perceive who I’m an excessive amount of, then it is time to pivot.”

He will not, nonetheless, give up music.

“Every part must really feel like a problem. And for me proper now, the Weeknd, no matter that’s, it has been mastered. Nobody’s gonna do the Weeknd higher than me, and I am not gonna do it higher than what it’s proper now,” he concluded, earlier than mentioning his performing profession and upcoming movie After Hours.

“I believe I’ve overcome each problem as this persona, and that is why I’m actually enthusiastic about this movie, as a result of I really like this problem,” he mentioned. “However I simply need to know what comes after. I need to know what tomorrow seems like.”

Learn the complete Selection profile right here.