The Weeknd opens up about his mental breakdown in 2022

Singer The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, opened up about a mental breakdown he experienced after losing his voice on stage during an unexpected early end to his Los Angeles show in 2022.

 In an interview with Variety, Tesfaye shared the emotional toll of the incident and how it became a significant turning point for him.

Describing the moment, he said: “I saw my doctor the next day, and he said, There’s nothing wrong with you — your vocal cords are inflamed, but nothing out of the ordinary “And that’s when we came to the realization that it was all up here,”

He shared that the incident was the culmination of mounting pressures, noting:  “There was a lot of self-imposed pressure…….flying to L.A. between concerts, getting into character for The Idol, shooting and then flying back for the next show.

“But what led up to it? Maybe it was that year, but maybe it was my whole life: survival, school, family, friendships, relationships, making it in the music industry. I’d always kind of suppressed it. You know, delusion helps!”

In an interview with Variety, Tesfaye opened up about the criticism surrounding The Idol. In the series, he plays a music producer and cult leader guiding Lily-Rose Depp’s pop star character. Tesfaye also helped create the show alongside Euphoria‘s Sam Levinson and worked as one of its executive producers.

He added saying: “”We had a great cast and great crew. I made some really great friends, and I love seeing everybody thriving,” he told the outlet. “I’m really proud of it — we all are. It’s unfortunate that, you know, it wasn’t met with the warmest [response], but we knew what we were making — something provocative and dark. Maybe it could have been told in a different way, maybe not. It was bigger than I expected. Not everything you put out is going to connect, and that’s fine.”

“Believe it or not, none of [the criticism] felt personal. Of course, it gets to you — I’m not saying I wasn’t affected by it; I’m saying I didn’t take it personally,” he also stressed. “Like, nobody’s out to get you, you know? I love reading criticism, even if some of it didn’t feel constructive. I’m not expecting everybody to love Hurry Up Tomorrow either. Some people might hate it, but that’s not why I’m doing this. I’m doing it because I’m an artist; it’s how I feel, and this is what I want to say.”

Tesfaye shared with Variety that he might have reached a point where he’s said everything he wants to as The Weeknd. He hinted that after releasing Hurry Up Tomorrow

He added: ““Part of me actually was thinking, ‘You lost your voice because it’s done; you said what you had to say. Don’t overstay at the party — you can end it now and live a happy life.’ You know?” he explained. “Put the bow on it: Hurry Up Tomorrow? Now we’re here. When is the right time to leave, if not at your peak? Once you understand who I am too much, then it’s time to pivot.”

Does he have plans quitting music, he said: “”Everything needs to feel like a challenge. And for me right now, the Weeknd, whatever that is, it’s been mastered. No one’s gonna do the Weeknd better than me, and I’m not gonna do it better than what it is right now,” 

“I think I’ve overcome every challenge as this persona, and that’s why I’m really excited about this film, because I love this challenge,” he said. “But I just want to know what comes after. I want to know what tomorrow looks like.”