{
  "id": 8252251,
  "title": "After Threatening to ‘Retire’ The Weekend Persona, Abel Tesfaye Hits Reverse and Says He’s ‘Not Stepping Away From Anything’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/after-threatening-to-retire-the-weekend-persona-abel-tesfaye-hits",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-18T13:13:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Billboard",
    "slug": "billboard",
    "url": "https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/the-weekend-not-stepping-away-from-anything-reverse-retirement-1236343278/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, has sparked confusion among his fans after initially threatening to retire his stage persona, The Weeknd, after 16 years. However, he has since clarified that he is not stepping away from anything. At a concert in Stockholm, Tesfaye expressed his reluctance to \"disappear\" and said he tested retirement and didn't like it. In a new interview with GQ Hong Kong, he explained that his \"disappearing\" refers to taking time to focus on one project instead of juggling many. Tesfaye has been creating concept albums, music videos, a TV show, and a feature film in the past five years, and is currently on a massive world tour. He described his potential \"hibernation\" as well-earned. When asked about his future after his \"full retirement,\" Tesfaye emphasized his love for his job and his gratitude for the inspiration he has received over the past year. He plans to continue his music career, with the After Hours til Dawn tour set to visit Asia, including stops in Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Hong Kong.",
  "summary": "It's more like \"hibernating\" the \"Starboy\" singer says of setting aside the story he's been telling for the past six years.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Billboard",
        "title": "After Threatening to ‘Retire’ The Weeknd Persona, Abel Tesfaye Hits Reverse and Says He’s ‘Not Stepping Away From Anything’",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/after-threatening-to-retire-the-weeknd-persona-abel-tesfaye-hits",
        "published": "2026-09-18T13:13:46.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}