Abel Tesfaye Is “Brainstorming” His Next Move With ‘The Weeknd’ Stage Name: “We Don’t Have Any Definite Answers”

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Following my captivating roles in “Uncut Gems” and “The Idol,” I, Abel Tesfaye, am now further establishing myself as a versatile actor. Last night, I made my leading debut in the film “Hurry Up Tomorrow.

In the Lionsgate project, Tesfaye, or The Weeknd, portrays a character based on himself – a musician teetering on the edge of a mental collapse. This character is drawn into a profound spiritual journey by an enigmatic figure. This movie serves as a complement to his album with the same title, which was unveiled in January.

Trey Edward Shults was the director of the movie, and Tesfaye expressed to The Hollywood Reporter during the New York premiere that he is “someone I’ve long admired, and as I watched the film, the initial cut, and hoped it would align with his artistic portfolio – fortunately, it has, and I feel incredibly proud of this because I am a big fan.”

Trey Edward Shults directed the movie, and Tesfaye told The Hollywood Reporter at the New York premiere that he is “someone whose work I’ve always admired, and as I watched the film and prayed it would match his body of work – luckily, it did, and I am really proud to be a part of it because I’m such a fan.

Regarding his future acting endeavors, the musician expressed, “For me, everything is art, so if something resonates with me and ignites my creativity, I’ll create it.” The film arrives as Tesfaye has hinted at retiring his stage name, suggesting that Hurry Up Tomorrow might be the last installment of The Weeknd. However, when asked about this decision on the red carpet, he stated, “We’re currently discussing it. I don’t have any definitive answers, but I haven’t abandoned the idea yet because I’m still touring and want to connect with my fans.

Ortega, clad in the famed Christian Dior newspaper gown similar to Carrie Bradshaw’s from Sex and the City, emphasized that the film is intended to be mysterious and cryptic, and she credited her “support system” comprising of Tesfaye, Keoghan, and Shults for their invaluable contributions.

She admitted it can be tough to become part of someone else’s intimate narrative, giving them the freedom to expose their emotions while still sharing pieces of your own life.

The celebrity has expressed her ambition to take up directing, following the disclosure that she’s been developing a script for a decade. When asked if fans could anticipate her stepping into the director’s role imminently, Ortega stated, “I can’t say for sure, there’s also a considerable amount of stress involved, but I truly wish to. I believe I would prefer to wait until the perfect moment and when I feel fully prepared — and I’ll recognize that point, but when I do, I want to dedicate all my time and energy to it. Currently, I’m engaged in projects that excite me greatly, so perhaps, everything requires its proper timing.

Hurry Up Tomorrow hits theaters on Friday.

Neha Joy contributed to this report.

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2025-05-14 19:54