Ahead of his move into TV, Abel Tesfaye could be leaving music behind in some capacity as he retires The Weeknd.
Tesfaye, 33, began making music as The Weeknd in 2009, releasing hits such as Blinding Lights, Starboy, The Hills, and Save Your Tears.
The Canadian singer is among the world’s best-selling music artists, with numerous accolades to his name including four Grammy Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and an Academy Award nomination.
He is set to release his debut TV series The Idol next month, starring Lily-Rose Depp in the lead role of Jocelyn, an aspiring pop star who endeavors to save her career after suffering a breakdown by striking up a relationship with a cult leader, played by Tesfaye.
As he makes a move toward the big screen, it could mean the end for The Weeknd as the artist teases his retirement from the project.
‘The album I’m working on now is probably my last hurrah as The Weeknd. This is something that I have to do. As The Weeknd, I’ve said everything I can say,’ he told W Magazine.
He went on to say he may still make music ‘as Abel, or maybe The Weeknd,’ but he still wants to ‘kill’ the persona.
‘And I will. Eventually. I’m definitely trying to shed that skin and be reborn,’ he continued.
Tesfaye is set to create the soundtrack for The Idol, the series he has created with Reza Fahim and Sam Levinson.
The production hasn’t been without its problems, with Rolling Stone claiming the project was in ‘turmoil’, after multiple script changes, the exit of director Amy Seimetz after most of the series was already finished, and then Levinson taking over and scrapping the ‘nearly-finished’ $54-75 (£45-62) million project to rewrite and reshoot the entire thing.
Sources also told the magazine that when Levinson took over, he ‘dialled up the disturbing sexual content and nudity’.
Tesfaye touched on the drama during his interview with W Magazine, saying: ‘Film and TV is a new creative muscle for me. I don’t release my music until I think it is great. Why would this be any different?’
Issuing a statement to Metro.co.uk in response to the matter, HBO said: ‘The creators and producers of The Idol have been working hard to create one of HBO’s most exciting and provocative original programs. The initial approach on the show and production of the early episodes, unfortunately, did not meet HBO standards so we chose to make a change.
‘Throughout the process, the creative team has been committed to creating a safe, collaborative, and mutually respectful working environment, and last year, the team made creative changes they felt were in the best interest of both the production and the cast and crew. We look forward to sharing The Idol with audiences soon.’
The Idol premieres on HBO for US viewers and Sky for UK viewers on Sunday, June 4.
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