The Weeknd opens up about losing his voice on stage and ditching moniker ahead of new album

In a recent interview with Variety, The Weeknd got candid about the mental pressure he was under after losing his voice at a concert in Los Angeles two years ago and how it made him contemplate ditching his stage moniker and going by his real name Abel Makkonen Tesfaye. 

Recounting the harrowing experience that forced him to cancel the show entirely, the 'Blinding Lights' singer explained that this incident was unprecedented. 'I’d been onstage in the middle of a breakup or a death in the family; and I’d lost my voice during a performance," he said.

Despite doing vocal warm-ups and trying to persevere through the struggle, The Weeknd admitted to feeling " defeated on the world stage with everyone watching".

Going through the ordeal forced the singer to shift his perspective about himself, his family, and his mental health which is reflected in his upcoming album Hurry Up Tomorrow, out January 26 as well as the accompanying film which releases in May. The film is co-written by the Weeknd and stars him alongside Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan.

The singer also touched upon the topic of ditching his stage name in place of his actual name after the upcoming album. "Don’t overstay at the party – you can end it now and live a happy life. You know? Put the bow on it: Hurry Up Tomorrow. Now we’re here. When is the right time to leave, if not at your peak?"