The Weeknd returns to the Grammys after 4-year boycott, gets live apology from academy
Courtesy: AFP
The Weeknd made an unexpected return to the 2025 Grammy Awards, surprising fans with an electrifying performance of "Timeless" alongside Playboi Carti.
This performance marks the singer’s comeback after a four-year boycott, during which he publicly called out the Recording Academy’s lack of transparency.
In 2021, The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, expressed his frustration after his critically acclaimed album After Hours and the massive hit "Blinding Lights" received no Grammy nominations. His tweet, now deleted, read: "The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans, and the industry transparency…” This statement led to his decision to boycott the awards, a move that caught the attention of the music industry.
Reflecting on the tense history, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. shared his thoughts during the 2025 ceremony. “I remember waking up to the headlines that the Weeknd called out the Academy for a lack of transparency in our awards. He went so far as to announce he was boycotting the Grammys. That made for some interesting reading over breakfast,” said Mason. “Criticism is OK. I heard him. I felt his conviction.”
THE ACADEMY APOLOGIZING TO THE WEEKND ON LIVE TV. #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/Lidvl4U70y
Despite his public stance, The Weeknd was welcomed back this year, with Mason acknowledging the Academy's efforts to modernize. The Academy has since added more diverse voting members and initiated programs like Black Music Collective and Women in the Mix to address past concerns.
The Weeknd’s return was seen as a symbolic victory. Many fans took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate the moment. One user commented, "The Weeknd getting the Grammys to apologize to him live on TV in front of millions of people is the biggest power move 😂."
The Weeknd getting the Grammys to apologize to him live on TV in front of millions of people is the biggest power move 😂
— hov (@itsHovseason) February 3, 2025the grammys making a powerpoint of what the weeknd said about them pic.twitter.com/yqlltgl5mh
Another wrote, "Only The Weeknd can publicly call out the Grammys and still pull up to deliver the best performance of the night."
only the weeknd can publicly call out the grammys and still pull up to deliver the best performance of the night pic.twitter.com/FSgx6G8dKs
The performance came just after the release of Hurry Up Tomorrow, the final installment in his After Hours trilogy. As he graced the stage, it was clear that The Weeknd's relationship with the Grammys has come full circle—what began as a public dispute ended with an on-stage apology and a triumphant return.
Fans couldn’t help but marvel at the moment, with one user quipping, “The Academy apologizing to The Weeknd on live TV. #GRAMMYs.” Another added, “i was literally mad because i was like why is he just calling the Weeknd out like that JUST FOR ABEL’S ASS TO SHOW UP ON THE GRAMMY STAGE.” The moment was certainly a powerful reminder of how far both The Weeknd and the Recording Academy have come.
i was literally mad because i was like why is he just calling the weeknd out like that JUST FOR ABELS ASS TO SHOW UP ON THE GRAMMY STAGE pic.twitter.com/ujsVCKK4JF