Is The Weeknd really saying goodbye to Abel? Singer reveals why his stage name is staying

The Weeknd appears to have changed his mind about one of the biggest plans surrounding his music career. The singer, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, previously spoke openly about retiring his famous stage persona, but he has now told fans that the Weeknd name is staying.

During his concert in Stockholm on Saturday, the Grammy winner addressed his earlier thoughts about leaving the persona behind. Footage from the performance showed the singer telling the audience, "I tested retirement a little bit, and I don’t like the way it feels." He then added, "Imma be here forever with you."

The comments mark a notable change from what Tesfaye had said in previous years. The artist had repeatedly discussed ending the Weeknd chapter and potentially continuing his career under his birth name, Abel.

In April 2022, Tesfaye suggested that he could legally change his name to ABEL and perform without a surname. He compared the idea to artists such as Madonna, Cher and Prince, who have become globally recognised through single names.

His plans became even clearer in 2023 when he discussed the possibility of making his then upcoming album his final project as the Weeknd. Speaking to W Magazine, Tesfaye described the record as potentially his "last hurrah" under the persona and said he was preparing to close that chapter of his career.

He also spoke about wanting to shed the identity that had defined his rise to global fame. Tesfaye said he still wanted to make music but felt that continuing as the Weeknd was no longer providing the same creative challenge.

That thinking continued into the release of his 2025 album Hurry Up Tomorrow. Tesfaye explained to Variety that he felt he had mastered what the Weeknd represented creatively. He said that nobody could do the Weeknd better than he could and suggested that moving forward would require a new challenge.

The latest comments suggest that the singer has now reconsidered that direction. Rather than moving towards a formal retirement of the Weeknd identity, Tesfaye appears ready to continue performing under the name that has defined his career for well over a decade.

The decision comes while he is performing across Europe on the AFTER HOURS TIL DAWN tour. The European run includes dates in major cities including London, Dublin, Madrid and Barcelona before continuing to Lisbon, Portugal, on September 6.

The Weeknd name remains closely tied to some of the biggest songs of Tesfaye’s career, including "Blinding Lights", "Earned It" and "Save Your Tears". His decision to keep the persona therefore preserves the identity under which he built one of the most commercially successful careers in modern pop music.

For now, Tesfaye has made his position clear to his fans in Stockholm. The retirement plan that once seemed like an inevitable next chapter has been put aside, with the singer now signalling that the Weeknd will remain his stage identity for the foreseeable future.