News | Entertainment
23 May 2025 12:54
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    The Weeknd is "brainstorming" the end of his stage name

    The 'Blinding Lights' hitmaker - whose real name is Abel Tesfaye - has previously spoken about the desire to get rid of his persona and suggested his upcoming movie 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' would be his last project under the moniker, but he isn't quite ready to drop it yet because of his career commitments


    He told The Hollywood Reporter: "We're brainstorming it right now. I feel like we don't have any definite answers, but I haven't dropped it yet because I'm on tour, so I've still gotta get out there and see the fans."

    The 35-year-old star also teased he is "getting there" in the process of ditching The Weeknd.

    He told People magazine: "Have I started? Yeah, it's getting there.

    "I mean, I'm on tour right now, so I can't fully retire it."

    The Grammy-winning star was pressed on whether the idea has brought up any emotions.

    He said: "Oh, I can't tell you too much."

    The Weeknd finds the idea of being famous "weird".

    He said: "I've always wanted my work to be famous. I don't know if I ever wanted to be famous, so that whole skill set I haven't really mastered and I don't plan to.

    "It's a weird situation, but here we are."

    The 'After Hours' hitmaker recently told how he knew it was time to quit his job in a clothing store when his colleagues were enjoying his music without realising he was behind it.

    Speaking to Jenna Ortega in conversation for V magazine, he said: "I've been recording since I was about 14 or 15, but I didn't really blow up until my early 20s.

    "But even then, you know, inspired by Daft Punk, I wanted the music to speak for itself, right? When I put music out, nobody knew what I looked like. I was just getting off the street, not quite homeless anymore.

    "I had a day job at American Apparel, and people at my job were playing my music. I had put it out. So, people were playing my music and had no idea that I was standing and working right beside them. So that to me was the validation I needed to quit my job and focus on this 110%."

    The 35-year-old musician is grateful he had the "luxury" of adjusting to success while remaining anonymous for some time.

    He told Jenna: "Our experiences are a little different. When I was your age, I was able to hold on to being anonymous a little longer.

    "My fans didn't really know what I looked like until maybe three projects in.

    "So I was very calculated because I didn't want to get thrown in, and I wanted to experience life behind the camera. It was a luxury I was able to kind of carve out for myself.

    "But you're able to handle it with so much grace. I mean, the only advice I can really give you is to stay close to the people who knew you before all this."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     23 May: Chris Brown has been released on bail by a London court after being charged over an alleged "unprovoked attack"
     23 May: Jimmy Kimmel has become a grandfather
     23 May: Ana de Armas wants to set "external boundaries" between her public and private life
     23 May: Victoria Beckham has "tries to be the best" mother and wife she can
     23 May: Natalie Portman struggled to cope with Hollywood's awards season when she was pregnant
     23 May: Yungblud says Jesse Jo Stark is still "the biggest love" of his life despite their ongoing break
     23 May: Michelle Williams had a "horrible" time living with Ryan Gosling while they were making their movie 'Blue Valentine'
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    The Black Ferns are finding a balance between World Cup prep and putting out a winning side for Saturday's Pacific Four game against the United States More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Supercars will race in the North and South Islands as part of a New Zealand double-header from next season - Christchurch's Ruapuna Raceway joins the calendar and Taupo's agreement extends until 2028 More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Chris Brown has been released on bail by a London court after being charged over an alleged "unprovoked attack" 12:36

    Law and Order:
    Two men have been arrested over an alleged assault involving firearms in Christchurch 12:27

    Soccer:
    Michael Mayne's been rewarded with the Football Ferns coaching job after an intense balancing act 12:17

    Law and Order:
    Who are Kneecap and why has a member been charged with terrorism? 12:07

    Politics:
    NZ Budget 2025: funding growth at the expense of pay equity for women could cost National in the long run 12:07

    Entertainment:
    Jimmy Kimmel has become a grandfather 12:06

    Law and Order:
    Nearly 400 kilograms of cannabis and 40 grams of cocaine have been seized in Auckland's Kumeu 11:57

    Entertainment:
    Ana de Armas wants to set "external boundaries" between her public and private life 11:36

    Business:
    Supercars will race in the North and South Islands as part of a New Zealand double-header from next season - Christchurch's Ruapuna Raceway joins the calendar and Taupo's agreement extends until 2028 11:27

    Law and Order:
    Israeli leaders blame Europe after embassy staff shot dead in Washington DC 11:17


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd