The Weeknd has confirmed that retirement is no longer on the table, stepping back from earlier plans to change his name and pursue ventures outside of music.
In a new interview with GQ Hong Kong published Thursday (Sept. 17), Abel was asked about his previous comments regarding retirement, including his 2025 conversation with Variety.
“At one point I thought, ‘What if I just stopped?'” he confirmed. “But then I realized what a waste all of that inspiration would be. I can’t let that happen. I had a glimpse of what retirement looks like, and it isn’t for me. It’s a real privilege to do what I do.”
He added: “There’s nothing else like this job. The gratitude I’ve felt over the last year has been overwhelming. I’m going to keep doing this for as long as I possibly can. The Weeknd isn’t going anywhere.”
Elsewhere in the interview, he revealed that he does plan to take a hiatus, but emphasized that it will only be temporary.
“Disappearing simply means finally taking some time to focus all my energy on one project instead of juggling multiple things,” he explained. “This past five years for me has been creating four concept albums, countless music videos, a TV show, a feature film, and I’m still out here on a massive world tour spanning years. I think disappearing for a little while is well earned.
“I’m not stepping away from anything,” he added. “I’m just hibernating. I’m not going anywhere. My fans know I’ve shed my skin multiple times throughout my career. I was telling one story from 2020 until now, and that story has reached its conclusion. But that’s only the 2020 story.”
Fans can still look forward to new music and projects whenever The Weeknd returns. As he promised, “I haven’t felt this inspired since the beginning of my career. I’m going to put incredible care into whatever I create next.”
The singer is set to head to Tokyo this weekend for the final Asian leg of his After Hours Til Dawn Tour.
