The Weeknd Reflects on ‘The Idol,’ Vocal Strain, and Fame
LOS ANGELES — May 5, 2024 — in a recent interview from his Los Angeles home, The Weeknd, whose name is Abel Tesfaye, discussed the HBO series, The Idol,
his vocal strain, and his public persona. The singer explained the demanding filming schedule, sharing behind-the-scenes details about the stadium scene’s production, and revealed how psychological stress contributed to his vocal issues. For a closer look, read on.
The Weeknd Reflects on ‘the Idol’ and Vocal Strain: A Candid Look
Abel Tesfaye, known globally as The weeknd, recently offered insights into the production of the HBO series The Idol,
and the physical toll it took on him.Speaking from his Los Angeles home, Tesfaye shared behind-the-scenes anecdotes and personal reflections.
Behind the Scenes of ‘The Idol’
Tesfaye, with a good-natured smirk,
addressed the show’s conclusion, saying, I don’t know if you ever finished ‘Idol.’ I don’t know if you got to the end yet, but I’ll help you out: By the end, our main character, Jocelyn is in a stadium in front of a crowd of people giving a speech.
He revealed that this scene was filmed in a real stadium, just before one of his concerts.
Did You Know?
The audience in the stadium during the filming of Jocelyn’s speech believed it was part of The Weeknd’s actual concert. lily-Rose Depp delivered her lines to a genuinely confused crowd.
the filming schedule was demanding. That was a real stadium. We shot right before I went onstage the first night. Lily did her speech to a confused audience. They thought that was part of the show,
Tesfaye explained.
- Pre-Show Filming: The stadium scene was shot instantly before The Weeknd’s concert.
- Lily-Rose Depp’s Performance: Depp delivered her speech to an unsuspecting audience.
- Post-Concert Reshoots: After his two-hour performance as The Weeknd, Tesfaye donned his character’s
rat tail wig
and returned to the empty stage for an additionalthree or four hours
of shooting.
The Physical Toll: Vocal Strain
The demanding schedule and intensity of the project had consequences. The night following the stadium shoot, The Weeknd experienced a vocal issue during his performance.
Doctors confirmed that his vocal cords were strained. Though, Tesfaye attributed the injury more to psychological stress than physical exertion. He noted that the injury was mainly due to psychological stress.
A Glimpse into The Weeknd’s Persona
Despite a public image that can seem self-serious and remote,
Tesfaye comes across as reserved but polite and stealthily funny
in person. He displays a self-awareness and humor that contrasts with his often-enigmatic persona.
Pro Tip: Self-Awareness
Tesfaye’s ability to reflect on his own fame and physical appearance highlights a level of self-awareness often absent in those at his level of stardom. This introspection adds depth to his artistic expression.
he humorously addressed the pressures of fame and physical appearance, saying, also the actual gluttony, I feel like I got really fat at one point, too.
He recalled noticing himself on-screen, thinking, My cheekbones are like popping! I gotta put the fork down.
Tesfaye also demonstrates a genuine curiosity about others,asking thoughtful questions. However,his conversational style can be circuitous,
sometimes veering into esoteric,lofty diffuseness
just as he approaches a concrete point.
