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The Weeknd
By: Mya Bradford
The Weeknd, also known as Abel, is a canadian songwriter who is known for his romantic and catchy songs. The beginning of his fame started just back in 2010 when he released music anonymously on Youtube under the name The Weeknd. Just a year later, he released his first debut album House of Balloons. This album included some of his best songs: What You Need, Wicked Games, and The Morning. He has created many top hits and it was recorded in 2021 that he has a net worth of around $200 million dollars, so who knows how much it is now. He is the first male to hold the top three spots on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs Chart at the same time. Even though he is a very successful individual, it wasn’t always easy for him when he first started.
It wasn’t easy for him growing up. He was being raised by a single mom and had no father figure in the house. At 17, he decided he wanted to move out of his mother’s house and move in with his friend. They made some very bad decisions. The two partied, stole from supermarkets, spending the money they had on alcohol and drugs. According to abcnews.go.com, The Weeknd stated, “When I had nothing to do but make music, it was very heavy," he said. "Drugs were a crutch for me. There were songs on my first record that were seven minutes long, rambling -- whatever thoughts I was having when I was under the influence at the time. I can’t see myself doing that now.” After he moved out, his mother looked at him like he was a failure so he was motivated to make something out of himself or he claims that he wouldn’t be able to go back without being something. He said “That was definitely a big motivation. To get back home, and not empty-handed.”
The Weeknd admitted to suffering with stage fright but said his fans made him overcome it. According to finance.yahoo.com, The Weeknd stated, “I used to be very nervous, especially about performing on TV…It’s usually just nerves when somebody sounds bad. People who become famous for singing are usually pretty good at singing.” He then goes on to talk about how when he first started his career he performed on TV and there was no one there and that you could hear a pin drop on some of those TV stations. Now when he goes out to perform, his fans are there cheering his name and they want him to do well so he doesn’t worry. He tells Billboard he realized his nerves were getting the best of him when he performed his first time at Coachella in 2012.
Throughout the years The Weeknd has been in a couple relationships. He and Bella Hadid dated from May 2015 to November 2016. After a split, they rekindled their relationship in April 2018. They ended up calling it quits in August 2019. When Hadid and him were dating she stated, “The Grammys was a big night for him. He has worked so hard, and he did so well that night. As a girlfriend, I wanted to be there to support him. Seeing him so happy when he won a Grammy made me so happy.” After Hadid he was linked to the likes of Yovanna Ventura, Rosalia, the Only Murders in the Building star and Angelina Jolie. Jolie and his romance first hit headlines in July 2021 after they were spotted on many dinner dates. They told people that they were just friends but a reporter stated that those who know them think something romantic is going on. Fans even believed that he discussed their love on his Dawn FM record. Selena Gomez and The Weeknd even went out for ten months. They made their debut at the 2017 Met Gala. They ended up splitting in October 2017 before she rekindled her romance with her ex Justin Bieber.
The Weeknd’s all time top songs include: “Blinding Lights,” “Starboy,” “Save Your Tears,” “Less Than Zero,” “The Hills,” and “Earned It.” His song “Earned It” has earned three Grammys and an Oscar. It even played in Fifty Shades of Grey which earned it some of its popularity. In total, The Weeknd has won 140 awards and had 428 nominations. In 2021 at the Juno Awards, which is where they honor the year’s best music by Canadian artists, The Weeknd won artist of the year, album of the year and contemporary R&B recording of the year (“After Hours”), single of the year (“Blinding Lights”) and songwriter of the year. Five years ago, he won the same categories with his album “Beauty Behind the Madness” and single, “Can’t Feel My Face,” but he didn’t appear on the show to perform or accept an award. He is the first artist to sweep the awards for artist, album, single and songwriter of the year twice.
Sources:
Luchina Fisher, “ “When I had nothing to do but make music, it was very heavy," he said. "Drugs were a crutch for me. There were songs on my first record that were seven minutes long, rambling -- whatever thoughts I was having when I was under the influence at the time. I can’t see myself doing that now.” abcnews.go.com, “The Weeknd Opens Up About His 'Dark' Past”, abcnews, 5 December 2016, https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/weeknd-opens-dark-past/story?id=43987671 15 October 2022.
Lindsay Kimble, “The Weeknd stated, “I used to be very nervous, especially about performing on TV.” explains The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye. “It’s usually just nerves when somebody sounds bad. People who become famous for singing are usually pretty good at singing.” finance.yahoo.com, “The Weeknd Reveals How His Fans Helped Him Overcome Stage Fright.”, finance.yahoo, 12 December 2016, https://finance.yahoo.com/news/weeknd-reveals-fans-helped-him-174118474.html 15 October 2022.
Miranda Siwak, “ “The Grammys was a big night for him. He has worked so hard, and he did so well that night. As a girlfriend, I wanted to be there to support him. Seeing him so happy when he won a Grammy made me so happy.” usmagazine.com, “The Weeknd’s Dating History Through the Years: Bella Hadid, Selena Gomez and More” usmagazine, 25 February 2022, https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/pictures/the-weeknds-dating-history-through-the-years-photos/ 15 October 2022.
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