Abel Tesfaye may be one of the biggest stars on the planet, but don’t expect him to clock in for the “job” of being a celebrity anytime soon.
The superstar, known to millions as The Weeknd, stepped out at AMC Lincoln Square on Tuesday for the New York premiere of his new psychological thriller, ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow.’ While the film marks his first major lead role on the big screen, the conversation quickly turned to the very thing the movie explores: the suffocating pressure of global fame.
“I think it is a skill to be famous,” Tesfaye shared. “It can really be a full-time job – and I just have no interest in that. I think I am good at hiding.”
Learning From a Viral Meltdown
The film isn’t just a work of fiction; it reimagines a terrifying real-life moment that went viral in . Fans will remember when Tesfaye abruptly lost his voice during a sold-out show at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, leaving , people in shock.
Composer Nathon Salon, who was backstage that night, recalled the chaos. “Everybody was just freaking out,” he said. “You didn’t know how to react.”
While the world wondered if it was a physical injury, Tesfaye later discovered the cause was actually psychological stress. It was a lesson in failure that he now carries with him. “Failure sucks, but don’t be scared of it,” he told reporters. “Embrace it. That is the best school. You just gotta live life, learn from it, and it will get better no matter what.”
Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan Join the Conversation
The star-studded cast, including ‘Wednesday’ star Jenna Ortega and ‘Saltburn’ standout Barry Keoghan, were also on hand to discuss their own battles with the spotlight.
Ortega, who plays a love interest named Anima in the film, admitted that dwelling on fame feels “silly in the bigger picture.” However, she confessed that working with Tesfaye gave her a new perspective on the music industry.
“I think musicians have it much harder,” Ortega noted. “I am an actor and I get to hide behind the characters. They are representing themselves. People think they are getting to know musicians for who they are, they don’t see it as the performance that it occasionally is.”
A Night to Remember
The buzz didn’t stop on the red carpet. At the star-studded afterparty at Boom on the High Line, the cast showed off their more human sides. While Tesfaye “held court” at the DJ booth for most of the night, Barry Keoghan was spotted as the ultimate proud dad, enthusiastically showing off baby photos of his son, Brando.
Director Trey Edward Shults observed that while the security and “every step” these stars take must be calculated, their connection with fans remains “sweet and beautiful.”
As ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ prepares to hit theaters, it is clear that Abel Tesfaye is moving into a new chapter—one where he is finally calling the shots on his own identity, even if it means staying hidden in plain sight.
What do you think of Abel’s take on fame? Let us know in the comments!
