The Weeknd blames self-imposed pressure for losing voice at L.A. show

Understanding The Weeknd’s Voice Loss Incident

The Weeknd recently shared his experience of unexpectedly losing his voice during a concert in 2022, attributing it to stress and self-imposed pressure.

The Incident at SoFi Stadium

Abel Tesfaye, also known as The Weeknd, made headlines when his voice cracked, leading to an abrupt end of his performance at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium in September of that year. In a recent interview discussing his upcoming sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, and its accompanying film, he delved into the incident and his mental state at the time.

Insights from The Weeknd

The Canadian artist revealed, “I saw my doctor [after the concert], and he said, ‘There’s nothing wrong with you — your [vocal cords] are inflamed, but nothing out of the ordinary,'” emphasizing the psychological nature of his vocal issues.

Reflecting on the incident, The Weeknd acknowledged the role of mental stress by stating, “And that’s when we came to the realization that it was all up here,” pointing to his head.

Impact of Self-Imposed Pressure

During his After Hours Til Dawn tour, The Weeknd was balancing various commitments, including filming a now-canceled HBO series, The Idol. He admitted, “There was a lot of self-imposed pressure: flying to L.A. between concerts, getting into character, shooting, and then flying back for the next show.”

The artist suggested that the incident may have been a culmination of not just that year but a lifetime of challenges in survival, relationships, and navigating the music industry. He acknowledged the suppression of these stressors and the realization that everything can change in a single moment.

The Weeknd expressed that losing his voice was a unique experience for him, as his voice had always been a reliable tool in challenging situations. This instance marked a significant setback for him, facing defeat on a public platform.

Repercussions on His Creative Process

The voice loss incident prompted The Weeknd to reevaluate his upcoming album, the final part of a trilogy following After Hours and Dawn FM. He shared, “I had a good chunk of the album done, but then [SoFi] happened, and other things happened after, and you go right back to the drawing board.”

Despite the challenges, Hurry Up Tomorrow is set to release on Jan. 26, accompanied by a film of the same name on May 16, promising a musically driven psychological thriller featuring The Weeknd, Jenna Ortega, and Barry Keoghan.

FAQs

Q: How did The Weeknd lose his voice during the concert?

A: The Weeknd attributed his voice loss to stress and self-imposed pressure, leading to vocal cord inflammation.

Q: What impact did losing his voice have on The Weeknd?

A: The incident caused The Weeknd to reevaluate his upcoming album and reflect on the importance of mental health in his creative process.

Q: When is The Weeknd’s album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, set to release?

A: The album is scheduled for release on Jan. 26, with a companion film arriving on May 16.

Credit: ew.com