The global superstar opens up about his early days, unexpected support, and a nostalgic return to where it all began.
Before headlining sold-out arenas and topping global charts, The Weeknd — real name Abel Tesfaye — was just another 19-year-old folding clothes at American Apparel. In a candid appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he opened up about how those humble beginnings shaped him — and how the encouragement of a few coworkers helped turn a dream into destiny.
At the time, Abel hadn’t even shown his face publicly. That anonymity, he says, gave him freedom — a chance to quietly focus on his music without outside pressure. What pushed him to finally take the leap? His own coworkers started playing his tracks at work. That moment of unexpected validation, hearing his music through the store’s speakers, was the spark that changed everything.
And the story comes full circle.
One of those early managers? He’s now a key player on The Weeknd’s creative team — responsible for the typography and visual identity on his album covers.
During the show, The Weeknd also recalled a pivotal moment in 2015 when Tom Cruise famously performed a lip sync to “Can’t Feel My Face” on the same stage. He called it a milestone — a cultural moment that gave his career a powerful boost. Fast forward ten years, and he returned to the show with a personal tribute to Cruise and his upcoming film, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, set to premiere on May 23.
The momentum doesn’t stop there.
The Weeknd recently released the film Hurry Up Tomorrow, starring Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan, and performed two brand-new songs — “Baptized in Fear” and “Open Hearts” — live with a full band and immersive lighting.
He’s also back on the road with the After Hours til Dawn 2025 Tour, which kicked off in Phoenix, Arizona and continues through September 3, with the next stop in Detroit on May 24.
