This Monday is not only the end of the weekend, but potentially, the end of the weekend.
Pop star Abel Tesfaye – formerly known by his stage name, The Weeknd – has begun using his given name on social media accounts, quietly changing his moniker to “kill The Weeknd” in an interview with W Magazine last week.
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“The album I’m working on right now is probably my last hurray as The Weeknd,” he said in the interview, “It’s something I have to do. As The Weeknd, I’ve said everything I can.”
Fans took to Twitter to express their thoughts on the name change. One user posted a GIF of Miley Cyrus in her former Disney Channel pop star character, Hannah Montana – quickly comparing the two transformations.
“I don’t know if I’m ready to say goodbye to The Weeknd, but I’m definitely ready for Abel Tesfaye, his true self,” wrote another.
In April of last year, Tesfaye wrote on Twitter, “Abel officially known as The Weeknd?” suggested that his decision to change his name had been in the works for a long time.
ABEL officially known as The Weeknd?
— Abel Tesfaye (@theweeknd) April 3, 2022
As of Monday, the singer’s social media handles are still under his stage name, with his display name appearing on Instagram and Twitter as Abel Tesfaye. Tesfaye is still listed as The Weeknd on Facebook.
CBS News reached out to a representative for Tesfai for comment, but has not yet heard back. He has not spoken publicly about the name change.
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