Like so many other artists these days, Abel Tesfaye has struggled with the extent of his own celebrity. “People get consumed, especially now, by the concept of being famous,” he told Variety in a new interview. “And I’m not good at being famous—I never will be. I’ve always been reserved.”

The Weeknd is ready for a change. As the release of new album Hurry Up Tomorrow approaches, the 34-year-old hitmaker is saying it will most likely be his last under the persona that made him a star. In a new Variety cover story published Friday (Jan.

The 34-year-old music star – whose real name is Abel Tesfaye – admits he could soon walk away from his stage name and move on to a new phase of his career. Tesfaye has been performing as The Weeknd since 2010, when he first gained attention through anonymous YouTube uploads.

In a new cover story interview with 'Variety,' The Weeknd opened up about having a "mental breakdown" and how it contributed to his forthcoming album 'Hurry Up Tomorrow.'

The Weeknd may not be The Weeknd for much longer, as Abel Tesfaye is still toying with dropping his alias after the upcoming album 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' drops.

Samir Hussein/Getty Images for ABA The Weeknd’s sixth album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, may be the last that he releases under his stage name. The singer, whose real name is Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, said he is considering retiring the persona that has helped define his music and acting career after the album’s January 25 release.