The Weeknd’s New Film Explores Fame After Losing His Voice

Los Angeles, CA — Abel Tesfaye, the artist known as The Weeknd, is set to release his new film “Hurry Up Tomorrow” this Friday. The film stems from a deeply personal incident that occurred during his concert at SoFi Stadium in September 2022, where he mysteriously lost his voice mid-performance.

During one of two shows in Los Angeles, Tesfaye faced a shocking moment when he told the confused crowd, “I don’t know what just happened… but I just lost my voice.” Doctors later explained that his loss of voice was more psychological than physical, leading him to experience what he described as a mental breakdown.

This event pushed Tesfaye to explore the underlying issues of fame and personal struggles, eventually leading him to co-write a feature film with filmmaker Trey Edward Shults. “Hurry Up Tomorrow” offers a fictional glimpse into a reality where Tesfaye chose a darker path after the incident.

In the film, Tesfaye stars as a version of himself, accompanied by Jenna Ortega as a mysterious fan and Justin Bieber as his supportive manager. The collaboration marks a significant shift for the artist, whose previous works predominantly focused on music. Tesfaye described his time working with Shults as both inspiring and cathartic.

In interviews with GQ, Tesfaye shared, “I was inspired easily when something happens to me. I want to make art… This was the only time where I wanted people to see what I was feeling.” Shults acknowledged the unique opportunity of working with Tesfaye, stating, “If I didn’t really like this guy, we never would have made it. My promise to myself was to only make stuff with people you love.”

While the film shares a similar title with Tesfaye’s recently released album, both works reflect on his journey through fame and the psychological toll it has taken on him. Tesfaye explained, “I was lucky enough to light that persona on fire, on 35 millimeter film, and watch it. This is the moment to close two chapters in my life.” As the two artists discussed their collaboration, it became clear that “Hurry Up Tomorrow” would serve as a companion piece to his album.