Following his decision to drop his popular alias and embrace his birth name, Abel Tesfaye, formerly known as The Weeknd, opened up in a recent interview on Apple Music 1. Besides discussing his collaboration with Madonna, he shared insights about his debut acting role in the upcoming series ‘The Idol’, acknowledging its potential to stir controversy.
Expressing pride in his song ‘Popular’, which features Madonna and Playboy Carti, Tesfaye explained, “Carti and I had collaborated before, and an earlier version of this song was the result. The vocals were already recorded, and I worked around them, preserving them for the album. Now, the timing seemed perfect. The song resonated well and seemed to fit with the vibe of the album I’ve just completed.”
When it came to collaborating with Madonna, Tesfaye didn’t hold back his admiration for the iconic American singer. “I’ve always desired to work with her. I’ve dreamt of co-producing a Madonna album – she is a visionary with a distinct outlook,” he said.
Moving on to his acting debut, the singer-turned-actor shared some insights about ‘The Idol’, a project he is undertaking alongside ‘Euphoria’ director Sam Levinson and music producer Mike Dean. “Collaborating with them was exciting because my album creation process is usually solitary. I’ve known Sam for a while, and I’m aware of how integral music is to his work on ‘Euphoria’,” he said.
“We all feel a sense of pride about the project. It’s likely to stir controversy, but Sam and I aren’t new to it. We are eager for viewers to form their own opinions. Given the speculation around the show, it’s important to remember no one’s watched it yet. I haven’t felt this level of nervousness since my first performance at The Mod Club,” Tesfaye revealed.
He humbly expressed his approach to this new endeavor, stating, “I am a visitor in this world of acting. I respect the space I’m entering, and honestly, I never expected things to come easy. It never has been easy, and it never will be. That’s part of what shapes me. Despite the challenges, I am extremely proud of this project.”
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