The Weeknd suffered a “mental breakdown” after losing his voice during a 2022 concert.
The 34-year-old music star lost his voice while performing the final show of his tour, and he admits that the experience left him feeling “defeated”. The moment happened in front of over 70,000 fans who had gathered to see his performance at the state-of-the-art venue.
“I knew that I really needed to sit the f*** down and figure out my life. To understand what happened, face it, learn something new and start again,” The Weeknd – who returned to the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles a few weeks later in order to fulfil the tour date – told Variety. The SoFi Stadium, which opened in 2020, is one of the largest and most technologically advanced venues in the world.
The singer’s new album, ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’, has actually been inspired by the experience. The album marks his first full-length release since the critically acclaimed ‘Dawn FM’ in 2022, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200.
“I’d had a kind of a mental breakdown, which is pretty much what this new album’s about,” The Weeknd – whose real name is Abel Tesfaye – said. The artist has consistently pushed boundaries in the music industry since his breakthrough mixtape ‘House of Balloons’ in 2011.
The incident at SoFi Stadium marked a pivotal moment in The Weeknd’s career, which has seen him evolve from an underground R&B artist to one of the most streamed musicians globally. His music has accumulated over 75 billion streams across all platforms, making him one of the most successful artists of the digital era.
The voice loss incident occurred during his “After Hours til Dawn” tour, which went on to become one of the highest-grossing tours of 2022, earning over $350 million worldwide. Despite the setback, the tour continued to break records and showcase The Weeknd’s evolution as a live performer.
The forthcoming album ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow‘ represents a departure from his previous work, with early reports suggesting a more introspective and emotionally raw approach to songwriting. Industry insiders who have heard early cuts from the album describe it as his most personal work to date.
Throughout his career, The Weeknd has been known for his willingness to explore darker themes in his music, from addiction to isolation. This new album continues that tradition while adding a layer of vulnerability previously unseen in his work. His openness about mental health issues has resonated with fans and fellow artists alike.
The SoFi Stadium incident and subsequent breakdown led to increased industry discussion about artist mental health and the pressures of touring. Several major artists have since spoken out about the importance of maintaining mental well-being while on the road, citing The Weeknd’s experience as a wake-up call for the industry.
Medical experts note that voice loss in performers can often be triggered by a combination of physical and psychological factors, including stress, exhaustion, and the demands of maintaining a rigorous performance schedule. The condition, known as psychological aphonia, affects approximately 10% of professional singers at some point in their careers.
The artist’s decision to return to SoFi Stadium weeks after the incident demonstrated both his resilience and commitment to his fans. The make-up show was praised by critics as one of his strongest performances, with many noting the emotional depth he brought to the stage following his recovery.
‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ is set to feature collaborations with several prominent artists, though specific details remain under wraps. Industry analysts predict the album could be The Weeknd’s most successful to date, given the personal nature of its content and the anticipation built around its release.
As one of the most influential artists of his generation, The Weeknd’s openness about his mental health struggles has helped destigmatize conversations about mental wellness in the music industry. His experience has inspired other artists to be more forthcoming about their own challenges and the importance of seeking help when needed.
