The Weeknd Speaks On Being ‘Sober Lite’, Sticking By His Decision To Not Submit To The Grammy’s Anymore & ‘Rollercoaster’ Michael Jackson Comparisons

The Weeknd Speaks On Being ‘Sober Lite’, Sticking By His Decision To Not Submit To The Grammy’s Anymore & ‘Rollercoaster’ Michael Jackson Comparisons

The Weeknd addressed a multitude of topics in a recent interview!

Earlier today (Monday, August 2nd), GQ published a recent interview they conducted with The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye). Towards the beginning of his interview, the star spoke on others’ common perception that he’s a “dark person.” Regarding this subject, The Weeknd said:

“I am not dark. My art is dark, and I’ve gone through dark times. I’ve used those dark times as inspiration for my art. But I feel like because I’m not dark, I was able to channel it and put it into my music and into my art.”

Additionally, The Weeknd spoke on the fact that–in many of his videos–he is shown being beaten up or murdered. He clarified that his motivation for doing so is to essentially kill off the public perception of his stage persona, claiming:

“It’s crazy, right? I think it’s me removing The Weeknd from Abel. I think a lot of people are like, ‘Oh, he’s suicidal.’ It’s not that. I think it’s me removing The Weeknd from the world, but he still finds his way back. He keeps coming out. ‘Blinding Lights’ is obviously not going to have him disappear anytime soon.”

The Weeknd then dished on how he keeps his love life private. Specifically, he addressed the question of whether or not he ever feels guilty about putting a non-celebrity in the spotlight by dating her. He stated:

“Yes. I do feel guilty. For sure… I try not to do too much. I just try not to bring attention to myself. And I just love being in normal situations, man. It’s such a great feeling. To be able to just like go on a walk and not being in a f***ing SUV.”

Then, the superstar spoke on his life being “sober lite” after using various drugs in the past:

“I do [drink]. Occasionally. I’m not a heavy drinker, as much as I used to be. The romance of drinking isn’t there. Yes [I smoke weed]. No [I don’t do other drugs]. Drugs were a crutch. It was me thinking that I needed it. And not doing the work to figure out how not to need it. And I’ve spent the last few years realizing that and thanking God that I don’t need it. Because for a lot of people, it’s hard to shake it. But I knew I didn’t want it.”

He proceeded to then speak on his plans of having a family in the future. The Weeknd claimed:

“I eventually want a family. I know I say I don’t, but I know I do. I want children. I guess I say it because I like the trajectory of my career. But also I feel like having children would influence me and inspire me more.”

Regarding this matter, he briefly addressed how he would feel having to explain his sexual lyrics to his children one day, saying:

“I’m prepared for it. At the end of the day, it’s my art. And that’s who Daddy was.”

The Weeknd then spoke on feeling snubbed by the Grammy’s. As you may recall, The Weeknd claimed the Grammy’s was “corrupt” after not being nominated despite planning a performance for the awards ceremony.

Regarding this matter, he stated:

“I guess I just wasn’t good enough. I don’t believe that, but to their standards, that’s what it is. I wasn’t good enough, and that’s the reality of it. When it happened, I had all these ideas and thoughts. I was angry and I was confused and I was sad. But now, looking back at it, I never want to know what really happened. I just don’t care. Because that will never be the reason why I do what I do. It never really was before. And I’m glad that I can make music and not have to think about that. I’ll never be in that conversation ever again.”

He then doubled down on his decision to not submit to the Grammy’s ever again:

“I have no interest. Everyone’s like, ‘No, just do better next time.’ I will do better, but not for you. I’m going to do better for me.”

Towards the end of his interview, The Weeknd addressed people continually comparing him to Michael Jackson, saying:

“[The comparison is] a roller coaster, because Michael is somebody that I admire. He’s not like a real person, you know? When I started making music, that’s all I wanted to aspire to, just like every other musician. So then when I started getting those types of comparisons, I invited them, because it’s like who wouldn’t want that? But I guess the older I got, and the more I started understanding who I was, it was very important for me to realize: How do I become that for someone else? Because I know James Brown was that for Michael. And I’m not trying to say I’m Michael’s successor or whatnot. But I’m excited to be the first Weeknd.”

What do you think about The Weeknd’s recent interview? Comment down below to let us know!