How The Weeknd Chooses His Big Projects
Abel Tesfaye, most folks know him as The Weeknd. He started out kinda hidden, you know? Just a voice making moody music. But honestly, he’s grown way past just music. He’s really diving into film and TV now. It’s pretty cool to see him change. His choices tell us a lot about him. They show his unique take on art. He totally gets culture and how to tell a good story. To be honest, figuring out his process helps us. It shows us his view on his own art. And what kinds of stories feel important to him.
His Artistic Style: A Quick Look
Before we talk about his film stuff, let’s think about his music. What really makes it tick? He mixes R&B, pop, and hip-hop together. His sound often feels dark and kinda sad. He sings a lot about love and heartache. Being lonely pops up a bunch too. You know, big life questions are in there. It’s interesting how he blends his own life. These moments mix with bigger ideas about people and places. This really helps you connect with his songs. You feel the stories he tells.
His artistic vision pretty much stays the same. You can see it in his film and TV work. He looks for projects that fit his usual topics. These projects also let him get creative in new ways. Look at that HBO show, *The Idol*, for instance. He helped make it and starred in it too. That show clearly shows he wants to look at fame’s dark side. It also explores the entertainment world’s tough spots. This story ties back deeply to his own life. It mirrors ideas from his songs. It makes you wonder about success’s real cost.
How He Decides What to Work On
So, how does The Weeknd actually pick his projects? It seems to me he has a few simple rules. First, a project has to match his art style. He’s super careful about what he does. He picks roles and partners that just click with his creative ideas. Think about *The Idol* again. It looks at fame and difficult relationships. It explores celebrity’s dark parts. This perfectly fits the themes in his music. It connects everything he does. That’s a smart move, honestly.
Second, working with the right people is super important. He often teams up with others who truly get his art. Sam Levinson, the show’s director, is a great example. Their work on *The Idol* proves this point well. Levinson’s shows often feel very raw. They show human life just as it is. This style totally fits The Weeknd’s art. It’s a natural match, you know?
Beyond just themes and teamwork, culture plays a big part. He really understands what’s happening in the world. He uses his platform to talk about important stuff. You see it in his music videos all the time. His live shows often make social comments too. By choosing projects that speak to today’s culture, he keeps his work fresh. It stays relevant for everyone watching.
Historically, musicians have jumped into acting for ages. Frank Sinatra did it. Elvis Presley became a movie star. David Bowie was a fantastic actor. Lady Gaga won awards for acting. But here’s the thing, The Weeknd is different. He doesn’t just act. He gets deeply involved behind the scenes. He helps shape the story itself. That level of creative control isn’t common. It’s not just taking a role; it’s building the whole thing.
“The Idol”: A Closer Look
*The Idol* is a really clear example of his choices. This HBO show got tons of attention. It tells a fictional story about a young pop star. She’s dealing with massive fame. She gets into complex relationships. Some people found the show shocking. It stirred up lots of debate online. It brought up things like power dynamics. It showed celebrity life and what fame can cost someone. It was pretty intense stuff.
The Weeknd wasn’t just acting in it. He helped create it from the start. He was also an executive producer. That shows he poured a lot of effort into the project. He’s mentioned the show pulls from his own life. He’s seen the entertainment industry up close. So, it’s more than just a TV show. It’s a story exploring his artistic journey. He told Variety it was his most beautiful and disturbing work. That mix of ideas is pure Weeknd. It highlights how he deals with fame’s challenges. He tries hard to stay true to himself.
Choosing Levinson, known for *Euphoria*, was smart. Levinson’s stories are often raw and unfiltered. They can make you uncomfortable. But they feel incredibly human. This style perfectly mirrors The Weeknd’s music themes. This teamwork lets The Weeknd explore tough topics deeply. These topics might be hard to watch. But they bring him a lot artistically. And maybe personally too.
How People Felt About It
Let’s think about how folks reacted to The Weeknd’s projects. And what kind of ripple effect they had. *The Idol* got some mixed reviews, for sure. But it absolutely got everyone talking online. This shows how powerful controversial stories can be today. Deadline reported over 1.5 million people watched it early on. Those numbers tell us something important. People are curious about stories that push boundaries. Especially when they come from artists like The Weeknd. We expect him to be real and explore deep feelings.
His impact goes beyond just viewer counts. *The Idol* digs into selling your identity. It also shows the dark side of fame. These ideas really connect with what’s happening culturally. Society is talking more about mental health. We’re thinking about identity and social media’s effect. The Weeknd’s art shows he truly understands these talks. This connection makes him more relevant. It also makes him a leader in entertainment. What do you think about that whole debate?
Some critics felt the show was gratuitous. They argued it went too far just for shock value. An article in Rolling Stone detailed production issues and concerns about the show’s direction. Yet, supporters argued it was meant to be uncomfortable. They said it reflected the harsh reality of the industry. That kind of back-and-forth is part of the art itself.
How He Compares to Other Artists
It’s really interesting to see how The Weeknd chooses projects. We can stack his approach against other musicians. Many artists have tried film and TV over the years. But their choices often look quite different. It usually depends on their music and who they are as a public figure.
Think about Drake or Lady Gaga again. Drake often focuses on projects linked to his music. The *Drake: The Carter Effect* documentary is one example. Lady Gaga, though, focuses heavily on acting itself. She takes roles that let her show different sides of her talent. Her performance in *A Star is Born* was incredible. Both found huge success, that’s clear. But The Weeknd’s projects, like *The Idol*, dig deeper. They get into the tougher sides of fame. They explore who you are when the lights go down. He tells a much more complex story.
He also stands out because he keeps creative control. He co-created and produced *The Idol*. This makes sure his artistic ideas stay central. Most musicians don’t get that much say. They often just take acting roles. It’s truly a unique path he’s carving out.
What’s Next for The Weeknd?
Looking ahead, it’s honestly pretty exciting to think about what The Weeknd might do. I am eager to see him keep mixing music and visuals. He’ll definitely push boundaries. He’ll explore new themes, I’m sure of it. *The Idol* got people talking, right? So, I believe he’ll keep choosing projects like that. Ones that let him look closely at cultural topics we often ignore.
Streaming services are huge now, you know? This gives artists like The Weeknd amazing new chances. People want more original stuff. So, he might try different types of art entirely. Imagine a series that uses music to explore mental health struggles. Imagine a film about relationships in the age of dating apps. The possibilities really are endless for him.
The Weeknd’s impact on culture will only keep growing. He stays incredibly aware of changes in society. He has this knack for showing today’s issues through his art. This makes his work engaging to watch. And it makes it feel truly important. I believe he’s just getting warmed up. I am excited to see what stories he brings us next.
Some Common Questions
Why did The Weeknd make *The Idol*? He wanted to examine fame and identity. He aimed to show the difficult parts of the entertainment world. He pulled from his own experiences doing this.
How does he choose who to work with? He looks for people who share his artistic vision. Sam Levinson is a great example. Their storytelling ideas truly aligned. This makes their projects feel deeper.
What themes does he explore often? Love, sadness, fame, and existential questions are common. He often looks at the darker parts of these feelings. He gives a really thoughtful view.
Did public reaction affect his choices? Yes, audience reactions give him feedback. They show him what topics are hitting home now. Good viewership numbers encourage him to tell challenging stories.
What might he do next? Future projects could cover new ideas and styles. Maybe he’ll look at mental health more closely. Or other big societal issues through music and film. His art will likely keep changing as the world does.
Some Different Views
The Weeknd’s project choices usually get lots of praise. But some people definitely criticize them. Some folks find his work too dark or too controversial. This can understandably turn some viewers away. As I mentioned, critics had mixed feelings about *The Idol*. Some felt it exploited certain themes about fame and relationships.
But here’s the thing, I believe this kind of debate can be healthy. Stories that challenge us make us think. They start important conversations we need to have. That’s a huge part of what art is for. The Weeknd isn’t afraid to tackle tough topics. Even the ones that make us feel uncomfortable. This can spark deep discussions about fame’s effects. Also about identity and mental health struggles. These talks are so important right now. Many people still find it hard to open up about such things.
An opposing view might say that art shouldn’t be so difficult. Some argue entertainment should be an escape. A counterargument to that is art can be *both*. It can entertain *and* challenge you. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. The Weeknd seems to aim for that difficult balance. It’s not always easy to watch. Not bad at all, but certainly challenging.
How to Connect More with His Work
If you want to understand The Weeknd’s art better, dive deeper. Here are some simple steps to really get into it:
First, listen carefully to his music. Pay attention to the words. Think about the feelings he describes. See how they connect to life today. It’s a journey of discovery.
Second, look into who he works with. Check out people like Sam Levinson. Knowing their other work helps you understand his projects more. It adds a lot to the experience.
Next, join the discussions about his art. Talk online or with friends. Sharing your thoughts can bring up new ideas. It creates a sense of community around his work.
When you watch something like *The Idol*, watch actively. Think about how it shows things about society. What does the story tell us about fame? What does it say about identity?
Finally, stay updated on what he’s doing. Watch for new projects. Look for interviews he gives. He often shares insights that explain his art. It’s a good way to keep learning.
Wrapping Things Up
The Weeknd’s choices in film and TV show his dedication to his art. He’s willing to explore tough topics. He teams up with other creative people who understand him. He also stays connected to today’s culture. This all helps him create work that touches us in many ways. I am happy to see him continue to grow. He keeps pushing what storytelling can be. Whether it’s in music or visuals, he finds new ways. As fans, we’re really lucky to witness this journey. We get to connect with the amazing stories he brings to life. It’s quite the sight to see.
