During a 2022 concert at SoFi Stadium, The Weeknd, also known as Abel Tesfaye, experienced an unexpected panic attack that caused him to lose his voice. This event unfolded as he was simultaneously working on his TV series, The Idol, leading to intense stress and sleep issues. The panic attack marked a turning point for Tesfaye, who traditionally relied on performing to escape life's pressures. This experience ultimately inspired him to co-write the psychological thriller Hurry Up Tomorrow, exploring themes of identity and performance under pressure.
But for Abel Tesfaye, AKA the Weeknd, it happened for real at Los Angeles' SoFi Stadium in 2022. I ran backstage to find my vocal coach: I can't sing, it's not coming out, he says.
This was the first time I couldn't just escape. My body was like: you can't sing it away. You have to figure it out.
The loss of his voice and the aftermath inspired him to co-write a psychological thriller out this week, Hurry Up Tomorrow, directed by Trey Edward Shults.
He began experiencing sleep paralysis. The Idol's closing scenes were shot at SoFi Stadium the night before Tesfaye lost his voice, with him in character as manipulative mogul Tedros.
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