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5 Shocking Revelations From The Weeknd's First-Ever Late-Night Interview With Jimmy Fallon (May 2025)

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The Weeknd's appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on May 15, 2025, was not just another late-night booking; it was a landmark cultural moment. For an artist who has spent his career cultivating an air of mystery and letting his music speak for itself, this was a monumental shift, marking his first-ever late-night television interview. The event, which coincided with a massive surprise performance, provided fans with an unprecedented look behind the curtain of the man known as Abel Makkonen Tesfaye.

The highly-anticipated segment, which aired in the middle of this year, provided a rare opportunity to see the global superstar engage in a traditional interview setting. From revealing his surprising pre-fame job to crediting a major Hollywood star for his career breakthrough, the May 2025 chat with Jimmy Fallon delivered a wealth of fresh, personal details that immediately became viral talking points across social media and the music industry.

Abel Tesfaye: The Weeknd's Complete Biography Profile

The Weeknd, born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and actor who has redefined R&B and pop music for the 21st century. His work is characterized by dark lyrical themes, cinematic visuals, and a distinctive falsetto vocal style.

  • Full Name: Abel Makkonen Tesfaye
  • Stage Name: The Weeknd
  • Date of Birth: February 16, 1990
  • Age (as of December 20, 2025): 35
  • Place of Birth: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Nationality: Canadian
  • Parents: Makkonen and Samra Tesfaye (Ethiopian immigrants)
  • Genre: R&B, Pop, Trap, New Wave, Dream Pop
  • Years Active: 2009–present
  • Key Albums: Beauty Behind the Madness (2015), Starboy (2016), After Hours (2020), Dawn FM (2022)
  • Notable Acting Roles: Tedros in the HBO series The Idol (2023)
  • Awards: Multiple Grammy Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and an Academy Award nomination.

Tesfaye initially gained recognition for his moody, atmospheric mixtapes released anonymously in 2011, which he later compiled into the critically acclaimed Trilogy. His evolution from the mysterious underground artist to a global stadium-filling icon is one of the most compelling stories in modern music history.

The Weeknd’s First-Ever Late-Night Interview: American Apparel and Tom Cruise

The May 15, 2025, appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon was a pivotal moment for The Weeknd, as he had historically avoided the traditional late-night interview format, preferring to communicate through performances and music videos. This interview was officially touted as his "first-ever" late-night sit-down, a fact that generated significant buzz and curiosity among his fanbase and the media.

1. The Surprising Pre-Fame Job Revelation

One of the most humanizing and relatable moments of the interview came when Tesfaye discussed his life before fame. He revealed that prior to his breakout success in the music world, he worked a surprisingly normal retail job.

Tesfaye told Fallon that his last job before becoming The Weeknd was working at American Apparel. He shared an incredible detail, explaining that his former boss from the clothing store is now one of his creative directors, specifically handling the typography for his album art. This revelation highlighted his loyalty and his commitment to the creative connections he made early in his career.

2. Crediting Tom Cruise for a Career Boost

Another shocking detail from the conversation was Tesfaye's acknowledgment of a major Hollywood actor who inadvertently helped propel his early career. He credited Tom Cruise with boosting his profile.

Tesfaye explained that Cruise had appeared on The Tonight Show and mentioned The Weeknd's music. This casual mention by a global superstar on a major platform provided an unexpected and massive surge of exposure early on, a moment Tesfaye clearly never forgot.

3. The 'Baptized In Fear' and 'Open Hearts' Performance

While the interview was historic, The Weeknd's musical performance was equally fresh and unique. He took to the stage to perform a medley of two tracks: "Baptized In Fear" and "Open Hearts".

This performance was visually stunning, utilizing The Weeknd's signature cinematic style to deliver a powerful, emotionally charged segment that stood out even among his impressive catalog of live television appearances. The choice of these specific songs fueled immediate speculation about their connection to a potential new project or the final chapter of his current musical era.

The Epic Surprise: Crashing the Fordham University Graduation

The most unique and unscripted part of The Weeknd’s May 2025 New York visit was a completely unexpected collaboration with Jimmy Fallon that went far beyond the NBC studio. The duo crashed a graduation celebration for the Fordham University Class of 2025.

The late-night host and the global music star snuck into the event, shocking and delighting the graduating seniors. The impromptu performance was a once-in-a-lifetime moment for the students, who were gathered to celebrate their academic achievement.

4. The Surprise Setlist of Global Hits

Unlike his scheduled, more artistic performance on The Tonight Show, the Fordham crash was pure party energy. The Weeknd and Fallon joined forces to perform two of the biggest, most recognizable hits in his discography.

The spontaneous setlist included his mega-hit "Blinding Lights," a song that has dominated global charts and streaming platforms for years, and the fan-favorite "Can't Feel My Face". The crowd's reaction was ecstatic, with students singing along and dancing with the two stars, creating a memorable viral moment that captured the imagination of the public.

5. The Legacy of the First Interview

The May 2025 appearance cemented a new chapter in The Weeknd's career, one where Abel Tesfaye is more willing to share his personal journey and allow fans a glimpse of the man behind the persona. The interview, while reportedly cut short on the live broadcast, provided a critical turning point in his public narrative.

By discussing his humble beginnings at American Apparel and acknowledging the power of traditional media through the Tom Cruise story, Tesfaye successfully bridged the gap between his mysterious "The Weeknd" character and his identity as a relatable artist. This strategic move not only promoted his current work but also built a deeper, more personal connection with his massive global audience, ensuring that his legacy continues to evolve beyond just the music.

This appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon will be remembered not just for the incredible musical performance, but for the moment the enigmatic artist finally sat down, opened up, and gave the world a true look at Abel Tesfaye.

the weeknd jimmy fallon
the weeknd jimmy fallon

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