The Weeknd Reveals His Relationship With Drugs And How He Copes With ‘Loneliness’
Ahead of his highly-anticipated fourth studio album, After Hours, The Weeknd has been making his promotional rounds.
Most recently, the Toronto-born crooner was the cover star of CR Men’s Issue 10. In an accompanying interview, the notoriously private R&B singer opened up about what he’s been up to since he dropped My Dear Melancholy in 2018, which was punctuated by reports that he and supermodel Bella Hadid were no longer an item. Speaking to CR Men, The Weeknd discussed crafting After Hours, which he described as a “great introduction to the next chapter of [his] life,” and spoke on some of the inspiration behind his past music.
At one point, the conversation veered toward his relationship with drugs, a topic that the XO honcho has been candid about in the past. Previously, he told the Guardian that drugs were a “crutch” for him. “There were songs on my first record that were seven minutes long, rambling – whatever thoughts I was having when I was under the influence at the time. I can’t see myself doing that now,” he told the UK publication in 2016. “I’ll be completely honest with you. The past couple of albums, I do get back to that....You have writer’s block. And sometimes you’re like, ‘I can’t do this sober.’”
When asked if he still does drugs, the 30-year-old admits that he has an “off-and-on relationship with” drugs.
“It doesn’t consume my life but occasionally helps me open up my mind, especially when I’m creating, but when I perform I’m completely sober and try not to even drink. I’ve learned to balance thanks to touring,” he said.
Later in the interview, The Weeknd opened up how he copes with loneliness, acknowledging that he spends “most of [his] days alone now.”
“I don't like to leave my house too much,” he supplied. “It's a gift and a curse but it helps me give undivided attention to my work. I enjoy being a workaholic, I think, or I'm just addicted to it. Even when I'm not working I'm always somehow still working. It distracts from the loneliness, I guess.”
The Weeknd’s candid words comes after he dropped off the title track for his forthcoming album, “After Hours,” which is set to drop on March 20. Fans are already speculating that the single’s lyrics pertain to his former relationship with Hadid. One thing’s for certain, it’s a great time to be a fan of The Weeknd. He recently announced he will be going on tour in conjunction with his album’s release. Tickets go on presale this Tuesday, February 25.
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