The Weeknd showed up to the American Music Awards (AMAs) last November with two black eyes and bandages wrapped around his head, sparking concern for the Toronto superstar. But apparently it was an elaborate stunt to highlight the short films he made for the singles “Blinding Lights” and “After Hours,” which illustrate the dangers of drunk driving.
But on Tuesday (January 5), he threw fans for a loop when he posted an Instagram photo of himself looking noticeably different, leading many to think he’d undergone some kind of plastic surgery. One person commented, “This is fucking scary,” while another said, “This better be fuccin fake because baybay I ain’t in the mood.”
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But as it turns out, The Weeknd’s stunning transformation was the handiwork of several talented artists who were hired for his “Save Your Tears” video. Needless to say, he didn’t actually get plastic surgery, he just employed some really good prosthetics.
Artist behind The Weeknd's face makeup shows the transformation process pic.twitter.com/FosyFm3YuC
— Complex Ambition (@CmplxAmbition) January 6, 2021
The dangers of drunk driving is apparently something The Weeknd is passionate about. As he explained to Esquire last year, “Blinding Lights” was about ” how you want to see someone at night, and you’re intoxicated, and you’re driving to this person and you’re just blinded by streetlights. But nothing could stop you from trying to go see that person, because you’re so lonely. I don’t want to ever promote drunk driving, but that’s what the dark undertone is.”
“Save Your Tears” comes from The Weeknd’s No. 1 Billboard 200 album After Hours which didn’t receive a single Grammy Award nomination, prompting the lauded R&B singer to call the Recording Academy “corrupt.”
The Cliqua-directed video was premiered roughly 24 hours ago and has already racked up over six million YouTube views.
Watch it below.