The Weeknd Reveals the Meaning Behind His Full-Face Bandages

The Weeknd is finally explaining the significance of the face bandages he’s been wearing in his performances and videos.

The 30-year-old musician has featured surreal imagery related to his appearance throughout his After Hours album cycle, beginning with his “Heartless” video where he parties it up in Vegas and most recently in the shocking music video for “Save Your Tears”, where he dons prosthetics that make it look like he got facial reconstructive surgery.

He has also incorporated these elements into his performances, wearing bruised face makeup to the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards and covering his face in bandages for his 2020 American Music Awards performance.

In a new interview with Variety on Wednesday (February 3), the “Blinding Lights” singer shared the symbolic meaning behind his costume choices and the overall storyline of After Hours.

The Weeknd explained, “The significance of the entire head bandages is reflecting on the absurd culture of Hollywood celebrity and people manipulating themselves for superficial reasons to please and be validated.”

He continued, “It’s all a progression and we watch The Character’s storyline hit heightened levels of danger and absurdity as his tale goes on.”

The Weeknd will be headlining the 2021 Super Bowl halftime show on Sunday (February 7). Find out everything you need to know about his performance!