The Weeknd explains full face bandages ahead of Super Bowl halftime show
The star said the look is a commentary on celebrity culture
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Weeknd is explaining himself.
The 30-year-old Canadian singer has made headlines in recent months for appearing in public with white bandages covering his face. What appeared to be bruising and scarring were also visible around his eyes when wearing the bandages.
Fans were perplexed by not only the costume choice but also by his facial alterations in the music video for his hit, "Save Your Tears," which saw his cheekbones, jawline and more be altered.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Now, ahead of his upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance, The Weeknd -- born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye in Toronto -- has revealed the meaning behind the costume, all of which was revealed to be prosthetics.
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"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 told Variety.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Weeknd has appeared at a number of events wearing white bandages and artificial scarring. (Getty Images)
Furthermore, he said the bandages were part of a story he created for a character to go along with his album, "After Hours."
As he would appear at events with more bandages and drastic visual changes, the looks were meant to display "a progression and we watch The Character’s storyline hit heightened levels of danger and absurdity as his tale goes on."
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It's no secret that in the "Save Your Tears" video, The Weeknd's character is looking rather odd -- unattractive even.
"I suppose you could take that being attractive isn’t important to me but a compelling narrative is," he explained.
The Weeknd, who will entertain the audience at halftime during the Super Bowl, explained that the bandages were a commentary on celebrity culture. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
As for why he sometimes appears in character and other times not, the musician had a relatively simple answer.
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"Why not play with the character and the artist and let those lines blur and move around?" he said.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}However, it seems that the lines may even be blurred for The Weeknd himself, as he said he'd "have to ask" the character whether he was appearing as said character during the interview.