5 Shocking Revelations Selena Gomez Has Made About Her Relationship With The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye)
The relationship between Selena Gomez and The Weeknd, born Abel Tesfaye, was one of the most high-profile and unexpected celebrity pairings of the late 2010s, a whirlwind romance that lasted just ten months but left an indelible mark on pop culture. As of this current date, December 23, 2025, the interest in their short-lived romance remains high, especially as both artists have moved into new, serious phases of their lives, prompting fans to look back with a fresh perspective.
While the pair split amicably years ago, recent comments from Gomez about her "past relationships" have cast a new light on that intense period, suggesting a level of emotional immaturity she now acknowledges. This deep dive explores the full timeline, the surprising reason for their split, The Weeknd's raw musical response, and what Selena has most recently said about her former flames.
The Full Profile: Selena Gomez & The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) Biography
The story of "Abelena" involves two global superstars with vastly different career trajectories, yet a shared experience of intense public scrutiny.
Selena Gomez
- Full Name: Selena Marie Gomez
- Born: July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Texas, United States
- Known For: Actress (Disney Channel's *Wizards of Waverly Place*, *Only Murders in the Building*), Grammy-nominated musician, producer, and founder of Rare Beauty
- Key Entities: Rare Beauty, Disney Channel, Alex Russo, Justin Bieber, Benny Blanco.
The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye)
- Full Name: Abel Makkonen Tesfaye
- Born: February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Known For: Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, actor, and producer, celebrated for his unique R&B and pop blend
- Key Entities: XO, Starboy, *My Dear Melancholy*, Bella Hadid, *The Idol*.
1. The 10-Month Whirlwind: A Timeline of the 'Jelena' Intermission
The relationship between Gomez and Tesfaye began in a blaze of paparazzi flashes in January 2017. The two were first spotted kissing outside an Italian restaurant in Santa Monica, just two months after The Weeknd had ended his on-again, off-again relationship with model Bella Hadid.
Their romance quickly became a global spectacle, replacing the long-dominant "Jelena" narrative (Selena and Justin Bieber). The couple traveled the world, making high-profile appearances at the Met Gala in New York and enjoying romantic trips to Italy and Paris.
During this period, Gomez even opened up about the relationship in a rare public admission, stating that she was happy because she had a "best friend" in Abel. This emphasis on friendship and mutual support was a key theme in how she publicly framed the connection.
The ten-month relationship was intense, occurring during a challenging time for Gomez, who was dealing with health issues, including a kidney transplant in September 2017. Reports suggested The Weeknd was a significant source of support during this period.
2. The Shocking Breakup: Ending as 'Best Friends'
The news of their split in October 2017 sent shockwaves through the celebrity world, especially as Gomez was almost immediately seen spending time with her former boyfriend, Justin Bieber.
However, Gomez herself quickly clarified the nature of the breakup, insisting it was amicable and rooted in genuine care, not drama. In an interview with Billboard, she gave the most direct quote about the separation, which remains the definitive statement from her side:
- Gomez's Direct Quote: "We ended it as best friends, and it was genuinely about encouraging and caring [for each other]."
This statement highlighted that the split was not a result of a major falling out but rather a mutual parting of ways, largely due to their conflicting schedules and the demands of their respective careers. The Weeknd's massive 'Starboy: Legend of the Fall' tour was a major factor in the distance that grew between them, making it difficult to maintain the relationship.
3. The Weeknd's Cathartic Musical Response: *My Dear Melancholy*
While Selena Gomez’s public comments emphasized friendship, The Weeknd’s artistic response was far more raw and emotionally exposed. In March 2018, just five months after the breakup, he unexpectedly released the EP *My Dear Melancholy,* which was immediately interpreted by fans and critics as a direct, cathartic response to his split from Gomez.
The EP’s lead track, "Call Out My Name," contains lyrics widely believed to reference the intensity of his feelings for Gomez and the circumstances of their relationship. The lines are some of the most telling insights into his perspective on the romance:
- *“I said I didn't feel nothing, baby, but I lied / I almost cut a piece of myself for your life.”*
This line, in particular, was seen as a direct reference to Gomez's kidney transplant, suggesting The Weeknd was prepared to go to extreme lengths for her well-being. He later described the process of writing the songs as a necessary emotional release, stating the music was "cathartic" and "all I had to say on this situation".
4. Selena's 2024 Retrospective: Admitting Immaturity in 'Past Relationships'
The most recent and compelling insight into how Selena Gomez views this period of her life—which includes both The Weeknd and her on-off relationship with Justin Bieber—comes from her interviews in 2024. Now in a stable, long-term relationship and recently engaged to producer Benny Blanco, Gomez has reflected on her past with a new maturity.
In a joint interview with Blanco on the 'On Purpose with Jay Shetty' podcast in 2024, Gomez made a rare, sweeping comment about her former romances, admitting to a lack of emotional development at the time:
- On Being 'Reactive': Gomez admitted that she was "guilty" of being "very reactive" and "not emotionally mature" in her "past relationships".
This retrospective honesty, while not naming Abel Tesfaye directly, frames her entire dating history before Blanco as a learning curve. Her current perspective suggests that the intensity and public nature of her relationships with both The Weeknd and Bieber were complicated by her own emotional development at the time. The focus is now on personal growth and self-awareness, rather than the drama of the split.
5. The Enduring Legacy: Respect and Musical Inspiration
Despite the brevity of their relationship, the impact of "Abelena" is undeniable, mainly through the music it inspired. The Weeknd’s *My Dear Melancholy* remains a fan favorite for its raw, emotional honesty, directly linking the pain of the breakup to his art.
For Selena Gomez, the relationship marked a period of public independence and personal growth following years of being primarily linked to Justin Bieber. Her consistent message of having ended the romance with respect and friendship has ensured that, unlike some of her other splits, the narrative surrounding The Weeknd is one of mutual care and encouragement.
Today, with Selena Gomez focused on her engagement and career, and The Weeknd continuing his reign as a global music phenomenon, their 10-month romance serves as a powerful reminder of how even the shortest celebrity relationships can lead to profound personal and artistic transformation.
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