The Weeknd’s 'plastic surgery' mystery as fans hint it's a savage swipe at ex Bella Hadid

The Weeknd appeared at an award ceremony with bandages around his face (Courtesy)

Super Bowl half-time show performer The Weeknd has continued to baffle fans with his ever-changing appearance since he was pictured with a bruised face in 2020. Just under a year later, the 30-year-old Canadian star emerged with dramatic alterations to his face for his latest music video, Save Your Tears.

From accepting awards in bandages in November 2020 to promising 'surprises' in his upcoming Super Bowl appearance, the artist has kept fans guessing about his motivation behind his look. Some fans have even suggested that The Weeknd's dramatic appearance is not only a critique of Hollywood's obsession with beauty but also a savage swipe at his ex-girlfriend Bella Hadid. But what does it actually all mean? Here we break down The Weeknd's dramatic transformation.

The artist has actually been spotted with a bloodied face - part of a costume - during several appearances, including the time on Saturday Night Live in April 2020. In August 2020, The Weeknd - real name Abel Makkonen Tesfaye - then accepted several awards at the MTV Video Music awards sporting a bruised and bloodied face, as well the same striking red jacket he had worn for SNL. While he made no mention of his appearance when on stage, it became clear that his look was a continuation of the Blinding Lights story from his After Hours album.

It remains to be seen whether he'll be in costume at the Super Bowl.

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Speaking to Esquire about the inspiration behind the song, The Weeknd said: "Blinding Lights’ [is 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.”

Just three months later, the musician took his dramatic transformation to the next level. Appearing at the American Music Awards in the same red jacket, The Weeknd this time had a full face of bandages. With many fans already on board with the concept that the bandages was all part of the story, part three left followers even more stunned. Earlier this month, the star left fans surprised when he appeared in a red blazer and a full face of prosthetics for his music video Save Your Tears.

In the clip, the artist's bizarre look included plumped up lips, as well as enhanced jaws and cheek bones and a bent nose. Of course it has since been revealed that the 'plastic surgery' certainly isn't real, and was actually created by prosthetics genius Mike Marino.

Bella Hadid and The Weeknd have reunited at the 2020 MTV VMAs – a year after they split

“This is strictly performance art,” an insider told Us Weekly earlier this month. The Weeknd is wearing prosthetics as part of the character he’s been playing since November 2019 when he launched the After Hours era.”

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While the look has been revealed to be a further addition form his After Hours storyline, the latest video didn't stop fans analysing what it all meant. The lengthy music video features Abel dancing in front of a crowd in Venetian masks before eventually pulling a gun on himself that explodes with confetti.

However, eagle-eyed viewers suggested that his latest look might actually be a swipe at his ex Bella Hadid. Set to take place later today, The Weekend's producer has teased that the entire performance is going to be one big 'surprise'.

"Surprises? Man, the whole thing is a surprise!" Jesse Collins, who is creating the halftime show with The Weeknd told ET Online.