5 Shocking Ways Selena Gomez And The Weeknd's 10-Month Romance Changed Pop Culture Forever
The relationship between Selena Gomez and Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, was a whirlwind romance that captivated the internet in 2017. While it only lasted ten months, the high-profile coupling—dubbed 'Abelena' by fans—left an indelible mark on both artists' careers, particularly The Weeknd's discography. Even in late 2025, the shadow of their brief but intense time together continues to influence fan speculation, musical analysis, and the ongoing narrative of two of pop culture's biggest stars.
This deep dive explores the timeline of their unexpected pairing, the dramatic circumstances of their split, and the compelling evidence that their romance became the creative fuel for some of The Weeknd's most successful and emotionally raw music, proving that sometimes, the shortest relationships have the longest legacies.
The Comprehensive Profiles: Selena Gomez and The Weeknd
To fully appreciate the cultural impact of their relationship, it is essential to understand the individual star power each brought to the pairing. Their combined fame created a media frenzy from the moment they were first spotted together.
Selena Marie Gomez: Actress, Singer, and Entrepreneur
- Full Name: Selena Marie Gomez
- Born: July 22, 1992, in Grand Prairie, Texas.
- Career Highlights: Rose to fame as a child star on the Disney Channel's *Wizards of Waverly Place*. She has since become a Grammy-nominated singer with hits like "Lose You to Love Me" and an acclaimed actress in the Hulu series *Only Murders in the Building*. She is also the founder of the successful cosmetic brand, Rare Beauty.
- Dating Context: Her relationship with The Weeknd followed a long, on-again, off-again saga with fellow pop star Justin Bieber.
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye: The Weeknd, The R&B Innovator
- Full Name: Abel Makkonen Tesfaye
- Born: February 16, 1990, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Career Highlights: A Canadian singer, songwriter, and producer, The Weeknd is known for his dark R&B and synth-pop sound, blending genres to create global hits like "Blinding Lights" and "Starboy." He has won multiple Grammy Awards and holds numerous streaming records.
- Dating Context: He had recently split from supermodel Bella Hadid when he began dating Selena Gomez in late 2016.
The 10-Month Whirlwind: From Florence to the Breakup
The first public sighting of Selena Gomez and The Weeknd occurred in January 2017, when they were photographed kissing outside a restaurant in Santa Monica. The news immediately went viral, largely due to the overlapping timelines with his previous relationship with Bella Hadid, who is also friends with some of Selena’s close associates, including Taylor Swift.
The couple quickly became one of the most photographed pairs in the industry. Their romance spanned the globe, with high-profile trips to romantic European cities like Florence, Italy, and Paris, France, where they made their red-carpet debut at the Met Gala in May 2017. The Weeknd was noted for his public displays of affection, a stark contrast to his typically private persona.
The relationship was not without its intense moments. In the summer of 2017, Gomez underwent a life-saving kidney transplant due to complications from Lupus. The Weeknd reportedly adjusted his tour schedule to be with her during her recovery, a profound gesture of commitment at the time.
However, by October 2017, the relationship had quietly ended. Sources at the time cited the difficulty of coordinating their demanding schedules as the primary reason for the amicable split. Just days after the news broke, Gomez was photographed spending time with her ex-boyfriend, Justin Bieber, leading to a brief but highly scrutinized reconciliation, which further amplified the drama surrounding the split.
The Weeknd's 'My Dear Melancholy,' EP: A Musical Confessional
The most lasting and dramatic legacy of the 'Abelena' relationship is undoubtedly the music it inspired. In March 2018, just five months after the breakup, The Weeknd unexpectedly released the six-track EP, *My Dear Melancholy,*. The entire project was widely interpreted as a direct, sorrowful reflection on his relationship with Selena Gomez and his subsequent return to Bella Hadid.
The EP’s lead single, "Call Out My Name," remains the most explicit reference. The opening lines immediately set the tone of heartbreak and sacrifice: "We found each other / I helped you out of a broken place / You gave me comfort / But falling for you was my mistake."
The Controversial "Kidney" Lyric That Shocked Fans
The song "Privilege" contained a lyric that caused the most intense fan speculation and media coverage: "I almost cut a piece of myself for your life." This line was instantly linked to Selena Gomez's kidney transplant. While the lyric is vague, the timing and context led many to believe The Weeknd was alluding to having considered donating his kidney to her. Gomez later had strong words about the theory, but the lyric cemented the relationship's place in music lore.
The EP was a masterclass in using personal drama for artistic output, focusing on themes of regret, self-pity, and the pain of being a "pitstop" in someone else's journey.
The Lasting Echoes: From Scrapped Songs to Current Love Lives
Years after the split, the relationship continues to surface in unexpected ways. The subsequent musical releases from The Weeknd have all been scrutinized for subtle references, demonstrating the enduring topical authority of their past romance.
The 'After Hours' Album Speculation
When The Weeknd released his critically acclaimed 2020 album, *After Hours*, fans and critics again searched for 'Abelena' clues. The track "Save Your Tears" was theorized to contain subtle nods to both Selena Gomez and Bella Hadid, suggesting the emotional fallout from his past relationships continued to fuel his creative process.
The Mystery of 'Like Selena'
Perhaps the most intriguing piece of recent information is the mystery surrounding a rumored song titled "Like Selena." At one point, The Weeknd had registered a song with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) under that title. The title alone sent the internet into a frenzy, speculating on whether it was a tribute or a diss track. However, the song was later reportedly scrapped and never released, leaving fans to endlessly wonder what musical truths it contained.
Their Current, Separate Paths
As of late 2025, both stars are firmly focused on their individual careers and new relationships. Selena Gomez, who has been open about her struggles with health and mental wellness, is thriving with Rare Beauty and her acting career. She is currently linked to music producer Benny Blanco, a relationship she has passionately confirmed on social media. The Weeknd, meanwhile, has been reportedly dating DJ Simi Khadra since 2022, continuing his journey as a global music phenomenon and now venturing into film and television projects.
While the brief, intense chapter of Selena Gomez and The Weeknd is long over, its impact is a testament to the power of celebrity romance in the digital age. The relationship didn't just end; it became a platinum-selling breakup anthem that defined a phase in The Weeknd’s career and remains a crucial entity in Selena Gomez's complex dating history.
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