The Weeknd hangs up his red suit at 2021 Billboard Music Awards
The Weeknd has hung up his red 'After Hours' suit and declared the end of an era at the Billboard Music Awards.
The Weeknd officially retired his red suit at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards.
The 31-year-old superstar - who took home 10 prizes - stepped out at the awards show at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday (23.05.21) sporting a lengthy black coat and trousers by Bottega Veneta, complete with a white shirt and grey tie.
Although he wore a raincoat and Valentino hat for his remote BRIT Awards performance earlier this month, it marked the first time the 'Save Your Tears' hitmaker - whose real name is Abel Tesfaye - sported a different ensemble to his 'After Hours' era look to an in-person ceremony.
At the end of his acceptance speech for Top Hot 100 Artist, The Weeknd declared: “I’d like to thank God I don’t have to wear that red suit anymore."
His red suit for his fourth studio album was complete with gloves and a face bandage.
The 'Blinding Lights' hitmaker wore the costume for his Super Bowl halftime performance, the MTV Video Music Awards and the AMAs.
The Weeknd - who has also appeared with face prosthetics - explained how the bandages reflect the absurdity of celebrities, who get plastic surgery and manipulate their appearance for validation.
He said: "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.
"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 - who was snubbed by the Grammys earlier this year - was also named Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top R&B Artist and Top R&B Male Artist.
Mega-hit 'Blinding Lights' claimed the Top Hot 100 Song, Top Radio Song and Top R&B Song prizes, and his album 'After Hours' was crowned Top R&B Album.
While accepting the biggest accolade of the night, Top Artist, The Weeknd said: “I do not take this for granted. Thank you.”
