The Weeknd may be known for his graphic music videos and performances featuring blood and violence, but the three-time Grammy winner says he will tone down his act during the Super Bowl halftime show.
The pop star said he will 鈥渒eep it PG鈥� during his headliner slot on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium as the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Florida. He promised to be 鈥渞espectful to the viewers.鈥�
鈥淚 will still incorporate some of the storyline. It's a very cohesive story I've been telling throughout this era and throughout this year," he said. 鈥淭he story will continue, but definitely will keep it PG for the families."
The 2021 Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show will be different this year due to the pandemic and The Weeknd said he will use different parts of the stadium as well as the field. But he would not be drawn into specifics of his show. 鈥淵ou have to watch on Sunday,鈥� he said.
When asked for his
鈥淭he show just makes me smile,鈥� said The Weeknd.
The Weeknd broke though into mainstream with his smash hit 鈥淐an鈥檛 Feel My Face鈥� that was featured on his second studio album, 鈥淏eauty Behind the Madness,鈥� which topped the Billboard 200 in 2015 and won a Grammy. He鈥檚 had three other chart-topping albums including his recent offering 鈥淎fter Hours,鈥� which was released in March.
Last year, The Weeknd鈥檚 hit single 鈥淏linding Lights鈥� became his fifth song to peak at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He鈥檚 also won Grammys for his album 鈥淪tarboy鈥� and the song 鈥淓arned It (Fifty Shades of Grey).鈥�
Roc Nation and Emmy-nominated producer Jesse Collins will serve as co-executive producers of the halftime show. The game and halftime show will air live on CBS.
The Weeknd, whose real name is, Abel Tesfaye, joins a list of celebrated musicians who have played during Super Bowl halftime shows, including Madonna, Beyonc茅, Coldplay, Katy Perry, U2, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lady Gaga, Michael Jackson and last year鈥檚 duo of Shakira and Jennifer Lopez.
Jonathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press
