5 Shocking Secrets & The Musical Legacy Of The Weeknd And Selena Gomez's Romance

The whirlwind 10-month romance between musical titan The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) and pop superstar Selena Gomez remains one of the most talked-about celebrity pairings of the late 2010s, even years after their split. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, with both artists having moved on—Selena Gomez is now reportedly engaged to producer Benny Blanco, and The Weeknd is focused on his music and acting projects—the public fascination has shifted from their dating life to the enduring artistic legacy their brief time together created.

Their relationship, which began in January 2017 and ended that October, was a brief but explosive chapter in pop culture history. This article dives deep into the timeline, the reasons for the breakup, and the specific songs that cemented their relationship not just as a tabloid story, but as a source of powerful, cathartic music for both artists. This is the definitive look at the relationship that continues to echo in the charts today.

The Weeknd & Selena Gomez: Complete Biography Profiles

The coupling of an R&B enigma and a Disney-turned-pop icon brought together two vastly different career trajectories, making their short-lived romance a media sensation.

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• Full Name: Abel Makkonen Tesfaye
• Stage Name: The Weeknd
• Born: February 16, 1990 (Age 35 in 2025)
• Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
• Occupation: Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Actor
• Notable Albums: Starboy, After Hours, Dawn FM
• Current Relationship Status: Reportedly dating DJ Simi Khadra since 2022.

• Full Name: Selena Marie Gomez
• Born: July 22, 1992 (Age 32 in 2025)
• Birthplace: Grand Prairie, Texas, USA
• Occupation: Actress, Singer, Producer, Businesswoman (Rare Beauty)
• Notable Projects: Wizards of Waverly Place, Only Murders in the Building, hit songs like "Lose You to Love Me."
• Current Relationship Status: Reportedly engaged to music producer Benny Blanco as of December 2024.

The 10-Month Whirlwind: A Relationship Timeline That Rocked Pop Culture

The relationship between The Weeknd and Selena Gomez was characterized by high-profile public appearances and intense media scrutiny, especially given their respective recent dating histories with Bella Hadid and Justin Bieber.

The Unexpected Start (January 2017)

Their romance officially kicked off in January 2017 when paparazzi photos surfaced showing them kissing outside a restaurant in Santa Monica, California. This public display came just two months after The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) had split from model Bella Hadid, and shortly after Selena Gomez's on-again, off-again relationship with Justin Bieber had been on a break.

Global PDA and Public Confirmation (Spring/Summer 2017)

The couple quickly became inseparable, traveling the world together. They were spotted in Italy, Paris, and at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. They made their red-carpet debut as a couple at the Met Gala in May 2017, solidifying their status as a Hollywood power couple.

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The Breakup and the 'Jelena' Shadow (October 2017)

The romance ended abruptly in October 2017, after only 10 months. The primary reasons cited were the difficulty of maintaining a long-distance relationship due to their conflicting and demanding schedules. The Weeknd was on his *Starboy* world tour, while Selena was juggling acting, music, and her health issues, including her kidney transplant.

Immediately following the split, Selena Gomez was photographed spending time with her ex-boyfriend, Justin Bieber, which fueled intense speculation that the rekindled romance was the real reason for the breakup. While schedule conflicts were a factor, the public narrative heavily focused on the shadow of "Jelena."

The Enduring Musical Fallout: Songs Rumored to Be About Each Other

The most lasting and fascinating aspect of their relationship is the raw, emotional music it inspired. Both artists released tracks that fans and critics widely believe detail the highs and lows of their 10-month romance, creating a topical authority for their time together.

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The Weeknd's 'My Dear Melancholy,' EP (2018)

The Weeknd's 2018 EP, *My Dear Melancholy,*, is universally considered his post-Selena Gomez breakup record. The artist himself later described the songs as "cathartic" and "all I had to say on this situation."

1. "Call Out My Name" (The Weeknd's Confession)

This is the most direct and emotionally charged track. The lyrics are widely interpreted to be about Selena Gomez and the pain he experienced after the split. The most shocking and frequently debated line is: "I almost cut a piece of myself for your life," which many believe refers to him considering donating a kidney to Selena during her transplant struggle in the summer of 2017.

2. "Privilege"

The final track on the EP, "Privilege," deals with the aftermath of the breakup and moving on. Lines like, "Enjoy your privileged life, 'cause I'm not gonna hold you through the night," are seen as a direct, bitter reference to the celebrity lifestyle that may have contributed to their distance and the quick move back to her ex, Justin Bieber.

3. "Like Selena" (The Unreleased Track)

In a deep dive by fans, a song titled "Like Selena" was reportedly registered with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). While never officially released, the title alone confirms her significant influence on his creative process during that period.

Selena Gomez's Alleged Responses (2017–2020)

While Selena Gomez is generally more reserved about naming names in her music, several tracks released during and after their relationship are rumored to contain references to The Weeknd, Abel Tesfaye, and the cosmopolitan nature of their dating.

1. "Wolves" (2017)

Released while they were still dating, the song "Wolves" is often linked to the intense, fast-paced nature of their public relationship and the feeling of being pursued by the media.

2. "Bad Liar" (2017)

Some fans speculate that "Bad Liar," with its themes of intense, confusing, and all-consuming affection, was written during the early stages of her new romance with Abel.

3. "Souvenir" (2020)

Off her *Rare* album, the track "Souvenir" is heavily rumored to be a nostalgic look back at her time with The Weeknd. The lyrics, which reference a trip to New York City and a cosmopolitan, romantic setting, are often connected to their glamorous public outings in 2017. The song's tone is one of fond memory, suggesting a much softer perspective on the relationship's end than The Weeknd's "Call Out My Name."

The Lasting Impact and Current Status (2024-2025)

Years later, the relationship between The Weeknd and Selena Gomez remains a key reference point in both of their dating histories. While there is no current interaction between the two stars—Selena is publicly happy with her fiancé Benny Blanco, and The Weeknd is focused on his music and acting career in projects like *The Idol*—their brief time together has left a permanent mark on their respective discographies.

The saga serves as a powerful reminder that even the shortest celebrity relationships can inspire long-lasting art. The Weeknd's raw, vulnerable EP, *My Dear Melancholy,*, is considered a crucial artistic turning point, an emotional response to the public pressure and personal heartache of dating a global celebrity like Selena Gomez. Meanwhile, Selena's subsequent music showcased her personal growth and focus on self-love, ultimately leading her to her current state of happiness. The true legacy of their romance isn't the 10 months they spent together, but the timeless, heartbreaking songs they left behind.