The whirlwind 10-month romance between pop superstar Selena Gomez and R&B icon The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) remains one of the most intriguing—and musically significant—celebrity pairings of the last decade. Their relationship, which dominated headlines in 2017, was a brief but intense chapter that left a lasting impact, inspiring some of the most raw and emotional music from both artists.
As of late 2025, both Selena Gomez and Abel Tesfaye have moved on dramatically, with major, recent life changes that underscore just how much time has passed since their high-profile split. This article delves into the full timeline of their romance, the musical fallout, and where the two global icons stand today, years later.
The Weeknd and Selena Gomez: Full Profile & Biography (2025 Update)
To understand the magnitude of their pairing, it’s essential to look at the careers of Abel Tesfaye and Selena Gomez, two artists who have successfully navigated the transition from pop culture sensations to industry powerhouses. Their personal and professional lives have continued to evolve with major milestones in 2025.
Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (The Weeknd)
- Born: February 16, 1990 (Age 35)
- Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Known For: Genre-bending R&B, dark lyrical themes, and cinematic music videos.
- Major Albums: Beauty Behind the Madness, Starboy, After Hours, Dawn FM.
- Key Projects: Co-creator and star of the controversial HBO series The Idol.
- 2025 Update: Abel Tesfaye released his sixth studio album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, in January 2025, which he has indicated will be his final project under his stage name, The Weeknd, marking a major career shift.
Selena Marie Gomez
- Born: July 22, 1992 (Age 33)
- Birthplace: Grand Prairie, Texas, U.S.
- Known For: Disney Channel stardom (Wizards of Waverly Place), acting, singing, and her business ventures.
- Major Albums: Stars Dance, Revival, Rare.
- Key Projects: Star and executive producer of the critically acclaimed Hulu series Only Murders in the Building, and the documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me.
- 2025 Update: Reports indicate that Selena Gomez married music producer and songwriter Benny Blanco in 2025, a significant, recent development in her personal life.
The 10-Month Whirlwind: A Timeline of the 'Selena and Abel' Romance
The relationship between Selena Gomez and The Weeknd began quietly but quickly escalated into a global media frenzy. It was a union of two of the biggest names in music, following their respective high-profile splits from Bella Hadid and Justin Bieber.
January 2017: The Paparazzi Kiss
The first public sign of their romance came when they were photographed kissing outside a restaurant in Santa Monica. This instantly set the internet ablaze, especially given The Weeknd’s recent breakup with model Bella Hadid, and Selena’s long history with Justin Bieber (Jelena).
April 2017: Red Carpet Debut
The couple made their official red carpet debut at the Met Gala. They were inseparable on the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, looking deeply in love and confirming their status as one of Hollywood’s new power couples. This was a major step, cementing the relationship in the public eye.
Summer 2017: Global Jet-Setters
Their relationship was characterized by lavish, international travel. They were seen on romantic trips to Italy, Paris, and on tour with Abel. Selena even accompanied him on parts of his Starboy: Legend of the Fall Tour, showing public support for his busy career.
The Health Crisis and Support
During their relationship, Selena underwent a life-saving kidney transplant due to complications from Lupus. Abel was noted as being a supportive presence during this difficult time. Sources later revealed that he was even willing to donate his own kidney, a detail that would later become a key lyric in his music.
October 2017: The Sudden Split
After 10 months, the couple reportedly split. The primary reason cited by sources was the difficulty of maintaining a long-distance relationship due to their intensely busy, conflicting schedules. Abel was on tour, and Selena was filming in New York. The news was quickly followed by photos of Selena reuniting with her on-again, off-again ex, Justin Bieber, leading to massive speculation about the real reason for the breakup.
The Musical Aftermath: Songs Written About the Romance
While their relationship was brief, its impact on their music was profound. Both artists released songs that are widely believed to be direct references to their time together, creating a musical dialogue that fans obsessively analyzed for years.
The Weeknd’s Heartbreak EP: My Dear Melancholy, (2018)
Just five months after the breakup, The Weeknd released the surprise EP My Dear Melancholy,. The entire project is seen as a heartbroken reflection on his relationship with Selena Gomez, contrasting the intense romance with the pain of the split.
- "Call Out My Name": This is the most direct reference. The line, "I almost cut out a piece of myself for your life," is widely interpreted as a reference to his willingness to donate a kidney to her during her health crisis. The song expresses deep pain over the quick rebound, with the lyric, "Guess I was just a pit stop 'til you made up your mind."
- "Wasted Times": This track hints at the regret of being distracted by another love (Selena) while potentially losing his previous love (Bella Hadid), showing the complexity of his emotional state at the time.
Selena Gomez’s Subtle Reflections
Selena’s musical references are generally more subtle, but fans have long speculated on specific tracks that allude to Abel Tesfaye.
- "Bad Liar" (2017): Released while they were dating, this song’s lyrics about trying to hide burgeoning feelings were immediately linked to her new, high-profile romance with Abel.
- "Single Soon" (2023): The release of this song sparked immediate speculation that it was a playful jab at The Weeknd. However, Selena quickly shut down the rumors, stating that she was proud of the "true friendship" that remains between them, emphasizing a mature and amicable separation.
Where Are They Now? Selena Gomez and The Weeknd in 2025
The biggest testament to the passage of time is the current, separate trajectories of the two stars. Both Selena and Abel have achieved massive success and have settled into new, stable personal lives, far removed from the drama of 2017.
Selena Gomez: Marriage and Hollywood Power
In 2025, Selena Gomez is a powerhouse in both music and television. Her role as Mabel Mora in Only Murders in the Building has earned her critical acclaim and solidified her standing as a serious actress. More significantly, her reported marriage to music producer Benny Blanco marks a new, committed chapter in her personal life, moving past the intense scrutiny of her previous celebrity relationships.
Her focus on mental health advocacy, documented in My Mind & Me, showcases a maturity and commitment to issues beyond her career, highlighting her evolution since the 2017 health crisis that occurred during her time with The Weeknd.
Abel Tesfaye: Final Chapter and Cinematic Ambitions
For Abel Tesfaye, 2025 is defined by a major career transition. The release of Hurry Up Tomorrow signifies the planned end of The Weeknd persona, allowing him to focus on his birth name, Abel Tesfaye, and his burgeoning acting and producing career.
His work on The Idol, while controversial, demonstrates his ambition to move into cinematic storytelling and complex narrative creation. While he continues to date, his public life is now centered on his artistic evolution and the finality of his iconic stage name.
The romance between Selena Gomez and The Weeknd may have been fleeting, but it was a moment that perfectly captured the intersection of celebrity, music, and public spectacle. While they have both moved on to new, significant chapters—Selena with her marriage to Benny Blanco and Abel with the retirement of The Weeknd persona—the music they inspired will forever keep the memory of their 10-month romance alive.
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