Canadian superstar The Weeknd has received one of his hometown’s highest honors — the key to the city of Toronto — in a heartfelt ceremony led by Mayor Olivia Chow at the Rogers Centre on Saturday, July 26.
The 35-year-old hitmaker, born Abel Tesfaye, expressed his gratitude during the event, saying:
“I’m deeply honoured to receive the key to the city. It feels good to be home. Toronto is where I found my voice, and I’m committed to helping the next generation find theirs.”
In a touching gesture of giving back, The Weeknd also announced his continued support for local youth, including donations to the Boys and Girls Club of West Scarborough and his alma mater, Birchmount Park Collegiate. His aim: to empower Toronto’s youth to unlock their own potential — just like he did.
Mayor Olivia Chow praised the Grammy-winning artist for not only dominating the global music scene but also for using his fame to support humanitarian and health causes worldwide.
“Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye represents the best of our city,” Chow said. “From Scarborough to the global stage, he has reshaped modern music while giving back to his community and beyond.”
The Weeknd’s journey from a struggling teen in Toronto to an international icon is the stuff of legend. He once recalled how, at 17 and homeless, he would spend hours browsing indie films at Queen Video, a local rental store.
“I’d just walk in there and pretend I was going to rent something,” he shared in a 2023 interview. “The reality was I was just trying to learn about filmmakers and one-ups.”
From quietly studying filmmakers in the shadows to shining on the world stage — Abel Tesfaye’s return to Toronto is more than symbolic. It’s full-circle. And now, with the key to the city in hand, the door to his legacy is wide open.
