The Weeknd Becomes a Viral Meme After ‘Terrible’ Acting

When you think of The Weeknd, a few things might come to mind: Grammy-winning hits, sultry vocals, dramatic music videos, and, of course, The Idol controversy. But now, there’s something else to add to his résumé—accidental meme king.

The artist, also known as Abel Tesfaye, has unintentionally gone viral again, but this time it’s not for a chart-topping single. It’s for a line from his new acting project in “Hurry Up Tomorrow” that has TikTok users laughing, remixing, and quoting him across the app.

The Weeknd’s Line Heard Around TikTok

The now-iconic quote—“Shut up!”—was meant to be intense, emotional, and full of desperation. Delivered by The Weeknd’s character in a heated moment, the line was supposed to add to the drama. Instead, it sparked a comedy revolution on TikTok.

Clips of the moment have been repurposed, overlaid on videos of everything from rushing to finish assignments to waiting for concert ticket drops. The exaggerated tone, combined with Tesfaye’s intense delivery, has given the internet all it needed to turn a serious scene into a meme goldmine.

From Drama to Comedy: The Meme Machine in Action

It’s not the first time TikTok has taken something dead serious and flipped it into meme territory. The platform thrives on ironic humor, and The Idol’s already controversial reception gave fans plenty of material to work with. When the show first aired, critics were divided over Tesfaye’s performance. Some praised his boldness in stepping into acting, while others called it over-the-top.

But TikTok? TikTok simply turned it into a joke that won’t die.

In classic internet fashion, users have taken “Shut the f*ck up!” and run wild. It’s been edited into dramatic montages, lip-sync performances, fake movie trailers, and even fan-made musical remixes. What was once an attempt at serious storytelling is now pure, unserious entertainment—and people can’t get enough.

The Weeknd Reacts (Sort Of)

While The Weeknd hasn’t directly commented on the meme frenzy, he’s no stranger to online attention. His past music videos, interviews, and even red carpet looks have frequently gone viral. Given his creative control over The Idol, it’s unclear whether he finds the memeification of his dramatic scene funny or frustrating, but fans are certainly entertained either way.

Besides, there’s a kind of poetic justice in it: pop culture’s most mysterious and brooding artist accidentally giving us one of the funniest lines of the year.

What’s Next?

As with most memes, “Hurry up, tomorrow!” probably has a limited shelf life until TikTok finds its next victim. But for now, it’s a reminder of how unpredictable fame can be in the age of the internet. One moment you’re trying to deliver a serious line in a dramatic scene, and the next, you’re the star of someone’s “me running to Starbucks before they stop serving breakfast” meme.

So, hurry up, tomorrow. The internet’s waiting—with memes in hand.

You might also want to read: How Did Selena Gomez React to Her AI Singing to The Weeknd?