NEED TO KNOW
The Weeknd has made a massive donation.
On Thursday, Nov. 13, the R&B superstar (whose real name is Abel Tesfaye) announced that he will be donating $350,000 from his XO Humanitarian Fund in support of the World Food Programme’s (WFP) emergency response in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, per a press release.
The donation to affected families in Jamaica “will support WFP as it scales up operations to reach up to 200,000 Jamaicans as they recover from the disaster,” according to the release.
Since Hurricane Melissa hit at the end of October, nearly six million people across the Caribbean islands have been affected, with Jamaica experiencing the “brunt” of damage by the category 5 storm.
“We are grateful to The Weeknd for his generous support for WFP’s urgent relief efforts. His compassion will provide much needed comfort and resilience to Jamaicans as they navigate this crisis,” Barron Segar, World Food Program USA President and CEO, said in a statement.
He added: “When it comes to humanitarian disasters, WFP is among the world’s first responders. But our work is only possible through the generosity of our private sector donors and global partners.”
Hurricane Melissa was the most powerful tropical cyclone so far in 2025.
Category 5 is the highest category on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, where major hurricanes have winds reaching at least 157mph.
Prince Williams/WireImage
On July 26, The Weeknd, 35, was honored in his hometown of Toronto.
The “Cry for Me” performer — who was raised in the suburb of Scarborough — received the Key to the City and was honored with “The Weeknd Weekend” by the City of Toronto.
Per a release, The Weeknd, who was slated to play a handful of upcoming shows in Toronto, received the honors at a private ceremony attended by the Mayor of Toronto, Olivia Chow, youth from the Boys & Girls Club of West Scarborough and students from the singer’s alma mater, Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute.
In a statement, Chow said, “Born in Toronto, Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye represents the best of our city. From Scarborough to the global stage, he has reshaped modern R&B music as a multi-platinum, Diamond-certified artist while using his platform to create a lasting impact for Toronto and around the world.”
The Weeknd planned to revitalize the basketball court and build a mobile recording studio for the Boys & Girls Club, in an effort to bring dedicated dance and arts studio and a sensory room for students with development disabilities to the Birchmount Park Collegiate Institute and more.
In a statement, the “Open Hearts” artist said he was “deeply honored” 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,” said The Weeknd, who’s donated more than $10 million to humanitarian causes since 2020.
People can join in supporting WFP’s hurricane response by donating here.
