The Weeknd Expresses Gratitude to Tom Cruise for Career Milestone
The Weeknd has publicly acknowledged Tom Cruise’s unexpected influence on his rise to fame, particularly how Cruise’s lip-sync performance facilitated a significant milestone in the artist’s career.
A Memorable Performance
In 2015, the acclaimed actor known for the Mission: Impossible franchise participated in a lively lip-sync battle on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. During this segment, he chose to perform “Can’t Feel My Face,” a track from The Weeknd’s highly successful second album, Beauty Behind The Madness.
Chart-Topping Success
As a direct result of the performance, “Can’t Feel My Face” quickly soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, marking The Weeknd’s first entry at No. 1 on the chart. This surge in popularity was further fueled by Cruise’s enthusiastic endorsement, where he described The Weeknd as “enormously talented” while on the show.
Reflecting on Their Connection
During a recent visit to The Tonight Show, The Weeknd shared his thoughts on Cruise’s impact. He stated, “I definitely saw that. It actually helped the song,” highlighting the significance of the actor’s support in achieving record-breaking success. “Thanks to him, obviously. To the biggest movie star in the world.”
A Fan of Tom Cruise
Despite not having met Cruise yet, The Weeknd expressed his admiration, stating he is “a huge Tom Cruise guy.” He mentioned some of his favorite films, including The Color of Money, Vanilla Sky, Rain Man, Eyes Wide Shut, and Magnolia, showcasing a deep appreciation for Cruise’s cinematic contributions.
Returning the Favor
In a gesture of gratitude, The Weeknd expressed his desire to “return the favor”by promoting the latest installment of Mission: Impossible, which is set for release this Friday. He made it clear that while he has “nothing to do with this movie,” he was eager to showcase his support by donning a cap featuring The Final Reckoning’s logo and reading a promotional card for the film.
The Weeknd’s Impressive Discography
Since the success of “Can’t Feel My Face,” The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, has gone on to achieve even greater heights in the music industry. He has scored an additional six No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including chart-toppers like “Starboy,” “The Hills,” “Blinding Lights,” and “Save Your Tears.” Furthermore, he boasts an impressive record on Spotify, becoming the artist with the most entries in the Spotify Billions Club, with a remarkable total of 27 tracks surpassing one billion streams.