The Weeknd’s New Music Video Pulled Over Seizure Triggers

The Weeknd enjoys drawing attention to himself but maybe this time he went too far. the “Blinding Lights” singer’s new single titled “Take My Breath” was supposed to be played in movie theaters ahead of the The Suicide Squad, unfortunately, the video was deemed triggering for those who suffer from ailments that can cause seizures. The literal blinding lights of the music video got it pulled from theatres across the United States participating in the promotion. According to Variety, the video used “intense strobe lighting” which is a known cause of trigger for those who suffer from seizures.

The deal was made with IMAX and it was supposed to preview the music video and get fans hyped up for the first release from the musician's fifth studio album at midnight that day. The video features the regular dark and gloomy feel of a video that fans can expect from The Weeknd except to add a bit of excitement with bright, flashing lights. The song which is still set to be released on Friday was also featured in an ad for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. It played as some of the top female athletes showed their skills. The ad he posted on Twitter featured athletes Sydney McLaughlin, Dalilah Muhammad, Athing Mu and Gabby Thomas, with a caption that read: “8.6.21 new single.”

The Weeknd will agree that he enjoys the shock value that his music videos portray but this may have been to a whole other level. In the past, the “Save Your Tears” singer has used his music videos to shock and awe his fans. He appeared soaked in blood and swollen from a shocking amount of surgery. He let fans wonder for days what was going on with him and why he would even go in public looking that way. It’s not something that many celebrities if any will do. The singer made a statement about his look and why it was important for his music videos to reflect the character of The Weeknd and not Abel Tesfaye, his real name.

“What makes any of my albums a successful album, especially this one, is me putting it out and getting excited to make the next one,” he shared about his process. In a recent interview with GQ he shared that adding different mediums to his music is always something he will experiment with. “I want to do this forever. And even if I start getting into different mediums and different types of expressions, music will be right there. I’m not going to step away from it.” That being said, not even a little problem like lights causing seizures is going to stop the singer from making out-of-the-box art.

The Weeknd’s team so far has not pulled the official release date of the music video which means it is most likely still going to be released on Friday at midnight. Just not in theatres before Suicide Squad. Despite this small misstep, tTe Weeknd is clearly excited about his latest project, he has been flooding IG with stills and art for the new release.