The Weeknd labels himself as 'sober lite' in new 'GQ' interview

The Weeknd, who was nominated for an award at a kids' show for his hit song "Can't Feel My Face" — about a bag of drugs— has announced that he is officially leaving those in the past.

The 31-year-old singer, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, opened up about his alcohol and drug consumption in an interview with GQ.

"I like sober lite," The Weeknd announced, describing his current habits of drinking occasionally and mentioning that hard drugs are no longer part of his lifestyle.

"I’m not a heavy drinker, as much as I used to be. The romance of drinking isn’t there," he said, adding that he still smokes weed but doesn't consume any other drugs.

"Drugs were a crutch. It was me thinking that I needed it. And not doing the work to figure out how not to need it. And I’ve spent the last few years realizing that and thanking God that I don’t need it. Because for a lot of people, it’s hard to shake it. But I knew I didn’t want it," the "Blinding Lights" singer added.

One of the driving factors behind his decision to stop using drugs includes his desire to start a family one day.

"I eventually want a family. I know I say I don’t, but I know I do. I want children," he confessed.

The singer admitted that he uses The Weeknd as an escape from Abel, but we guess those lyrics about going "half on a baby" from the steamy “Hawái” remix were coming from Abel.

When he was asked why he claims to not want children, he said, "I guess I say it because I like the trajectory of my career. But also I feel like having children would influence me and inspire me more."

When it comes to his love life, the Toronto native admitted he feels guilty when he brings a lot of attention to a non-celeb by dating them. Angelina Jolie is already in the spotlight, just sayin'. 

"I do feel guilty. For sure. That’s why I don’t… I try not to do too much. I just try not to bring attention to myself. And I just love being in normal situations, man. It’s such a great feeling. To be able to just like go on a walk and not being in a f**king SUV," he admitted.

And about that Grammy snub? 

"When it happened, I had all these ideas and thoughts. I was angry and I was confused and I was sad. But now, looking back at it, I never want to know what really happened," he said. "I just don’t care. Because that will never be the reason why I do what I do. It never really was before. And I’m glad that I can make music and not have to think about that. I’ll never be in that conversation ever again."

He confirmed that he has no interest in submitting his music to the Grammys ever again.

"I will do better, but not for you. I'm just going to do better for me," he said of his music and ignoring the Recording Academy's critiques.

Recently stripping his Instagram feed to make way for the next chapter and album, Tesfaye contemplates what will make his next release successful.

“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. So the excitement to make the next project means that this one was successful to me. 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.”

Luckily for impatient fans, The Weeknd has been dropping hints on social media. He teased new music in a snippet posted on social media called "The Dawn Is Coming."

He also revealed that his new single "Take My Breath" will be released this Friday. The singer teased a snippet of the track with a promo for the U.S. women's track and field team.

In the nearly minute-long clip, Sydney McLaughlin, Athing Mu, Dalilah Muhammad and Gabby Thomas are featured along with The Weeknd's new vocals.

"These women take your breath away," the tagline reads.

Read the rest of The Weeknd's GQ profile here.

BEFORE YOU GO: The Weeknd to star in new HBO series ‘The Idol’

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