XOTWOD_

4y

Title says it all. In 2011, I was sexually assaulted. I tried coping the best ways I knew how, which was to turn to alcohol and various substances to numb the deep sense of isolation, self-hatred, guilt, shame and depression I felt. I ended up entering a toxic and abusive relationship a year later with someone who sold d**** and treated me like s***. One of my closest friends was serving a church mission in Rome (and bc of that, we could only email, which even that was quite limited) and my other best friend lived in Missouri tho I live in CA - so while I told them, I didn't have a lot of people to support me who were in close proximity. My partner blamed me for the assault and one of my other friends told me I needed to get over it. My rapist told me I, "wasn't woman enough to handle him" and cursed me out once I confronted him about the assault. I felt alone, numb and considered ending it all to cope.

However, I then discovered the Weeknd back in 2012. I remember iTunes didn't even have his mixtapes at the time - he was still so underground. But when I listened to him, I felt less alone. I felt understood, comforted, supported and dare I say, even slightly happy. I listened to The Weeknd daily and became stronger every single day. Whereas I once questioned how I would even survive, I found myself excited again. Sure, it was just because of music, but hey, it was a start. I finally entered therapy, but it was The Weeknd who gave me that push I needed to stay alive. In 2013, I went to his Kiss Land Tour and met him and he signed all of our albums as a special thanks for buying his cd. His concert was one of the best nights of my life to this day and I felt grateful to be there as well as pumped for his future music/endeavors.

This all might sound incredibly corny to you, but I know I'm not alone in understanding that The Weeknd's music has quite literally helped to save real human lives. I think it's why so many of us are devastated over the clear racism perpetuated by The Grammys. My hope is that Abel recognizes how much he means to us and that while this is a definite blow - it doesn't define his success.

Thanks so much for reading and for your community on KTT. Some of my friends don't understand why I appreciate Abel so much, but you guys get it and you already did even before I shared this. Appreciate all of you and all of the fellow XO out there. 🖤

XOTWOD_

4y

Title says it all. In 2011, I was sexually assaulted. I tried coping the best ways I knew how, which was to turn to alcohol and various substances to numb the deep sense of isolation, self-hatred, guilt, shame and depression I felt. I ended up entering a toxic and abusive relationship a year later with someone who sold d**** and treated me like s***. One of my closest friends was serving a church mission in Rome (and bc of that, we could only email, which even that was quite limited) and my other best friend lived in Missouri tho I live in CA - so while I told them, I didn't have a lot of people to support me who were in close proximity. My partner blamed me for the assault and one of my other friends told me I needed to get over it. My rapist told me I, "wasn't woman enough to handle him" and cursed me out once I confronted him about the assault. I felt alone, numb and considered ending it all to cope.

However, I then discovered the Weeknd back in 2012. I remember iTunes didn't even have his mixtapes at the time - he was still so underground. But when I listened to him, I felt less alone. I felt understood, comforted, supported and dare I say, even slightly happy. I listened to The Weeknd daily and became stronger every single day. Whereas I once questioned how I would even survive, I found myself excited again. Sure, it was just because of music, but hey, it was a start. I finally entered therapy, but it was The Weeknd who gave me that push I needed to stay alive. In 2013, I went to his Kiss Land Tour and met him and he signed all of our albums as a special thanks for buying his cd. His concert was one of the best nights of my life to this day and I felt grateful to be there as well as pumped for his future music/endeavors.

This all might sound incredibly corny to you, but I know I'm not alone in understanding that The Weeknd's music has quite literally helped to save real human lives. I think it's why so many of us are devastated over the clear racism perpetuated by The Grammys. My hope is that Abel recognizes how much he means to us and that while this is a definite blow - it doesn't define his success.

Thanks so much for reading and for your community on KTT. Some of my friends don't understand why I appreciate Abel so much, but you guys get it and you already did even before I shared this. Appreciate all of you and all of the fellow XO out there. 🖤

XOTWOD_

4y

Title says it all. In 2011, I was sexually assaulted. I tried coping the best ways I knew how, which was to turn to alcohol and various substances to numb the deep sense of isolation, self-hatred, guilt, shame and depression I felt. I ended up entering a toxic and abusive relationship a year later with someone who sold d**** and treated me like s***. One of my closest friends was serving a church mission in Rome (and bc of that, we could only email, which even that was quite limited) and my other best friend lived in Missouri tho I live in CA - so while I told them, I didn't have a lot of people to support me who were in close proximity. My partner blamed me for the assault and one of my other friends told me I needed to get over it. My rapist told me I, "wasn't woman enough to handle him" and cursed me out once I confronted him about the assault. I felt alone, numb and considered ending it all to cope.

However, I then discovered the Weeknd back in 2012. I remember iTunes didn't even have his mixtapes at the time - he was still so underground. But when I listened to him, I felt less alone. I felt understood, comforted, supported and dare I say, even slightly happy. I listened to The Weeknd daily and became stronger every single day. Whereas I once questioned how I would even survive, I found myself excited again. Sure, it was just because of music, but hey, it was a start. I finally entered therapy, but it was The Weeknd who gave me that push I needed to stay alive. In 2013, I went to his Kiss Land Tour and met him and he signed all of our albums as a special thanks for buying his cd. His concert was one of the best nights of my life to this day and I felt grateful to be there as well as pumped for his future music/endeavors.

This all might sound incredibly corny to you, but I know I'm not alone in understanding that The Weeknd's music has quite literally helped to save real human lives. I think it's why so many of us are devastated over the clear racism perpetuated by The Grammys. My hope is that Abel recognizes how much he means to us and that while this is a definite blow - it doesn't define his success.

Thanks so much for reading and for your community on KTT. Some of my friends don't understand why I appreciate Abel so much, but you guys get it and you already did even before I shared this. Appreciate all of you and all of the fellow XO out there. 🖤

HURRY UP THOM

4y

Wow, first of all I’m amazed you’re able to come out and share this story with us, that must take some unbelievable courage to be so open about it, so good on you for being able to do that!

I’m so sorry you had your right of mind taken from you. I can only imagine what those feelings of isolation and toxicity must have felt like after all of that. I’ve dealt with my own fair share of demons along the way, but nothing as heavy as that.

However, I am with you in the sense that you are not alone with Abel practically saving my life, as well. Like you, I discovered Abel early on around the EOS days and Abel’s music has been there with me through most of my life’s hardships, and without fail through the worst of those hardships, the music was always the most consistent thing in my life.

As you said, you’re not alone! I know people who share the same sentiments as you and I, and I’m sure that list goes on. There’s something really magical about the way Abel’s music can connect with people on such a deep, emotional level, and the best part is that it’s always gonna be here as long as we’re here.

I think that calls for a bit of a celebration

HURRY UP BGFX

4y

I’m glad you were able to find comfort in Abel’s music. In the beginning with my battles with mental illness, The Weeknd’s music provided a sense of escapism for myself and I was completely connected and still am to this day. I am deeply saddened to hear you were treated that way. KTT2 & The Weeknd SXN will always be here for you. Thank you for sharing your story ❤️

XOTWOD_

4y

Wow, thanks for your beautiful words and encouragement. Just because what you experienced might not be "as heavy" doesn't mean it's not valid or that it didn't affect you. Let me say how sorry I am to hear that you've faced the hardship you've had, but agree that celebrating our community and Abel is a fantastic idea! We all need to celebrate the impact The Weeknd has had in our lives vs focusing on The Grammys' racism anyways. 🙃