The Weeknd sets Guinness World Record as most popular musician on the planet

Abel Tesfaye — more commonly known as The Weeknd — is the most popular singer on Earth, according to new data by Guinness World Records.

“No one else even comes close,” the record-keeping organization declared Monday.

Guinness argues its case by citing the “Starboy” performer’s Spotify stats, including an unmatched 111.4 million monthly listeners. The 33-year-old Grammy winner has nearly 30 million more listeners than second-placed Miley Cyrus, which also puts him far ahead of Shakira, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift and Rihanna.

A remix of the 2016 hit “Die For You,” which he performs with Grande, hit the top of the Billboard charts earlier this month.

The Weeknd hits the road in June when his “After Hours Til Dawn” World Tour rolls into Portugal. The Toronto native then returns to North America in September with a trio of shows in Mexico.

He was watched by millions around the world in 2021 when he performed at the Super Bowl halftime show in Tampa, Fla., drawing nearly 92 million viewers in 180 countries. That gig earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

Public interest in the superstar’s personal life went through the roof last year when he sang the lyrics, “My new girl, she a movie star” on the song “Here We Go... Again.” The song was released after the singer had been seen out with movie star Angelina Jolie on more than one occasion. They have never addressed the rampant speculation that ensued.

The Weeknd was named Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations World Food Programme in October 2021. That endeavor is said to feed more than 100 million people in 80 countries each year.