

Here's a perplexing update concerning exes The Weeknd and Selena Gomez. You might recall last week's news that The Weeknd, under his real name Abel Tesfaye, registered a new song with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). A pretty standard thing for an artist with new music coming out to do, yes—but the song had the very telling title, "Like Selena." Naturally, fans concluded the track would get candid about their former relationship, which ended in October 2017.
However, as Entertainment Tonight reports, it looks like the song has been scrapped, or at least won't be released in the near future. The page on the ASCAP website, which listed "Like Selena" as a track both written and performed by The Weeknd, has since been taken down. With no other information to go on, it's difficult to speculate exactly what's happening with the song—has The Weeknd had a change of heart, or was the listing just some kind of error? A mystery!
The Weeknd, of course, is no stranger to exploring his relationships in his lyrics. Fans have already connected his new singles, "Heartless" and "Blinding Lights," to his two famous exes—the former seems to refer to his split with Gomez, while on-off girlfriend Bella Hadid was likely the inspiration for the latter.
Gomez' biggest appearance in The Weeknd's music, however, came with last year's single "Call Out My Name," from the surprise album My Dear Melancholy. Lyrics like, "And when times were rough, when times were rough/I made sure I held you close to me," seemed to refer to Gomez' health difficulties, which ultimately led to a kidney transplant, as Elle reports. More specifically, the line, "I almost cut a piece of myself for your life," seemed to indicate The Weeknd almost donated his own kidney to Gomez (her close friend Francia Raisa was the eventual donor.)
It's clear revisiting his relationship with Gomez is no easy feat for The Weeknd, or at least it wasn't a year ago—while performing "Call Out My Name" at Coachella 2018, he came very close to tears. Perhaps "Like Selena" was scrapped because the feelings were just too raw?
For more stories like this, including celebrity news, beauty and fashion advice, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Marie Claire newsletter.
RELATED STORIES
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.

Emily Dixon is a British journalist who’s contributed to CNN, Teen Vogue, Time, Glamour, The Guardian, Wonderland, The Big Roundtable, Bust, and more, on everything from mental health to fashion to political activism to feminist zine collectives. She’s also a committed Beyoncé, Kacey Musgraves, and Tracee Ellis Ross fan, an enthusiastic but terrible ballet dancer, and a proud Geordie lass.
-
Julia Stiles Steals the Show With Surprise ‘Save the Last Dance’ Cameo on ‘Saturday Night Live’
This is, randomly, the second time this week Stiles has reenacted a character of hers from the early aughts time period.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Ryan Reynolds Says Gigi Hadid’s Clothing Line “Makes Damn Nice Clothes” in Supportive Instagram Post
Hadid’s response was equally as sweet.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Selena Gomez Steps Out For a Star-Studded Girls’ Night in Brooklyn Mere Hours After Confirming She’s Dating Benny Blanco
Pizza, a comedy show, and coordinating miniskirts with Taylor Swift make for a pretty solid night out.
By Rachel Burchfield
-
Pink Calls Gwen Stefani "The Coolest, Kindest" After Their Joint Concert Appearance
A mid '00s dream.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Harry Styles Stopped His Concert So a Pregnant Fan Could Go for a Pee and "Not Miss a Thing"
I'm DYING.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Miley Cyrus Heartbreakingly Admits That She Carried "Guilt and Shame" After Her 2013 Twerking Controversy
She's let those feelings go now.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Miley Cyrus' Song 'Flowers' Was Originally Going to Have VERY Different Lyrics, She Reveals in 'British Vogue' Interview
This is unexpected.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Miley Cyrus' New Song Is Packed With References to Ex Liam Hemsworth, And People Are Obsessed With Her "Queen Behavior"
Exhibit A: She released it on his birthday.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Sarah Hyland and Adam Devine Play 'How Well Do You Know Your Co-Star?'
The 'Modern Family' stars reunited for the 'Pitch Perfect' spinoff series.
By Brooke Knappenberger
-
Taylor Swift Fans Have Big Feelings About Ticketmaster Crashing Due to "Historically Unprecedented Demand"
There was heartbreak.
By Iris Goldsztajn
-
Taylor Swift Beat the *Actual* Beatles With Her New Billboard Chart Rankings
I am shaken to the very core.
By Iris Goldsztajn