The Weeknd skips planned 2017 MTV VMAs performance

The Weeknd is remaining tight-lipped as to why he didn't perform at the 2017 Mtv Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Sunday night (27Aug17).

The Canadian singer-songwriter, real name Abel Tesfaye, was announced on 7 August (17) as one of the stars expected to appear at the show, alongside host Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Fifth Harmony and Thirty Seconds to Mars.

However, The Weeknd failed to take to the stage at the event held at The Forum in Inglewood, California. He hasn't used his social media accounts since Saturday (26Aug17), and his representative has so far refused to comment on the 27-year-old's no-show.

The Starboy hitmaker had received four nominations for his Reminder video, as well as a nod in the Artist of the Year category, but didn't collect any prizes.

The Weeknd's decision to skip the VMAs comes several days after he scrapped an appearance at an MTV Video Music Awards pre-party due to "production issues". He was also booked to headline the Werkartz bash but the Los Angeles gig was shut down before it even began, with Variety reporting that the cancellation was due to authorities discovering organizers had failed to obtain the correct permits for the event.

The Weeknd's girlfriend Selena Gomez didn't attend the VMAs either, but the star had previously explained that she wouldn't be at the ceremony due to prior commitments.

Selena, who had been nominated for Best Electronic Dance Video for her hit It Ain't Me with Kygo as well as Best Collaboration for We Don't Talk Anymore with Charlie Puth, is believed to be shooting scenes for an untitled Woody Allen film in New York.