CANNES, FRANCE: The highly anticipated TV show 'The Idol' created by Sam Levinson of 'Euphoria' and Abel "The Weeknd" Tesfaye, has been making waves even before its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. Described as scandalous, sexy, and sure-to-be-polarizing, this series delves into the dark side of pop music, drawing comparisons to 'Euphoria' but with its own unique twist.
However, prior to its Cannes debut, it was reported there was an alleged on-set turmoil, including a toxic work environment, last-minute script changes, and runaway budgets, according to Rolling Stones, reported Variety. Addressing these allegations at a press conference, Levinson dismissed any behind-the-scenes drama and expressed confidence in the show's success. He stated, "When my wife read me the article, I looked at her and I said, 'I think we're about to have the biggest show of the summer.'"
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Critics lambast Lily-Rose Depp starrer 'The Idol' for 'graphic' sex scenes and too much nudity
Lily-Rose Depp, Sam Levinson, and The Weeknd unveil 'The Idol'
In 'The Idol' Lily-Rose Depp portrays Jocelyn, a pop phenom who is trying to resurrect her career after a devastating loss. She encounters Tedros, played by The Weeknd, a modern-day cult leader with grand ambitions for Jocelyn's future. The Weeknd explained that he wanted to create a dark and twisted fantasy about the music industry, heightening the reality he knows. Levinson acknowledged the provocative nature of the show, saying, "We know we're making a show that is provocative. It's not lost on us." However, he criticized the article for omitting details that didn't fit its narrative and emphasized the prevalence of such biased reporting.
Depp, the show's star, also defended Levinson against the accusations, expressing her support and contradicting the negative portrayal of her experience. “It’s always a little sad and disheartening to see mean, false things said about someone you care about. It wasn’t reflective at all of my experience.” The Weeknd said earlier in the press conference that he and Levinson were aiming to “create something special, something fun, to make people laugh and piss some people off.”
'What is going on inside her head?'
Further, Levinson defended the show's use of nudity, calling it "revolutionary." He highlighted the influence of a sexualized world and the psychological impact it has on young people, particularly in the United States. Depp echoed this sentiment, referring to Jocelyn a “born and bred performer,” emphasizing that nudity is essential for understanding her character, who uses it as a form of expression both personally and professionally. “That extends to every aspect of her life, not just her professional life,” she said. “The way she dresses is trying to tell you something all the time. The occasional bareness of the character physically mirrors the bareness we get to see emotionally.”
'The Idol' also touches upon the intense scrutiny faced by young female music icons like Britney Spears, with references to media pressure and the trailer featuring her hit song 'Gimme More.' However, Levinson clarified that Jocelyn is not directly inspired by any specific pop star. “We’re not trying to tell a story about any particular pop star,” he said. “We’re looking more at how the world perceives pop stars and the pressure it puts on that individual.”
Depp reflected on the tragedy of fame, highlighting how the public often assumes they know more about celebrities than they truly do. “Something that was interesting about exploring the character is: What is going on inside her head? Someone who is so watched but not seen… What does it look like when she unravels?” As for The Weeknd's character, he described Tedros as a 'Dracula' figure luring Jocelyn into his sphere. When asked if he had ever encountered someone like Tedros in real life, The Weeknd jokingly replied, "I don't f**king think so." Levinson chimed in and said, “If you had, I don’t think you’d be here.”
