The new HBO series “The Idol” is creating a lot of controversies, as the show premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and received many negative reviews from critics. Abel Tesfaye (aka The Weeknd) stars in HBO’s new drama opposite Lily Rose-Depp saying, “They just need to see the whole show”.
The Idol’s risqué aspects trigger controversy
HBO’s controversial new drama ‘The Idol‘ is creating a lot of controversies as it receives many negative reviews from critics.
The Hollywood Reporter, who had a conversation recently with Abel Tesfaye claims, “They just need to see the whole show” who stars in HBO’s new drama opposite Lily Rose-Depp.
There are many women who felt injustice they’ve done and have thought, I didn’t feel great about that,” Depp said. “But I’m comfortable performing in that way, I enjoy it. It informed the character. In the conversation around the risqué aspects, there’s the implication that it’s something being consistently imposed upon women. Obviously, that has been true a lot historically.”
The Hollywood Reporter critic Lovia Gyarkye noted in her review of the show, In a particular scene a label executive is arguing with Jocelyn’s creative director, who’s against her baring her breast for the album cover shoot: “She tells him to ‘stop cockblocking America.’ That moment announces the show’s intention and puts a metaphorical hand at incoming haters: Sex sells, and The Idol revels in that.”
The Idol stamped as not a family show
Apart from this, in an interview with The New York Times, the show was conducted at Cannes Film Festival last month. Tesfaye, Depp, and Levinson defended the series and urged people to watch openly, but noted that they never intended to make a family show.
“We always knew that we were going to make something that would be provocative and perhaps not for everyone. That was a draw for all of us,” said Depp, the daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis. “I don’t think any of us were interested in making anything that was going to be, you know, fun for the whole family.”
The Idol is an American drama television series created by Abel ‘The Weeknd‘ Tesfaye, Reza Fahim, and Sam Levinson. The series focuses on an aspiring pop idol (Lily-Rose Depp) and her complex relationship with a self-help guru and cult leader Tedros (The Weeknd).
The show basically focuses on Jocelyn an aspiring pop idol who, after having a nervous breakdown that causes her last tour to be canceled, resolves to reclaim her title as the sexiest pop star in America and begins a complex relationship with Tedros (Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye), a self-help guru and the head of a contemporary cult.
Viewers need to watch the whole show and see how the storyline plays out, as for the stereotype around race, Levinson said.
“Playing into those stereotypes in the first couple of episodes is important for the journey, arc, and emotional experience,” Levinson said. “It has a way of disorienting us because of our knowledge of who we are, and what has happened in the world. I think the audience will slowly begin to see who the true villain of the piece is.”
You can watch the trailer for The Idol below.
