Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd.Photo: HBO
Lily-Rose Deppis anIdol.
This is the first major acting role for the “Blinding Lights” singer, who previously made a cameo in 2019’sUncut Gems.
The Idolwas first announced in June 2021, with HBO sharing that The Weeknd, 33, would co-write, executive produce and star in the project. The Canadian artistcreated the showwith his producing partner, former nightlife entrepreneur Reza Fahim, andEuphoriavisionary Sam Levinson.
Less than a year later, the release timeline was pushed back. In April 2022, HBO announced that the series, initially slated for a six-episode run, wouldreceive a total overhaul. Many crew members left, and Levinson stepped into the role of director, replacing Amy Seimetz.
“The Idol’s creative team continues to build, refine, and evolve their vision for the show and they have aligned on a new creative direction,” a spokeswoman for HBO toldDeadline. “The production will be adjusting its cast and crew accordingly to best serve this new approach to the series.”
In March 2023,Rolling Stonereported onclashes and alleged toxicity on setfollowing Seimetz’s departure, interviewing 13 unnamed members of the show’s cast and crew about the alleged drastic story changes. In a statement to PEOPLE, HBO denied the accusations, stating, “The initial approach on the show and production of the early episodes, unfortunately, did not meet HBO standards so we chose to make a change.”
Depp praised Levinson’s new direction and spoke of his collaborative nature to PEOPLE, saying, “Never have I felt more supported or respected in a creative space.” On Instagram, The Weekndalluded to the reported drama, writing, “@rollingstone did we upset you?” alongside a never-before-seen clip fromThe Idol, which poked fun at the publication.
The Idolpremiered on June 4 and PEOPLE’s review called the show’s first episode “kinky yet empty,” as Depp’s character appeared to lack substance.
In August 2023, HBO announced that the series wouldnot returnfor a second season.
From the trailer to details about the controversies, here’s everything to know about HBO’sThe Idol.
What isThe Idolabout?
The Idol.HBO
The music-industry drama follows a rising pop star (Depp) who falls into a relationship with a self-help guru and nightclub owner (The Weeknd), descending deep into his orbit, including his secret underground cult. Ithas been teasedas “the sleaziest love story in all of Hollywood.”
In her November/December 2022 cover story forElle, Depp namedMadonna,Britney SpearsandMariah Careyas reference points for Jocelyn, but her character wasn’t explicitly created with them or any other big name, paparazzi-hounded pop stars in mind.
Who is in the cast?
Eddy Chen/HBO
TheIdolstars Lily-Rose Depp as troubled pop singer Jocelyn and The Weeknd as L.A. self-help guru Tedros.
Depp toldElleshe had a standard COVID-19 pandemic audition process for the show — self-tape, Zoom and a chemistry read with the lead (The Weeknd) — and “did not think at all that this was going to go my way.”
“I’ll never forget getting that call. I still have all these pinch-me moments all the time,” she said. “I can’t believe they wanted me to do it.”
The actress sang “Fever” a capella as part of her audition, and the tape “immediately stood out” to executive producer Ashley Levinson.
“[Depp] had the kind of vulnerability and strength that was crucial for the character,” she toldW Magazine.
Is there a trailer forThe Idol?
Theofficial teaser forThe Idoldropped in April 2023.
The new trailer kicks off with Jocelyn (Depp) posing for photos in sexy red lingerie while Spears' “Gimme More” plays in the background, then brings viewers to a nightclub scene where Tedros (The Weeknd) spots Jocelyn for the first time.
After Tedros tells her she has “the best job in the world” and “should be having way more fun,” multiple shots of the pair are seen. In the clip, Jocelyn can be heard saying, “He really just unlocks something in me,” as the pair gets intimate.
Three teasers were previously released. The Weekndshared the firstduring the New Jersey stop of hisAfter Hours Til DawnTour in July 2022. Asecond, longer versioncame out the following month and declared the show as coming “from the gutters of Hollywood,” andthe last onearrived in October. All three centered around Depp and show various scenes of sultry dancing, sex, drugs and business meetings.
Who directedThe Idol?
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Despite controversies andRolling Stone’s report surrounding Levinson’s new direction, Depp defended her director. “Sam is, for so many reasons, the best director I have ever worked with,” Depp said in a statement to PEOPLE in March 2023. “Never have I felt more supported or respected in a creative space, my input and opinions more valued.”
“Working with Sam is a true collaboration in every way — it matters to him, more than anything, not only what his actors think about the work, but how we feel performing it,” she continued. “He hires people whose work he esteems and has always created an environment in which I felt seen, heard, and appreciated.”
What are the controversies surroundingThe Idol?
HBO
In April 2022, HBO shared that the series was getting completely reworked. Levinson was announced as the show’s new director amidst talks of script changes and production delays, which included the original release timeline being pushed back.
Though the series had always centered on Depp’s character,Deadlinereported that The Weeknd felt concerned the original vision was “leaning too much into a female perspective.” Levinson’s new lens moved the focus from a troubled singer involved in a predatory relationship to a love story with more nudity and sexual content.
Then in March 2023, 13 unnamed members of the show’s cast and crew opened up toRolling Stoneabout the alleged drastic story changes that occurred after Levinson replaced Seimetz as director. New scripts reportedly contained “disturbing sexual and physically violent scenes between Depp and Tesfaye’s characters.”
“It was like any rape fantasy that any toxic man would have in the show — and then the woman comes back for more because it makes her music better,” one crew member claimed of Levinson’s new scripts. A source also told the outlet that The Weeknd wanted to “tone down the cult aspect of the storyline and pivot into something entirely,” which did away with the “‘feminist lens’ through which the show was [originally] being told.”
Variety, however, reported that theRolling Stonesources hadn’t seen the final product and that there was still a “feminist perspective.”
Rolling Stonereported that about 80 percent of the show had been filmed when Seimetz left, and $54 to $75 million had already been spent, thoughVarietywas told only the pilot was reshot.Rolling Stonealso alleged that there had been production issues from the beginning, with script rewrites, delays and reshoots setting filming back. The outlet also claimed there were “near-impossible expectations from HBO.”
HBO denied the accusations. A statement to PEOPLE shared that the network has “been working hard to create one of HBO’s most exciting and provocative original programs.”
“The initial approach on the show and production of the early episodes, unfortunately, did not meet HBO standards so we chose to make a change,” the statement read. “Throughout the process, the creative team has been committed to creating a safe, collaborative, and mutually respectful working environment, and last year, the team made creative changes they felt were in the best interest of both the production and the cast and crew.”
The Weeknd alluded to the reported dramaon Instagram. He posted a never-before-seen clip fromThe Idolthat poked fun atRolling Stone, where his and Depp’s characters refer to the outlet as “irrelevant” and “past its prime.” “@rollingstone did we upset you ?” The “Save Your Tears” singer wrote alongside the video.
What else has Lily-Rose Depp said about the controversies?
Depp hasdefended the risqué scenesinThe Idol, as well the show’s challenging themes.
“I’m not interested in making anything puritanical,” she toldElle. “I’m not interested in making anything that doesn’t challenge me, or challenge other people, honestly. I think this show is fearless, and that’s something that I’ve been really excited and proud to dive into. I can’t wait for you guys to see it.”
TheVoyagersstar also assured the outlet that both The Weeknd and Levinson made her feel “incredibly safe and protected.” She considers the “Starboy” singer “a really good friend who’s had my back.”
“We’ve gone on this wild ride together,” she said of The Weeknd. “It was a first for both of us in a lot of ways.”
Where wasThe Idolfilmed?
The majority of the show was filmed in and around Los Angeles. With the decision to reshoot the series, Levinson had to get creative under a strict budget. He suggested they film part of the show at The Weeknd’s 40,000-square-foot home.
“Sitting in Abel’s house, I said, ‘It’s stunning here—you can’t buy production design like this. What if we shoot it here?’ Abel put down his drink and said, ‘Do you have insurance?’ I said yes. And he said, ‘I’m okay with it,’ " Levinson shared during aW Magazineinterview.
The Weeknd also allowed the director to shoot a scene at one of his sold-out SoFi Stadium concerts.
“I was a nervous wreck,” Depp toldWabout filming in front of The Weeknd’s 70,000 fans. “I was praying to all my guardian angels. I knew we only had two takes at SoFi. I felt like I was going to my wedding—I was so dolled up and in white!”
When didThe Idolfinish filming?
Though the original timeline was pushed back due to script changes and cast and crew departures, filming wrapped in July 2022, three months after HBO announced the project’s total revamp.
When wasThe Idolreleased?
The Idolmade its debutduring the Cannes Film Festivalin May 2023. It then premiered on HBO on June 4.
source: people.com
