‘The Idol’ Producers: Not for Everyone’s Taste

In May, director Sam Levinson walked into the Lumière Theater at the Cannes Film Festival with his stars Abel Tesfaye (also known as The Weeknd) and Lily-Rose Depp for the premiere of the first two episodes of their show ‘The Idol.’ They were greeted with a standing ovation from a crowd amped-up on celebrity energy. However, critics would soon tear the show apart, with reviews calling it ‘regressive,’ ‘sexist,’ ‘creepy,’ and a ‘tragic disaster.’

‘The Idol’ is about Jocelyn (Depp), a chart-topping pop star who is preparing for a comeback after experiencing a nervous breakdown. Surrounded by a group of handlers, she has already made a great deal of money for the people on her team, which includes Hank Azaria, Troye Sivan, Jane Adams, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and horror film impresario Eli Roth. One evening, while at a Los Angeles dance club, she meets Tedros (Tesfaye), a smooth-talking man with a rattail. After dancing with him, she invites him back to her mansion for a night of passion and mystery ensues.

‘The Idol’ was created by Levinson, Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim. It was highly anticipated before it even premiered at Cannes, but controversy soon followed. In April 2022, it was reported that its original director, Amy Seimetz, had left the show in the middle of its production. Three months later, a teaser was released that called Levinson and Tesfaye ‘the sick and twisted minds’ behind ‘the sleaziest love story in all of Hollywood.’ In March 2023, ‘Rolling Stone’ published a harsh critique of the show, with one reviewer calling it a ‘rape fantasy.’ The teaser has since been removed from HBO’s YouTube channel.

Despite the negative press, Levinson, Tesfaye, and other collaborators have continued to defend the show and its creators. Hank Azaria, one of the show’s cast members, praised the creative process at a press conference after the Cannes premiere. “I’ve been on many, many a dysfunctional set, believe me,” he said. “This was the exact opposite.”