Abel Tesfaye, popularly known as The Weeknd, co-created the HBO series “The Idol” with Reza Fahim and Sam Levinson. The show premiered on June 4 and received a negative reception from viewers. However, Tesfaye claimed that he “very much expected” the backlash from the audience. In an interview with Variety, he said that they were playing with genres and doing exactly what they wanted to do with the show. The Grammy winner stars opposite Lily-Rose Depp in the controversial drama about troubled pop star Jocelyn who gets involved with Tedros, a shady nightclub owner. Tesfaye explained that one of his goals for the series was to give people a different perspective on fame.
Challenging societal norms and expectations
The Weeknd aims to educate viewers about the consequences of fame through his series. He believes that being famous comes with a price, and it is essential to understand what it entails. The show highlights how famous people are always surrounded by individuals with unclear intentions, and it is difficult to trust anyone. The singer emphasizes that he has been fortunate to have people around him that he has known almost his entire life, which is essential and a gift. Tesfaye and his co-creators are challenging societal norms and expectations through their show. The Idol showcases the harsh reality of the entertainment industry, which is often sugar-coated and glamorized in the media.
Defending controversial scenes and nudity
The Idol has been criticized for its excessive nudity and graphic sex scenes. However, Tesfaye defends the show’s explicit content, stating that they are necessary to portray the harsh reality of the entertainment industry. The singer recently defended a “gluttonous” scene between Jocelyn and Tedros in the second episode, which left viewers disgusted. He explained that the scene was not meant to be sexy, and the viewers’ discomfort and disgust were necessary to show that Tedros was in over his head. The Weeknd believes that the audience’s emotional response to the scene adds up to the show’s storyline and highlights the characters’ situation.
The Weeknd and his co-creators are challenging societal norms and expectations with their HBO series “The Idol.” The show portrays the harsh reality of the entertainment industry and educates viewers about the consequences of fame. Although the show has received a negative reception from some viewers, The Weeknd and his team stand by their project and believe that it will be an eye-opener for many. “The Idol” airs on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.
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