lily-rose depp

Grimes Has A Lot Of Thoughts About The Weeknd’s ‘The Idol’ Getting Canceled: ‘It Had Its Flaws But I Am So Tired Of Everything Being Perfect’

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After months of doubt about whether The Weeknd’s controversial HBO series The Idol would return for a second season, it was made official yesterday (August 28): No, the show is not continuing. Grimes, a fan of The Idol, was bummed about the cancellation news, as she revealed on X (formerly Twitter).

In a series of tweets, Grimes discussed what she liked about the show, what she wanted to see from it next, and some other things she noticed. She wrote:

“Call me crazy but I rly loved the idol. I feel like they didn’t have time to finish it but it reminded me of perfect blue meets basic instinct kinda? I wish they could have another season to rly get into the Machiavellian femme fatale arc w Depp.

When I saw perfect blue my main thought was it would have been better if she was the villain. I feel like the idol was gonna go there but it felt like they didn’t have enough time to get there. The music is also p good in it honestly – I wasn’t expecting that.

I liked the over the top dialogue – it felt like an homage to a lot of things I miss, it also reminded me of anime the way Brit Marling’s the OA feels like irk anime. If u imagine it animated it rly works – tho depp is totally magnetic on screen I wouldn’t trade the casting

Nina mcneelys choreo is also just astoundingly good especially depps solo near the end of the season. Jennie did suchhh a good job w those dance sequences too- it was mimicking something more basic but actually rly elevated and gorgeous.

I wanted so much more of the red hair journalist arc. Idk, it had it flaws but I am so tired of everything being perfect. I loved the messiness and the humanity and the self indulgence. U could tell everyone was loving filming it. I ride for the idol haha idk.”

Find Grimes’ tweets below.

The Weeknd’s ‘The Idol’ HBO Show Has Been Canceled, And The Official Statement Acknowledged One Of Its Only Notable Qualities

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Eddy Chen/HBO

Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd, may be a massive star, breaking streaming statistics and Guinness World Records. Unfortunately, his musical success hasn’t yet translated into his budding television career. According to Deadline, HBO has officially canceled his original series The Idol.

A spokesperson for the network released a statement regarding the decisions, saying, “The Idol was one of HBO’s most provocative original programs, and we’re pleased by the strong audience response. After much thought and consideration, HBO, as well as the creators and producers, have decided not to move forward with a second season. We’re grateful to the creators, cast, and crew for their incredible work.”

Before the show’s release, rumors surrounding it quickly turned many fans off. The Weeknd spoke out against the criticism and even clapped back at people online who shared negative opinions on the series. But, it was all in vain, as The Idol went on to earn the lowest rating on Rotten Tomatoes for any HBO series ever.

The Weeknd later opened up about the “bumpy journey” it took to arrive at the show’s finale. The series’ other featured actors, including Blackpink’s Jennie, Troye Sivan, and Lily-Rose Depp, have not yet released any public statements.

“The Idol” Episode 5 Recap: The Finale

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The Idol starring The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp has proven to be an exceptionally polarizing show. Overall, this has been for a very good reason. There have been some truly disgusting plotlines as well as some acting chops that have left a lot to be desired. Moreover, it was announced that the first season would end one episode earlier than initially advertised. Needless to say, it has been a bit of a mess, albeit one that has proven enticing. In fact, the show can be likened to a catastrophic track wreck that you simply cannot take your eyes off. That said, the season finale aired last night, and it was a doozy.

Jocelyn & Tedros Are Done With Each Other

After having slept with her ex-boyfriend Rob in the previous episode, it was clear that her distaste for Tedros was mounting. Subsequently, in the finale, we get more of that as Joss repeatedly tries to kick Tedros out of recording sessions, to no avail. Everyone in the room seems exasperated with the man, but he maintains his presence. This is all taking place as Joss’ team decides to come to the house to discuss her tour. Unsurprisingly, Tedros sticks around despite Joss’s numerous attempts to get him to leave the premises.

Once her team arrives, they are immediately taken aback by all the odd characters standing around. It is immediately noted that the whole thing feels like a cult. From there, many artists begin performing, and Joss’ managers are amazed. However, things immediately begin to sour as Leia learns that Rob is being accused of rape by the girl he took a photo with in Episode 4. Xander is in on the whole thing and refuses to talk to Leia about it. Overall, it is a disaster, which is happening unbeknownst to Jocelyn. Although, once she does find out about it, she immediately realizes that Tedros is in on it.

Tedros Kicked Off The Idol, Or Is He?

Following this debacle, Jocelyn grabs Tedros and demands he leaves the premises. However, he threatens to kidnap her and kill her if she so much as calls the cops. She subsequently brings Chaim into all of this and tells him to pay Tedros as much as possible to get him out of their lives. This leads to Jocelyn performing her new song for her managers, who are simply blown away. They then say the tour is back on, which proves to be a huge win for her and Tedros’ artists, who will get to open for her.

As this happens, Tedros is taken by security guards take thrown into the back of a van with Chaim. Chaim cuts Tedros a $500K check to leave forever, although he refuses it. This forces Chaim into Plan B, where he goes to the Vanity Fair reporter and gets her to include Tedros’ past in her piece. Of course, she was more than excited to do this as it ultimately enhanced the story. Needless to say, this is presented as the final nail in Tedros’s coffin. However, things can’t just end that easily.

The Grand Finale

Ironically enough, the last stages of The Idol take place on stage. We jump six weeks ahead and it is revealed to us by Chaim and Nikki that she has dropped three hit singles in the span of just a month and a half. Furthermore, she has sold out a stadium tour, with her first stop at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. We get numerous shots of soundcheck where Tedros’ artists are excited about their new roles.

Moreover, we find out that bad information came out regarding Tedros. This then leads to a shot of Tedros entering the stadium premises. He goes to the box office and asks if an artist pass has been left for him. Surprisingly, there was an artist pass for him. He then makes his way to Joss’s dressing room, where Destiny meets him. She tells him from now on, he must be on his best behavior. Subsequently, Jocelyn enters the room and says she wants him around and that she loves him. They then head to her stage, and she speaks to her crowd. Shockingly, she brings Tedros up on stage, and her team is mortified, and rightfully so. However, she kisses Tedros, and once he walks off the stage, she faces the crowd and is met with thunderous cheers and applause.

Another Season Of The Idol?

From there, The Idol title card flashes on screen, and the finale comes to a close. Numerous loose ends are left for the viewer to figure out. From Rob to Dyanne, there is a lot unanswered. Although, the final scene tells us there is very little more for this show to do. If I were you, I wouldn’t expect a second season anytime soon. Let us know what you thought of The Idol, in the comments section below.

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The Weeknd Calls “The Idol” “Almost Educational” Amid Controversy

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In a recent interview with Variety, The Weeknd discussed his controversial HBO series, The Idol. He stars in The Idol alongside Lily-Rose Depp, and is a co-creator of the series. The show has received a ton of backlash for it’s frequent nudity and depictions of toxicity in characters and relationships. The Weeknd has continued to defend the project, and his recent interview is no different.

He tells Variety, “My goal was for people to feel that way when they watch it, you know, and that they’ll reassess (fame).” The artist continues, “It’s almost educational that this is what comes with being incredibly famous. You’re surrounded by people who you’re not sure what their true intentions are, even if it seems like they’re good. You just never know.” The Weeknd then goes on to compare his personal experience to Lily-Rose Depp’s character in the series, Jocelyn. “I’ve been very fortunate to have people around me that I’ve known almost my entire life,” he says, “which is important and is a gift.”

Read More: The Weeknd Reportedly “Ordered” To Film Unscripted Assault Scene For “The Idol”

The Weeknd Defends The Idol

The Weeknd Calls "The Idol" Is "Almost Educational" Amid Controversy
(L-R) Sam Levinson, Lily-Rose Depp and Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye attend “The Idol” photocall at the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 23, 2023 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Marc Piasecki/FilmMagic)

He then goes on to describe how some characters in the show work to send a message. “Nothing is worse than a yes-man,” The Weeknd explains, “especially when you have a bunch of yes-men around you. And when you see a character like Nikki, who’s not a yes-man, she might seem like a bad person, but then you kind of like her for being honest.”

The Weeknd has previously stated that the show has managed to get the reaction they were looking for. “I’m loving it,” he told GQ, “It’s definitely shaken up the culture for sure.” He continued, “We knew we were making something dark and controversial but true to what we want to say.”

Read More: Lily-Rose Depp Defends Controversial Sex Scenes In “The Idol”

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Lily-Rose Depp Defends Controversial Sex Scenes In “The Idol”

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Lily-Rose Depp has defended the “provocative” nudity in HBO’s new series, The Idol. Speaking with Vogue Australia in an interview with singer and co-star Troye Sivan, she explained that she had no interest “in making something puritanical.” Depp says that we live in a “highly sexualized world” and wanted to explore that with The Idol.

“For me, whole character and the show and her arc was really a collaboration through and through. We know that we’re making something provocative and we are not shying away from that. That’s something I knew I was setting out to do from the beginning. I was never interested in making something puritanical. It’s okay if this show isn’t for everyone and that’s fine,” she told the outlet.

Read More: The Weeknd Details Interest In Writing & Co-Producing Madonna Album After “The Idol” Soundtrack Collab

Lily-Rose Depp Poses With The Weeknd At Cannes

Lily-Rose Depp et Abel Tesfaye (The Weeknd) le 23 mai 2023 à Cannes. (Photo by Laurent KOFFEL/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

Depp added that she “never felt more respected and more safe on a set, honestly. And I think the trust that we all built with each other, you [Sivan] and I, and [creator Sam Levinson] and I, and Abel [Tesfaye] and I, that can only make for a really safe-feeling set. So when it comes to the nudity and the risqué nature of the role, that to me was really intentional. That was really important to me and something that I was excited about doing. I think we live in a highly sexualized world. I think that’s an interesting thing to explore.”

In addition to critics focusing on the sexual content of the series, another aspect that has been the target of backlash is The Weeknd’s performance as Tedros. Responding to the hate, the singer’s been going back and forth with haters on Twitter who have been criticizing the show. In addition to acting in the series, The Weeknd also has a credit as a co-creator. The fifth and final episode of The Idol will be airing on July 2.

Read More: The Weeknd Keeps Responding To “The Idol” Hate On Twitter

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“The Idol” Episode 4 Recap: “Stars Belong To The World”

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The Idol has been one of the most provocative shows released in quite some time. Overall, it is also extremely polarizing. The themes of this show are quite disturbing at times. Moreover, there seems to be no filter as it pertains to showing off these themes. Not to mention, The Weeknd’s acting has received much scrutiny. Throughout the first three episodes, fans have progressively been turned off by the show’s direction. This is especially true after it was revealed that Tedros would begin to abuse Jocelyn as a means of getting better songs out of her. In Episode 4, titled “Stars Belong To The World,” the show continues down its troubling trajectory.

Jocelyn’s Reinvention

Episode 4 begins with Mike Dean’s arrival at Jocelyn’s house. It is here where Tedros is able to attempt to deliver on his promise of some mega hits. In the last episode, Chaim made it clear that time is of the essence, and subsequently, Tedros is making an effort to deliver. However, while all this takes place, Destiny tells Chaim that she has found some information on the mysterious nightclub owner. Essentially, he has been to prison for kidnapping and torturing his ex-girlfriend. These details are provided to us as Joss continues to record a new song that speaks about her and Tedros’ relationship dynamics.

From there, Chaim asks Destiny to watch over the house over the coming days. There is a real sense that Tedros is spelling trouble for their star, and they want to grasp what’s happening. As soon as Destiny gets in the house, she becomes acquainted with Chloe, who lets it slip that she is underage. Furthermore, Destiny reveals that she is an incredible singer and even a vocal coach of sorts. This eventually leads her to give Joss some pointers on her latest song. Subsequently, we get the cringiest scene in the whole series thus far. Once again, this is another instance of us telling you to watch the show, as any description of these actions is NSFW. Amid all this, we find out that Dyanne got signed to Joss’ record label and is now being given World Class Sinner.

The Idol Becomes A Parody Of Itself

During these next few scenes, we get some truly ridiculous settings that are meant to shock the audience and really nothing else. While showering, Jocelyn’s creative director Xander begins to sing. Tedros was watching him the whole time and eventually asks why he never told anyone about his talent. We are subsequently told that Xander had a vocal chord injury and gave up singing. Tedros then convinces the young man to join Joss’ team of singers. Although due to Tedros’ suspicions that he is a liar, he forces Xander to wear a shock collar. Xander tries to escape, but Izaak and others pin Xander down. This then leads to an argument between Joss and Xander, who claims that the pop star’s mom made him sign a contract vowing never to sing again.

Of course, Jocelyn tells Tedros that Xander is lying and forces her new beau to shock her longtime friend. Eventually, Xander can’t take it anymore and says he won’t “lie” anymore. This entire passage just feels like the show becoming a parody of itself and does very little to advance the plot. The same can be said of the following scene in which Joss admits to Destiny that she knows Tedros has been to prison. However, she naively claims that it is because many women lied about him being their pimp. As you can imagine, Destiny is less than enthused by all of this.

Jocelyn Goes Public

In the last third of Episode 4 of The Idol, Tedros gets Jocelyn to go public with the abuse she faced. Joss does just that through an Instagram Live video in which she gets very emotional. However, that same night, she hosts a huge party at her mansion that eventually devolves into a complete mess. For instance, Tedros yells at Leia and embarrasses her. This finally gets Jocelyn to speak up, much to Tedros’s dismay. Things get worse for Tedros as Dyanne shows up to the party, and Jocelyn learns about her and Tedros’s history.

Jocelyn is clearly hurt by this information and texts her ex-boyfriend Rob, who is a famous actor. He shows up at the house, and Tedros confronts him with a “drink-off.” Rob wins the competition as Tedros becomes a jealous and pathetic mess. Joss then takes Rob up to her room, where they have sex. Tedros is standing outside the bedroom door, listening to it all occur. He has tears in his eyes, and it is the first time in the show that he genuinely cracks.

Finally, the episode ends with Xander and a woman trapping Rob in a compromising position. The woman asks to take a photo with Rob and makes the picture sexual against his wishes. He leaves the house, and Xander makes it clear to the woman that they will use the photo against him. Effectively making The Idol just Euphoria with grown adults.

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Lily Rose-Depp Says Nude Shoots On “The Idol” Were “Theraputic”

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The Idol has proven to be yet another immensely viral, and deeply controversial, show for HBO. The show follows recovering Jocelyn (Lily Rose-Depp) as she embarks on a torrid romance with self-help influencer and cult leader Tedros (The Weeknd). From the mind of Sam Levinson (creator of Euphoria), the show has refused to shy away from controversial material. Self-harm, revenge porn, drug use, masturbation, and sexual scenes of dubious consent all feature in the show’s first three episodes.

However, the boundary-pushing show has been problematic for many viewers. Critics have argued that the show, despite being from Jocelyn’s central viewpoint, is nothing more than a toxic male power fantasy. Furthermore, others simply take issue with the show’s poor acting and writing. Early viewing figures report that Episode 3 saw another decline, though not as sharp as the drop between Episodes 1 and 2. Despite this, it means that the show is still struggling to retain the viewers it did manage to keep hold of.

Lily Rose-Depp Loved Shooting “The Idol” Nude Scenes

Sam Levinson, Lily Rose-Depp, and The Weeknd promoting "The Idol" at Cannes
Sam Levinson, Lily-Rose Depp and Abel ‘The Weeknd’ Tesfaye le 23 mai 2023 à Cannes. (Photo by Laurent KOFFEL/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

However, Rose-Depp embraced the nude demands of the role. “It’s all me. I love doing that kind of work,” the actress told The Sun. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with enjoying that kind of work. I also think it really speaks to who the character is and who she wants to tell you that she is. She’s a performer through and through, even when she’s alone and just looking in the mirror. Every outfit and every interaction and every piece of nudity and all those things are very intentional and were really important to me.”

She continued. “Maybe this makes me, like, a little twisted. But I feel really good after doing scenes like that because there’s something that feels very therapeutic about it to me — and maybe that’s why I like doing this job. Maybe there’s something wrong with me but it feels very cathartic and I feel very drained of anything that I maybe needed to let go of. Obviously when you go that far emotionally, you have to find it within yourself, it has to come from some place real. Some place inside of you. Even if you’re performing a scene that is completely fictionalised, and you’ve never actually gone through any of that stuff, you have to find it within yourself. But I find that kind of work to be really healing, actually.”

[via]

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The Weeknd, Blackpink’s Jennie, And Lily-Rose Depp Get Racy On ‘One Of The Girls,’ A New Song From ‘The Idol’

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K-pop fans were stoked to hear that Blackpink‘s Jennie would be starring in The Weeknd’s controversial HBO series The Idol. However, they were disappointed when her role (as the character Dyanne) was relatively limited.

Luckily, they’re getting more from this collaboration. Today (June 23), The Weeknd shared the song “One Of The Girls” from the soundtrack (which is still rolling out alongside the episodes), which features Jennie, as well as Lily-Rose Depp, who plays the sleazy pop star protagonist Jocelyn. The three trade verses in the brooding, seductive song, and it has the salaciousness of the show: “Lock me up and throw away the key / He knows how to get the best out of me.”

Rumors recently spread that The Idol would not return for a second season. Many people weren’t surprised by this due to the overwhelming backlash from viewers. However, HBO posted a statement from their official PR social accounts to clear up the gossip: “It is being misreported that a decision on a second season of The Idol has been determined,” read a tweet. “It has not, and we look forward to sharing the next episode with you Sunday night.”

Listen to “One Of The Girls” above.

The Weeknd Wants “One Of The Girls” With BLACKPINK’s Jennie & Lily-Rose Depp

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No matter what you think of The Weeknd’s HBO series “The Idol,” the fact that we’re getting new music each week from Abel as a result can only be a good things. At least, that’s what one of his brand new tracks from Episode 4 proves. “One Of The Girls” features the show’s co-lead Lily-Rose Depp as well as JENNIE from South Korean superstar girl group BLACKPINK. In addition, like much of the soundtrack from “The Idol,” the track features Mike Dean handling additional production duties. Moreover, all of these elements meld together to make an ethereal, sensual, and slow-burning R&B banger.

First, on that final note of the instrumental, wailing and ’80s-inspired synthesizers take center stage on this cut. Complemented by a sharp compressed snare, additional rubbery synths, a simple hi-hat pattern, and heavy bass, it makes for a engagingly trippy and space-inspired R&B beat. Furthermore, this is exactly the kind of production that The Weeknd and Mike Dean dominate these days, and this just adds to that repertoire. Speaking of the Canadian creative, his vocal contributions to the track are as gorgeous as they usually are on any song. What’s more is that there’s strong chemistry with his co-star and with JENNIE thanks to beautiful vocal melodies.

Read More: Mike Dean Claims The Weeknd Joint Album Is On The Horizon

The Weeknd, Lily-Rose Depp & JENNIE On “One Of The Girls”

To elaborate, these two vocalists match the lustful vibe of the song with their subtle, yet intoxicating performances. The BLACKPINK alum starts us off with an intro and later a bridge, whereas Lily-Rose handles a verse and the chorus. Lyrically, it’s about as lewd and seductive as the show itself at least aims to be. Sure, it hasn’t gotten the best reception (especially on social media sites like Twitter), but you can’t deny that the conversation around “The Idol” and its soundtrack has been not just entertaining for the jokes, but also proves its wide reach. On that note, you can find the latest tracks from Episode 4 on your preferred streaming service. Also, come back to HNHH for more great music from the likes of The Weeknd, Lily-Rose Depp, JENNIE, BLACKPINK, and the rest of “The Idol” soundtrack.

Quotable Lyrics
Give me tough love
Leave me with nothin’ when I come down
My kind of love
Force me and choke me ’til I pass out

Read More: The Weeknd Goes Back & Forth With Twitter Users Over “The Idol”

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HBO Says “The Idol” Season 2 Is Not Yet Confirmed

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According to HBO, it has not yet been confirmed whether or not The Idol will be returning for a second season. Rumors that the show will be canceled after it’s first season have been circulating as of late. The network took to social media today to clear things up. “It is being misreported that a decision on a second season of The Idol has been determined,” they wrote on Twitter. “It has not, and we look forward to sharing the next episode with you Sunday night.”

Page Six recently reported that an unnamed source made claims about the series. “This was never meant to be a long-running show, it was always … a limited series,” the source reportedly claimed. “The door is definitely still open — it’s definitely not a decision [yet]. At this point, this is normal in our process … we’re only two episodes in.” They say the source also added, “It’s a Sam Levinson show, and you know what you’re getting with a Sam Levinson show.“

Read More: Episode 2 Of The Weeknd’s “The Idol” Leaves Social Media Shook With Self-Harm & NSFW Scenes

The Idol Season 2 Is Undetermined

The Weeknd’s series, co-created by Sam Levinson, has received it’s fair share of criticism since it’s pilot episode aired. Critics have called out the show for its abundant on-screen nudity and dark themes. After episode 2 of The Idol aired earlier this week, the show received mixed reviews for it’s shocking depictions of self-harm. Viewers claim that The Weeknd’s character, Tedros, “gets creepier by the minute.” Other fans can’t wait to see another episode.

The Weeknd responded to backlash for the show in a recent interview with GQ Magazine. He told the outlet, “I’m loving it. It’s definitely shaken up the culture for sure [laughs].” “We knew we were making something dark and controversial but true to what we want to say,” The Weeknd also explained, “I just think discussion is healthy, no matter what. To me it’s like, I’m just happy that there’s conversation. That’s important for anything I do, especially this new medium that I’m in.”

Read More: “The Idol”: Sources Allegedly Call The Weeknd “Egomaniacal,” Not Renewing

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