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- All the Controversy Surrounding HBO’s “The Idol,” Explained
All the Controversy Surrounding HBO’s “The Idol,” Explained
HBO
HBO’s “The Idol” made headlines for months ahead of its June 4 premiere but not for good reasons. Ever since reports hinted at trouble behind the scenes early last year – the exit of a director and cast member and major reshoots at a new location – buzz surrounding the new show has been more angst than excitement.
“The Idol” – which stars Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, Lily-Rose Depp, Dan Levy, Blackpink’s Jennie Kim, Rachel Sennott, Hari Nef, Hank Azaria, Jane Adams, and Da’Vine Joy Randolph – follows the dark, seemingly real-life-inspired story of a famous singer who, “determined to claim her rightful status as the greatest and sexiest pop star in America,” has her passions reignited by a nightclub owner/cult leader with a sordid past, per the show’s description. It was created by Tesfaye, “Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson, and Reza Fahim.
Leading up to “The Idol”‘s debut, many had no idea what else the show could entail. That is until crew members and sources close to “The Idol”‘s production spoke to Rolling Stone for a March exposé piece that uncovered allegations of a toxic work environment, the series’ violent and disturbing nature, and a complete flip on the show’s original vision.
In spite of these claims, the “Idol” cast themselves haven’t spoken out against the series. In fact, they’ve sung its praises in interviews with POPSUGAR. Randolph told us that the show is “an authentic, fly-on-the-wall, observational, almost reality-show-esque look into the behind-the-scenes of what it takes for a talent to fulfill their dreams and how many people and things can come in the way.” She added, “You see this kind of unorthodox, dysfunctional family of her team that is trying to make her dreams happen, and there are successes and losses.”
Despite reviews that criticized “The Idol”‘s sexually explicit subject matter – some of which have said that it degrades its central female character – Randolph said, in her opinion, the show is about “female empowerment at the core and a woman’s choice.”
Similarly, Adams told us of the show, “Here’s somebody just telling a story, and they don’t care what people think or what is the right word or theme. It just is what it is.” Adams also said she hopes “The Idol” “will help embolden [viewers] to go into their life the next day after they see it and make bolder choices and not care so much and have some more fun.”
With all the mixed reactions from “The Idol”‘s cast, crew, and early viewers, it’s hard to pinpoint where exactly the show went wrong before it even aired. Ahead, read a full breakdown of all the drama surrounding the HBO series.
Related: Da’Vine Joy Randolph Says There Have Been “No Official Talks” of “The Idol” Season 2
Getty / Taylor Hill
April 26, 2022: Director Amy Seimetz Exits "The Idol" Amid Creative Overhaul
The first sign of trouble for “The Idol” came after Deadline reported that Seimetz, who was set to direct all episodes of the series, exited the show amid a “major creative overhaul.” The outlet noted that Levinson then stepped in to take over directing duties, though he’s since been credited as a cocreator and executive producer.
HBO declined to comment on the matter at the time. However, according to a Deadline report published just one day prior, the network said it was “evolving” its original vision for the show. “‘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,” an HBO spokeswoman told the outlet. “The production will be adjusting its cast and crew accordingly to best serve this new approach to the series. We look forward to sharing more information soon.”
Two days following HBO’s statement, Deadline then reported that cast member Suzanna Son exited “The Idol” for unknown reasons. The cast and directorial changes, according to the publication, were due to Tesfaye being “unhappy” with the show’s creative direction. The series had already filmed four to five episodes at that point but underwent significant reshoots, per Variety.
HBO
March 1, 2023: Rolling Stone Publishes Exposé About "The Idol"'s Alleged Toxic Work Environment
Months following reports of reshoots and exits from “The Idol,” HBO released three teaser clips to get viewers excited. But that buzz was interrupted with disturbing allegations on March 1 when Rolling Stone published an investigation into the behind-the-scenes events of the show. Per interviews with 13 cast and crew members, the exposé detailed everything from scripts containing a number of physically and sexually violent scenes between Depp’s and Tesfaye’s characters to countless delays, reshoots, and rewrites that one member classified as “a sh*tshow.”
The article claimed that the first red flag for “The Idol” arose after Seimetz exited the show with roughly 80 percent of it finished. At the time of her departure, reports were unclear about what exactly signaled the major creative changes to the show, but Rolling Stone reported that Tesfaye felt the show was leaning too much into a “female perspective.” A source seconded that idea to the publication, saying, “It was like The Weeknd wanted one show that was all about him – Sam was on board with that.”
Rolling Stone also noted that delays for “The Idol” were caused by Levinson getting more involved in directing, as he reportedly scrapped the nearly-finished $54-75 million project to rewrite and reshoot the series in its entirety. Sources then claimed Levinson dampened “The Idol”‘s original message by increasing the amount of sexual content and nudity featured to match – and potentially surpass – his other raunchy HBO series, “Euphoria.”
“What I signed up for was a dark satire of fame and the fame model in the 21st century. The things that we subject our talent and stars to, the forces that put people in the spotlight and how that can be manipulated in the post-Trump world,” one crew member shared, adding, “It went from satire to the thing it was satirizing.”
Another crew member said of the show’s X-rated content, “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.” Meanwhile, another member described the series as “sexual torture porn.”
On the other hand, Depp defended Levinson’s vision for the show and called him “the best director” she’s ever worked with in a statement to POPSUGAR. She also added that she’s never “felt more supported or respected in a creative space, my input, and opinions more valued.”
An HBO rep shared a separate statement with POPSUGAR, writing, “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.”
Reps for Levinson and Tesfaye did not respond to POPSUGAR’s request for comment on the Rolling Stone report.
HBO
March 1, 2023: The Weeknd Responds to Rolling Stone's Exposé
Shortly after Rolling Stone published its report, the pop star responded with a nonchalant response on social media. “@RollingStone did we upset you?” Tesfaye wrote alongside a clip from “The Idol,” where his character makes fun of the publication for being “irrelevant.” Depp’s character chimes in as well, suggesting the outlet is “past its prime.” Tesfaye did not directly address the report outside of his initial comment.
Getty / Marc Piasecki
May 23, 2023: Sam Levinson Responds to "The Idol" Criticism
Levinson and “The Idol” cast hit the 2023 Cannes Film Festival to debut the first two episodes of their series out of competition for critics in attendance. Though Deadline reported that the show received a five-minute standing ovation, making Levinson emotional, some reviews were less than kind to aspects of “The Idol.” A Rolling Stone headline called the series “more toxic and way worse than you’ve heard,” while The Hollywood Reporter said it “runs almost exclusively on vibes,” comparing it to “Euphoria” season two.
While at Cannes, Levinson addressed some of “The Idol”‘s backlash, including Rolling Stone’s report, saying, “I just wanna say that it’s always sad and disheartening to hear mean, false things about someone you care about, and it wasn’t my experience shooting the show.” The show creator also acknowledged that those signed on for the series knew they were making a “show that’s provocative.”
Levinson also shared his initial reaction to Rolling Stone’s piece after his wife read it to him for the first time. He said, “I think we’re about to have the biggest show of the summer.”
Right now, it seems Levinson’s prediction may be correct. But will “The Idol” go down as the biggest show of the season for positive reasons? Only viewers will be able to answer that.