A “nasty” scene from The Idol is “changing the way” that people view The Weeknd.
The HBO series was co-created by the Canadian musician, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, and Sam Levinson of Euphoria.
In the show, he plays Tedros Tedros, a mysterious club owner and cult leader who infiltrates the world of troubled pop star Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp).
The program has already generated criticism, most notably on claims that it portrays a misogynistic and predatory attitude toward women.
One specific sequence in episode two, which aired on HBO on Sunday, June 11, and Sky Atlantic on Monday, June 12, irked fans.
In it, a fully clothed Tedros commands a naked and blindfolded Jocelyn to indulge his sex desires as he swoons over her from a distance. He says, at one point, “Fin’ stretch that tiny, little p*.”
A fan wrote: “I will never see The Weeknd the same after this,” and another: “He definitely gives me the ick after that episode.”
The scenario was described by other viewers as “nasty,” “straight-up offputting,” and “very difficult to watch.”
More people criticized the singer’s acting abilities at the same time.
One tweet stated, “The Idol would be so good if it weren’t for the weekend he just ruins it lmao.”
Another person said: “The first 10 minutes of the episode actually had me interested and I thought it had something important to say about the music industry and the relationship between the artist and the industry executives before The Weekend got on screen once again.”
After Rolling Stone published an exposé involving anonymous interviews with those who worked on the series, the show came under fire in March.
They claimed that Tesfaye, Levinson, and the show’s producers had created a narrative “about a man who gets to abuse this woman and she loves it” by “disgustingly going off the rails” with the program.
However, some are defending the show, claiming that the “sick” nature of their relationship is being depicted in the show and that the scenes are meant to be difficult to watch because Tedros is preying on Jocelyn’s “vulnerability”.
Depp, who stars in the show, has stated that by avoiding in-depth discussion about the show prior to its airing, she intended to “leave room for viewers to be surprised.”
In Cannes, she told reporters, “I think it’s interesting that people have so much to say about the show already, and they haven’t even seen it,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The Idol airs on HBO and Sky Atlantic every Sunday. Since it debuted earlier this month, its explicit content has been making headlines.
Jennie Kim from BLACKPINK, Suzanna Son, Rachel Sennott, Eli Roth, and Hari Nef are among the other celebrities who appear in the show.
What do you think of the show so far? Feel free to leave your opinions below. Make sure to Sign-up for our newsletter so you’re always in the loop about the entertainment world.
