HBO’s latest present The Idol was hit by a scathing report by Rolling Stone journal into alleged on-set chaos throughout manufacturing. These claims embody typically every day rewrites, delayed shoots, and a whole overhaul that made the story into “sexual torture porn.”
Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, 33, co-created the sequence. It was alleged that adjustments had been made as a result of the singer felt the story was centered an excessive amount of on the “female perspective” of Lily-Rose Depp’s Jocelyn.
The drama follows the character as she embarks on a relationship with The Weeknd’s Tedros, whereas making an attempt to navigate the darkish actuality of the music trade.
Following the report’s publication on March 1, The Weeknd responded instantly by way of social media, and his reply led to criticism from followers.
The Weeknd Mocked After Hitting Back at ‘Idol’ Set Drama Report: ‘Bad Look’
Frazer Harrison/Getty
Rolling Stone’s report included allegations by a number of inside-sources from the present. They spoke about their experiences with authentic director Amy Seimetz after which, after her exit in April 2022, the whole overhaul of the almost-complete sequence when Euphoria’s Sam Levinson stepped in.
Some of the extra damning accusations referred to the gratuitous ranges of nudity and sexual violence that was allegedly added to the sequence when Levinson modified the present’s route.
According to the report, one supply stated adjustments to the script meant “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.”
Another supply stated the drama’s premise modified considerably from Seimetz’s authentic imaginative and prescient: “It was a show about a woman who was finding herself sexually, turned into a show about a man who gets to abuse this woman and she loves it.”
The report alleged that scenes written for the present, however not filmed, included one through which Depp’s character was overwhelmed by Tedros, which prompted her to ask for “more.” Another alleged unrecorded scene would have seen Depp’s Jocelyn carry an egg in her vagina. If she dropped it, Tedros wouldn’t “rape” her, and the character reportedly ended up “begging” for the assault.
Referring to those alleged storylines, one supply instructed Rolling Stone: “It was like, ‘What is this? What am I reading here?’ It was like sexual torture porn.”
Newsweek has contacted HBO and The Weeknd’s representatives for additional remark.
After Rolling Stone‘s report was revealed, The Weeknd responded by sharing a clip from the show, through which his character referred to as the publication “irrelevant.” In the caption, the singer tweeted Rolling Stone instantly and wrote “did we upset you?”
Fans of the singer took to the feedback part of his publish to criticize him for his response. Others mocked the response by sharing photographs of his previous covers with Rolling Stone and even lyrics he wrote prior to now in reward of the journal.
One individual criticized The Weeknd by writing: “have many questions for the team of people who told you this was the way you should respond.”
have many questions for the workforce of people that instructed you this was the way in which you need to reply
— matt (@mattxiv) March 1, 2023
Another person added: “This is such a bad look (and I’m not talking about the excellent reporting from @RollingStone).”
This is such a nasty look (and I’m not speaking concerning the wonderful reporting from @RollingStone)
— Roya Backlund 🪐 (@RoyaBacklund) March 2, 2023
One individual joked that The Weeknd’s response was “a bad idea babes…”
Criticizing the musician, one person tweeted: “as a longtime fan this is extremely disappointing coming from you.”
Another tweeted: “Same guy who bragged about being featured in the rolling stone on after hours? I’ve been a big fan of you but I’ve gotta say, I’m disappointed. The concerns of the article flew right over your head bro.”
While a variety of The Weeknd’s followers criticized him for his response, others confirmed assist and posted that they had been trying ahead to The Idol, regardless of the report.
Best reply ever. Love it! Love you! You make my night time! While ready for the discharge of “dwell at @SoFiStadium album”
— Mary Frt XOTWOD 🇫🇷 will see Abel in July (@Maryfrt74) March 1, 2023
One person tweeted: “Best answer ever. Love it! Love you! You make my night! While waiting for the release of ‘live at @SoFiStadium album’.”
Another wrote that they would be “watching the idol ASAP!” whereas one other posted that they would “accept no Abel slander.”