The Canadian singer and the co-creator of ‘The Idol’ hits back at the outlet’s claims that the ‘Euphoria’ creator turns the new show into a ‘rape fantasy.’
AceShowbiz –The Weeknd has hit back at Rolling Stone’s claims that Sam Levinson turned their new show “The Idol” into a “rape fantasy.” Taking to his social media platforms, the Canadian singer defended the “Euphoria” creator.
On Wednesday, March 1, the 33-year-old musician turned to his Instagram and Twitter accounts to post an unseen scene from “The Idol”, in which he threw shade at Rolling Stone. The footage saw him calling the publication “irrelevant” and “past its prime.” Not stopping there, the “Save Your Tears” singer captioned the clip, “@rollingstone did we upset you?”
In a damning piece published by Rolling Stone on Wednesday, 13 alleged members of the series’ cast and crew spoke out over their discomfort with the show’s new creative direction. “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,” one production member told the magazine of Sam’s version. Another added, “It was like, ‘What is this? What am I reading here?’ It was like sexual torture porn.”
Sources also told the outlet that Sam’s versions of the scripts allegedly contained “disturbing sexual and physically violent scenes” between stars Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd, who is also co-creator of “The Idol”.
Moreover, according to Rolling Stones’ sources, the “Blinding Lights” singer allegedly wanted to drop the drama’s “feminist lens” and “wanted one show that was all about him.” However, two crew members disputed that the musician could be the primary focus of “The Idol”, given the pop star’s rigorous schedule.
One insider noted, “It was really frustrating because they were working so hard to make it possible to shoot and be released with his concert or whatever his timeline was [and] it all got thrown out the window.”
However, HBO told Page Six that they are pleased with how production has unfolded since Levinson took over the reins. “The creators and producers of ‘The Idol’ have been working hard to create one of HBO’s most exciting and provocative original programs,” the network said in a statement. “The initial approach on the show and production of the early episodes, unfortunately, did not meet HBO standards so we chose to make a change.”
They added, “Throughout the process, 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. We look forward to sharing ‘The Idol’ with audiences soon.”
“The Idol” follows a Los Angeles club owner and cult leader (The Weeknd) who enters into a complicated relationship with a rising pop star (Lily-Rose Depp). The cast also includes Troye Sivan, Debby Ryan and Rachel Sennott, with former “Saved by the Bell” star Elizabeth Berkley, Melanie Liburd and the late Anne Heche having recurring roles, though it’s unclear what the status of her role is since her passing.
Produced by A24, Bron Creative, Little Lamb and HBO Entertainment, “The Idol” was first announced in June 2021 and began shooting in and around Los Angeles in November of that year. In April 2022, however, it was reported the show was going in a new creative direction amid changes to its cast.
A release date for “The Idol” has yet to be announced.
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