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Lily-Rose Depp, star of HBO's The Idol, speaks out about the backlash the series received and defends co-creator Sam Levinson. Premiering in mid-2023, The Idol told the story of a pop star (Depp) and her toxic relationship with Tedros, a cult-like figure played by Abel Tesfaye, better known as The Weeknd. While it was promoted as a boundary-pushing exploration of fame and exploitation, the show received heavy criticism for its explicit content, narrative choices, and allegations about behind-the-scenes production challenges, which accused Levinson of fostering a problematic creative environment.
In a recent interview with Josh Horowitz on his Happy Sad Confused podcast, while promoting Robert Eggers' Nosferatu, Depp reflected on the backlash The Idol received, expressing her frustration over the negative comments regarding Levinson, whom she described as a close friend and mentor. Depp addressed the criticism directed at Levinson's filmmaking, saying, "The things that they said about him, particularly as a filmmaker, couldn’t be further from the truth." This is what she said:
I think the thing that sucked about that was to have people kind of like talking sh*t about Sam, who is a great friend of mine and somebody that I consider like family, like I'm super close with him and Ashley, his wife, who's a producer on the show, and they are such wonderful people, so incredible, so kind, and really took me under their wing in a way.
And so I think that the only thing that was upsetting about that whole time period was people talking negatively about him, because the things that they said about him, particularly as a filmmaker, just couldn't be further from the truth and from at least my experience working with him. So that sucks. You just never want to hear people talking sh*t about your friend.
Depp went on to talk about how The Idol pushed her out of her comfort zone, expressing her love for her character, Jocelyn, and the show. She also acknowledged its controversial reception, saying, "We always knew it was gonna be controversial." Read her comments below:
I love that character. And I love that show. And I, you know, like I was saying earlier, people are always gonna make their own opinions of things. And so you just have to be steadfast in your conviction of like, I know why I did that. And it was, that really felt like a turning point. Like that was a time period of my life where I feel like I learned so much. I was pushed so far out of my comfort zone in the most beautiful way.
And it gave me so much growth that I will always look back on that as one of the most special times of my life. And I -- it was surreal and not, because we always knew it was gonna be controversial. And so you gotta be expecting that in a way and that's okay. I'm interested in that kind of work, I'm down for that, and I think we were also pushing society's questions, I think intentionally a little bit in a way, and, of course, it was received in the way that it was, but it's okay.
I mean, ever since, people do come up to me sometimes and say, "I loved The Idol," and I'm always like, "I love that," it makes me so happy. And yeah, I think it's beautiful, and I wouldn't have changed anything about it.
What This Means For The Idol
Defending Levinson's Bold Vision
Depp's comments highlight her commitment to and appreciation for The Idol and its polarizing topics, positioning herself as a passionate advocate for Levinson and his vision. Although Levinson, best known for HBO's Euphoria, has built a reputation for tackling controversial subject matter, The Idol faced an unprecedented level of backlash. However, Depp's defense not only shows her loyalty to Levinson, but also her confidence in the show's artistic merit and its intention to challenge society's standards. Despite being cancelled after its five-episode season 1, The Idol did earn an Emmy for Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming.
Additionally, Depp's comments provide insight into the personal and professional growth she underwent while portraying Jocelyn, describing it as a pivotal moment in her career. By describing the set as a nurturing and collaborative environment, Depp seemingly aims to counteract the more negative narratives surrounding the production. Her unwavering support demonstrates her belief in Levinson's storytelling, which, while controversial, sought to push boundaries and spark important conversations, which it did. Although The Idol season 2 isn't happening, her pride shows that, for her, it was more than just a project, instead a striking artistic statement that remains meaningful to her.
Our Take On Lily-Rose Depp’s Defense Of The Idol
Standing Firm In The Face Of Criticism
Depp's candid remarks shed light on her experience working on a project as divisive as The Idol. While the series may have missed the mark for certain audiences, she indicated that the creative risks taken were deliberate and deeply important for those involved. Her loyalty to Levinson and her support of the show's purpose is a testament to the resilience required to navigate public scrutiny in the entertainment industry. Although The Idol remains a divisive piece of entertainment, Depp's defense reminds the public of the value of creative experimentation, even when it results in controversy.
Source: Josh Horowitz
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The Idol is a drama series created by Sam Levinson, Abel Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim. The show stars Lily-Rose Depp and Abel Tesfaye, following the turbulent relationship between an aspiring pop idol and a self-help guru and cult leader. With its exploration of fame and the music industry, the series delves into themes of power and manipulation.
Release Date June 4, 2023
Finale Year November 30, 2022
Cast The Weeknd , Lily-Rose Depp , Suzanna Son , Troye Sivan , Jane Adams , Jennie Kim , Rachel Sennott , Hari Nef
Creator(s) Reza Fahim , Sam Levinson , The Weeknd
Seasons 1
English (US) ·