Exploring the Buzz Surrounding Sam Levinson’s “The Idol” Featuring Lily-Rose Depp and the Weeknd at Cannes

The Controversial TV Series “The Idol” Takes Cannes by Storm

At this year’s Cannes Film Festival, one of the most talked-about titles was not a movie but a TV show, “The Idol.” The brainchild of Sam Levinson, creator of “Euphoria,” and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, the series is sexy, scandalous, and set in the world of pop music, focusing on the price of fame. The first two of its five episodes premiered at the festival and sparked several hot takes about on-screen nudity, bodily fluids, and Hollywood sycophants.

On-set Turmoil and Denials

Before “The Idol” premiered, Rolling Stone published an explosive report detailing on-set turmoil, including allegations of a toxic work environment, last-minute script rewrites, and budgets gone wild. However, at a Cannes press conference, Levinson responded directly to the allegations and denied any behind-the-scenes drama. “When my wife read me the article,” he recalled, “I looked at her and I said, ‘I think we’re about to have the biggest show of the summer.'”

Philosophical Discussion: The Price of Fame

“The Idol” focuses on a pop phenom Jocelyn, played by Lily-Rose Depp, coming off a psychotic break after her mother’s death. As she tries to get a new album and tour off the ground, she meets The Weeknd’s Tedros, a modern-day cult leader who reveals greater ambitions for Jocelyn’s career. Tesfaye said, “I wanted to make a dark, twisted fantasy about the music industry, to take everything I know about it and heighten it.”

The show puts the spotlight on the price of fame, exploring how the world perceives pop stars and the pressure it puts on them as individuals. Levinson denied that Jocelyn was inspired by any particular pop star, stating, “We’re looking more at how the world perceives pop stars and the pressure it puts on that individual.”

The Show’s Use of Nudity

Levinson defended the show’s “revolutionary” use of nudity, stating, “We live in a very sexualized world. Especially in the States, the influence of pornography is strong in the psyche of young people. We see this in pop music.” He also joked about a scene in the pilot that pokes fun at the need for intimacy coordinators, who were introduced to the entertainment industry in the wake of #MeToo.

Depp, who plays Jocelyn, called her a “born and bred performer,” stating that nudity is crucial to the character’s genesis. “That extends to every aspect of her life, not just her professional life,” she said. “The occasional bareness of the character physically mirrors the bareness we get to see emotionally.”

The Idol’s Reception at Cannes</h3>

Despite the controversy around the show, “The Idol” received a positive reception when it premiered at Cannes, generating significant buzz and reactions. Some called it the “biggest show of the summer,” while others stood by the allegations of on-set turmoil.

Advice to Fans

“The Idol” is a provocative and polarizing series that aims to explore the price of fame in the music industry. While it faces controversies around on-set turmoil and its use of nudity, it has generated significant buzz and reactions. As a viewer, approach the show with an open mind and a willingness to engage with its themes.