The Idol

Levinson allegedly wrote disturbing sexual scenes for the music industry drama starring Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp.

A [subsequent Deadline piece stated](https://deadline.com/2022/04/the-idol-hbo-suzanna-son-1235010740/) that The Weeknd did not like how much the show focused on its “female perspective.” Levinson entered the driver’s seat, reportedly scrapping most of what had been shot and shifting the tone drastically, filling new roles with buzzy young stars like Rachel Sennott and Blackpink’s Jennie, and allegedly writing disturbing, abusive scenes between Depp’s and The Weeknd’s characters which one source likened to “sexual torture porn”—there’s one especially bizarre note involving an egg and Depp’s character’s vagina. There was also a reported disconnect between where Seimetz wanted the show to go thematically, and how Levinson wanted it. [focuses on the lurid side of the entertainment industry](https://www.gq.com/story/the-weeknd-sam-levinson-lily-rose-depp-hbo-the-idol-trailer), with Lily-Rose Depp playing a young pop star and The Weeknd as a seedy cult leader who she falls for.

HBO, Lily-Rose Depp Deny On-Set Turmoil on 'The Idol'. The drama from Abel 'The Weeknd' Tesfaye and Sam Levinson is the subject of a Rolling Stone investigation ...

[Instagram post](https://www.instagram.com/p/CpQvI7mLpFq/) featuring a clip from the show that mocks Rolling Stone’s influence on the music business. HBO began developing the show in summer 2021 and [gave it a series order](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/the-weeknd-idol-hbo-series-1235051695/) in November of that year. The statement continues, “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. The story also says that after director Amy Seimetz was let go amid a [creative overhaul](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/the-weeknd-sam-levinson-hbo-show-retooled-1235134960/) in April 2022, Levinson took over as director and “scrapped the nearly finished $54-75 million project to rewrite and reshoot the entire thing.” We look forward to sharing The Idol with audiences soon.” Sources have also pushed back on the claim that nearly all of Seimetz’s work was reshot, and that the Idol team flushed $50 million-plus worth of work (which would be a particular eyebrow-raiser given recent cutbacks at HBO and parent company Warner Bros. “He hires people whose work he esteems and has always created an environment in which I felt seen, heard and appreciated.” “It went from satire to the thing it was satirizing.” People who worked on the show also noted a shift in tone and some disturbing scenes written (but not filmed) portraying sexual violence. “Never have I felt more supported or respected in a creative space, my input and opinions more valued. In a statement to THR, HBO says it paused the show last year because “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.” [Rolling Stone story](https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-features/the-idol-hbo-next-euphoria-torture-porn-the-weeknd-sam-levinson-lily-rose-depp-blackpink-jennie-1234688754/) published Wednesday and citing 13 sources close to the show reports that the drama, co-created by Euphoria’s [Sam Levinson](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/sam-levinson/) and music star [The Weeknd](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/weeknd/) (whose real name is Abel Tesfaye), was plagued by last-minute revisions and a chaotic working environment. [Share this article on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hbo-denies-the-idol-set-problems-1235339084/&title=HBO,%20Lily-Rose%20Depp%20Deny%20On-Set%20Turmoil%20on%20‘The%20Idol’&sdk=joey&display=popup&ref=plugin&src=share_button&app_id=1153511048447777) [Share this article on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hbo-denies-the-idol-set-problems-1235339084/&text=HBO%2C%20Lily-Rose%20Depp%20Deny%20On-Set%20Turmoil%20on%20%E2%80%98The%20Idol%E2%80%99&via=thr) [Share this article on Email](mailto:?subject=thr%20:%20HBO,%20Lily-Rose%20Depp%20Deny%20On-Set%20Turmoil%20on%20‘The%20Idol’&body=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hbo-denies-the-idol-set-problems-1235339084/%20-%20HBO,%20Lily-Rose%20Depp%20Deny%20On-Set%20Turmoil%20on%20‘The%20Idol’) [Show additional share options](#) [Share this article on Print]() [Share this article on Comment](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hbo-denies-the-idol-set-problems-1235339084/#respond) [Share this article on Whatsapp](whatsapp://send?text=HBO,%20Lily-Rose%20Depp%20Deny%20On-Set%20Turmoil%20on%20‘The%20Idol’%20-%20https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hbo-denies-the-idol-set-problems-1235339084/) [Share this article on Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=1&url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hbo-denies-the-idol-set-problems-1235339084/&title=HBO,%20Lily-Rose%20Depp%20Deny%20On-Set%20Turmoil%20on%20‘The%20Idol’&summary&source=thr) [Share this article on Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hbo-denies-the-idol-set-problems-1235339084/&title=HBO,%20Lily-Rose%20Depp%20Deny%20On-Set%20Turmoil%20on%20‘The%20Idol’) [Share this article on Pinit](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hbo-denies-the-idol-set-problems-1235339084/&description=HBO,%20Lily-Rose%20Depp%20Deny%20On-Set%20Turmoil%20on%20‘The%20Idol’) [Share this article on Tumblr](https://www.tumblr.com/widgets/share/tool/preview?shareSource=legacy&canonicalUrl&url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/hbo-denies-the-idol-set-problems-1235339084/&posttype=link&title=HBO,%20Lily-Rose%20Depp%20Deny%20On-Set%20Turmoil%20on%20‘The%20Idol’) [HBO](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/t/hbo/) is disputing a report that its forthcoming drama series [The Idol](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/the-weeknd-idol-hbo-series-1235051695/) was beset by problems during filming.

Their statement follows Rolling Stone's report that the show, which was co-created by the Weeknd and Euphoria's Sam Levinson, was "torture porn."

The report claimed Seimetz has faced complications as director due to a limited budget from HBO and strict production deadlines. "It’s really frustrating seeing Amy doing her damn best to turn around some kind of product that she can be somewhat proud of to HBO," the source said. He hires people whose work he esteems and has always created an environment in which I felt seen, heard, and appreciated." We look forward to sharing The Idol with audiences soon," HBO's statement continued. “The creators and producers of The Idol have been working hard to create one of HBO’s most exciting and provocative original programs. The cast also includes names like BLACKPINK’s Jennie, Dan Levy of Schitt’s Creek, and singer Troye Sivan.

The Weeknd has fired back at Rolling Stone after a report claiming his HBO series 'The Idol' is in turmoil. HBO has defended co-creator Sam Levinson.

In a statement sent to Variety, HBO asserts, “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. due to a change in creative directions.” Reports at the time claimed that Tesfaye felt the series was leaning too much into a “female perspective.” As Rolling Stone reports, Levinson then took over as director, “scrapping the nearly-finished $54-75 million project to rewrite and reshoot the entire thing.” He hires people whose work he esteems and has always created an environment in which I felt seen, heard, and appreciated.” Working with Sam is a true collaboration in every way — it matters to him, more than anything, not only what his actors think about the work, but how we feel performing it. Tesfaye, who plays a modern-day cult leader named Tedros, says, “Rolling Stone? Posting a clip from the series to Instagram, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye tagged Rolling Stone and wrote, “Did we upset you?” In the scene, a character played by Dan Levy pitches Tesfaye and Lily-Rose Depp’s pop star character Jocelyn to do a photo shoot for the cover of Rolling Stone.

The Weeknd's new HBO show is getting dragged after a report suggested the production is in shambles -- but sources tell TMZ things are actually quite the ...

our sources say the claim that the budget hit close to $80 million is "nowhere near" accurate. He hires people whose work he esteems and has always created an environment in which I felt seen, heard, and appreciated." Despite any suggestions of a twisted, degenerate workplace -- as described by RS -- they add ... There's also a major misconception, we're told, about an alleged notion that Weeknd felt the OG version of "The Idol" was too focused on a female perspective ... Never have I felt more supported or respected in a creative space, my input and opinions more valued. which our sources insist have elevated the art and which will make for a better product when it finally hits the service. In other words, the reshoots weren't that expensive. Our sources tell us that nobody who talked to RS -- upwards of 13 sources, they claim -- has seen the final product ... which is something that was floated in Rolling Stone. what Abel and show creators had envisioned from the beginning. which we're told is optimistic and grateful. Fact is ...

The “Die for You” singer shared a clip from the show of his character Tedros with Jocelyn (costar Lily-Rose Depp) talking to a character played by Dan Levy. In ...

“The creators and producers of The Idol have been working hard to create one of HBO’s most exciting and provocative original programs. “Throughout the process, the creative team has been committed to creating a safe, collaborative, and mutually respectful working environment.” The explosive exposé, published Wednesday, included 16 anonymous sources, many of whom detailed a tumultuous creative process and questionable rewrites and reshoots on the set of HBO’s The Idol.

The Weeknd, Lily-Rose Depp and HBO have responded to new reported allegations that the production of their upcoming series 'The Idol' has been a “shitshow”.

HBO has also denied the allegations in Rolling Stone’s report, saying in a statement to Variety: “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. Rolling Stone’s report claims that the show, which was supposed to offer a satirical take on Hollywood’s dark model of fame and fortune, has turned into its own kind of monster. He hires people whose work he esteems and has always created an environment in which I felt seen, heard, and appreciated.” Levinson reportedly went on to rehaul the project with multiple rewrites and reshoots, allegedly adding more nudity and disturbing sexual content. The Weeknd tagged the publication in his tweet with a question: “did we upset you?” They allege that The Idol, which is expected to premiere sometime this year, has been plagued by delays, rewrites and reshoots that took a turn for the worse with Euphoria showrunner Sam Levinson at the helm.

The Weeknd, co-creator of The Idol, has fired back at Rolling Stone's report claiming the TV show has become 'torture porn.'

[Here’s How You Can Watch The Weeknd’s Live At SoFi Stadium Concert From The UK](/news/how-watch-the-weeknd-live-sofi-stadium-concert-uk/) And Jocelyn has 78 million followers, all real I’d assume.” Rolling Stone has 6 million followers on Instagram, half of them probably bots.

The Idol does not currently have a release date but is set to air at some point during 2023 starring The Weeknd, Lily-Rose Depp, Dan Levy, Eli Roth, Troye Sivan ...

The editor-in-chief of Rolling Stone Noah Shachtman, responded to the tweet saying, "Not at all!" They said: "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. He shared the same clip on Twitter with the same caption. Honestly, I think HBO handed her a s**t stack." In November 2021 HBO ordered it to series. They added: "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.”

Sam Levinson's vision for The Idol has been described as “any rape fantasy that any toxic man would have.”

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.” “We look forward to sharing The Idol with audiences soon.” Someone else summarized: “the idol fiasco especially alarming because it shows that men can really just drop in on a whim and ruin a woman’s entire work. None of this would have happened if Abel didn’t fire the female director cause he didn’t like the fact the show focused on the ‘female perspective.’” In a statement that was provided by HBO, the actor said: “Sam is, for so many reasons, the best director I have ever worked with. The rewrites are said to have included “extreme” sexual and violent content.

Following the incendiary report published by Rolling Stone about the behind-the-scenes of HBO's The Idol, the show's lead and co-creator, Abel Tesfaye a.k.a ...

Club, a source claimed that “When you see the show you will understand these rumors are false.” Other sources have told The clip ultimately poses the question, are we supposed to be aligning our view with the “modern day cult-leader” who exploits and abuses young women, or are we supposed to see him as a clown with no expertise on media relations? This is unfortunately something we will not know for sure until the show premieres, but there still is no set release day for the 6-episode season. The clip does however show a lot about the quality of acting, dialogue, and directing that all the firing, check cashing, and rewrites have resulted in. The Weeknd has [shared a snippet](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CpQvI7mLpFq/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=a178cbcb-39ce-471e-9aca-5c8c05a2fdb9) from the forthcoming series in which his cult-leader character calls the publication “irrelevant.” It’s also a bit bold to belittle a publication that’s put you on the cover three times, but you do you, we guess.

The Toronto pop star responded to the music magazine's report that the upcoming series has “gone wildly, disgustingly off the rails.”

“The Idol” tells the story of a pop star, played by Rose Depp, who becomes romantically involved with a self-help guru and cult leader, played by Tesfaye. Levinson’s “Euphoria” is currently one of HBO’s most popular shows and has made an undeniable impact on the cultural zeitgeist. In the summer of 2021, Tesfaye announced that he was creating, producing and co-writing a drama series for HBO alongside his frequent production partner Reza Fahim and Sam Levinson. The show boasts an impressive cast, including Canadian comedian Dan Levy and the late actor Anne Heche in her final role. “On a show where you’re the co creator, star, one of few credited writers and probably also an EP (executive producer). Tesfaye did not respond to requests for comment by Rolling Stone, but shared a tweet on Wednesday evening.