13th June 2023, Mumbai: The Weeknd, real name Abel Tesfaye, participated in a brutal sex scene in a shocking episode of the contentious HBO drama “The Idol,” which shocked and repulsed audiences. For many viewers, the scene in which the club owner and cult leader Tedros, played by the pop singer, engaged in intimate actions with Jocelyn, portrayed by Lily-Rose Depp, crossed the line.
On social media, The Weeknd supporters voiced their sadness and said they would never be able to view the singer in the same way again. One Twitter user even went so far as to video and post the scene, saying it forever changed how they felt about The Weeknd.
Also drawing criticism was the language used throughout the passionate session. Some viewers found Tesfaye’s words, especially one particularly graphic one, to be delivered in a deadpan manner unpleasant. Many others expressed their dissatisfaction, saying that the incident made it difficult for them to enjoy The Weeknd’s songs.
While the moment itself was obscenely sexual in nature, several social media users also used the occasion to critique The Weeknd’s acting skills. They said that he appeared silly or that his attempts to be seductive failed, finding his performance to be embarrassing.
“The Idol” had previously been accused of being unpleasant and torture porn before it was ever released. According to Rolling Stone magazine, the programme attempted to give a more powerful rendition of “Euphoria,” however other sources asserted that it overused its subject matter and continued harmful themes. These accusations were refuted by Depp and Tesfaye.
After the series’ unimpressive launch, critics joined in voicing their unhappiness. Many people criticised the writing, calling it awful and unauthentic. It was said that the content was a mixture of self-parody, pretentious art, and horrifying exploitation. The Weekend’s performance, the dialogue, and the overall perception that the show was produced by cisgender men were all criticised by reviewers.
Although “The Idol” is still being broadcast on HBO and the streaming service Max, people have expressed worry over its sexual content and contentious topics. Some viewers voiced concern over the possibility of Lily-Rose Depp’s role being exploited and hoped she was happy with the show’s course.
By Khushboo Singh