Sam Levinson and The Weeknd’s The Idol is streaming on HBO Max and has garnered much attention from critics and audiences. The series stars a lot of young actors such as Lily-Rose Depp, Jennie Kim, Troye Sivan, and Rachel Sennott, among others. Find out what the latest drama series is all about.
What Is The Idol About?
HBO’s The Idol is created by Sam Levinson who is also the creator of the hit show Euphoria. The “edgy” and “provocative” drama series gives the audience a peek behind the glamorous life of a pop star. It follows the story of a pop star called Jocelyn, played by Lily-Rose Depp, and the constant pressure that she faces from people around her to stay relevant in the industry. Jocelyn is trying to pick herself back up after suffering from a nervous breakdown and begins touring with a new album when she meets a cult leader, Tedros. The show revolves around the relationship between Lily-Rose’s Jocelyn and The Weeknd’s Tedros and their dynamic powerplay.
The show has received a lot of mixed reactions from critics and fans after its three-episode screening at the Cannes Festival 2023. However, the show’s creators Sam Levinson and The Weeknd along with Lily-Rose Depp remain unfazed by these reactions. In an interview with New York Times, Depp stated that they knew that the show will not be one to be watched with family.
“We always knew that we were going to make something that was going to be provocative and perhaps not for everyone.”
The Weeknd also added that the show was not for everybody and that it would be tough to please everyone.
“When I first started making music, it was the exact same thing. It was provocative, and I knew it was going to be tough for people. And a lot of people didn’t like it.”
“This is not going to be for everybody, and that’s fine.”
Is The Idol Inspired by Britney Spears’ Life?
The first episode of The Idol dropped on June 4, 2023, and fans instantly started making connections between Jocelyn and Britney Spears. Spears is one of the most iconic 90s pop stars and in the very first episode, Jocelyn’s dance routine is defined as an “homage” to Britney Spears. A Vanity Fair reporter in the series talks about the similarities between Britney and Jocelyn’s life while Jocelyn is practising her choreography.
“I think what Britney and Jocelyn have gone through is really unique but, ultimately, universal, you know? Look at what she’s overcome, you know, the press has been brutal. But Britney as well, people count them out, and this is Jocelyn saying I will not be written off.”
Despite mentioning Britney in the first episode, the show creators have expressly stated that The Idol is not about Britney Spears. Lily-Rose Depp said in an interview she “adored” Spears and drew inspiration from her for Jocelyn.
“There was so much inspiration to be drawn from somebody like Britney Spears, who I adore, and all of the other incredible pop icons of our time.”
Levinson also mentioned that the show isn’t based on any particular pop star’s life at the press conference at Cannes for The Idol’s premiere.
“I think we’re looking more at how the world perceives pop stars, and the pressure that it puts on that individual. It’s a lot of pressure to constantly have to be on, and to have to be what everyone wishes you to be. I also think that it’s a lonely life, and we can all pretend that everyone is looking out for someone’s best interests, but I think fame really corrupts.”
It is pretty easy to draw similarities between Jocelyn’s and Spears’ life based on what fame can do to a young pop star. Fans also pointed out that Britney’s father, Jamie, was somewhat like The Weeknd‘s character, Tedros, who tried to control her life and took advantage of her fame and status.
While The Idol is not based on Britney’s life, it surely portrays the ugly side of fame, money, and the harsh mental effects it has on young pop stars.
