Previously, media outlet Rolling Stone left a scathing review on HBO’s upcoming TV series “The Idol”, and related parties are firing back.
After a report from media outlet Rolling Stone described HBO’s “The Idol”, which features BLACKPINK Jennie”, in various negative words, HBO, as well as leading cast members Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd have both spoken up.
According to the media outlet, “The Idol” has fallen far away from its original message, after the exit of previous director Amy Seimetz, which happened after roughly 80% of filming was finished. The show also allegedly tried to use the name of BLACKPINK Jennie to draw attention, only to render her character into one that has “barely any air time and an inconsequential story arc”, alongside “three or four lines per episode”.
However, HBO has since refuted Rolling Stone’s words, and sent a statement to media outlet Variety, which 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.”
“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 broadcasting station also added.
In addition, Lily-Rose Depp, who stars as the female lead in “The Idol”, called Sam Levinson “the best director” she has ever worked with. “Never have I felt more supported or respected in a creative space, my input and opinions more valued. 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. He hires people whose work he esteems and has always created an environment in which I felt seen, heard, and appreciated”, the star commented in response to previous negative claims.
The two main stars of “The Idol”, Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd both defended the HBO show.
Meanwhile, The Weeknd went all out in slamming Rolling Stone. He published a scene from “The Idol”, where his character said, “Rolling Stone? Aren’t they a little irrelevant”, and added the caption, “Did we upset you?”
On the other hand, “The Idol” follows pop superstar Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp) as she navigates the seedy underbelly of the music industry and falls under the spell of Tedros (The Weeknd), a mysterious owner of a popular L.A. nightclub who secretly runs a cult.
Source: Variety, Rolling Stone
