The series, which stars The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp, is coming soon to HBO
HBO has released the first teaser trailer for The Idol, an upcoming series co-created by The Weeknd and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson.
According to HBO, the series is “set against the backdrop of the music industry” and “[centres] on a self-help guru and leader of a modern-day cult, who develops a complicated relationship with an up-and-coming pop idol.”
Starring The Weeknd (AKA Abel Tesfaye) and Lily-Rose Depp, the trailer suggests the series will be full of drugs, sex, and violence and depict “the sleaziest love story in all of Hollywood.”
In addition to Depp and Tesfaye, Troye Sivan, Tunde Adebimpe, and Blackpink’s Jennie are also set to appear in the show. An official release date has not been announced, but the teaser trailer says it’s “coming soon.”
Some have raised eyebrows at the way the film is being marketed and questioned the decision to glorify the “sick and twisted minds” of its creators in the trailer, when Levinson has been accused of shoehorning unnecessary female nude scenes into Euphoria and The Weeknd has been scrutinised for his misogynistic lyrics in the past.
While on the one hand, it’s possible the series will shine a light on how women continue to be exploited in showbusiness, on the other hand, it’s worth questioning whether we really need a show which glamourises abusive practices in the entertainment industry – especially as more and more stories of misogyny and sexism continue to pour out of Hollywood.
Whatever you make of it, you can watch the trailer above.