Revealing the Dark Evolution of HBO’s ‘The Idol’: From ‘Euphoria’ Success to Disturbing ‘Torture Porn’

Startling Revelations: Rolling Stone’s Thirteen Sources Expose the Shocking Downfall of ‘The Idol’ – Sam Levinson‘s Collaborative Endeavor with The Weekend and Lily-Rose Depp

Rolling Stone Unleashes Explosive Revelations in New Report on HBO’s Highly-Anticipated Series, The Idol

Lily-Rose Depp shines as a captivating and enigmatic pop star, exuding both glamour and turmoil. The Weeknd takes on the role of a cunning and manipulative modern cult leader, oozing with a slimy charisma. Joining this star-studded cast are Jennie from Blackpink, Troye Sivan, and an array of other notable talents, each adding their own buzzworthy presence. Behind the camera, the highly sought-after director Sam Levinson leads the way, crafting a series that promises to be even darker, edgier, and more provocative than his previous groundbreaking hit, Euphoria. With the anticipation building for months, HBO’s upcoming series, The Idol, is set to deliver a thrilling and boundary-pushing experience like no other.

Levinson and Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, the masterminds behind HBO’s highly anticipated series, have been hailed as the “twisted geniuses” responsible for crafting the most scandalous love story to grace Hollywood. The narrative revolves around Jocelyn (Depp), an iconic pop superstar, as she delves into the dark and gritty depths of the music industry. Ensnared by Tedros (Tesfaye), the enigmatic owner of a renowned Los Angeles nightclub, Jocelyn unwittingly becomes entangled in a clandestine cult reminiscent of NXIVM and Scientology.

While the series was greenlit in November 2021, HBO has been tight-lipped about its official premiere date, leaving fans eagerly awaiting its arrival. An insider familiar with the production schedule shared with Rolling Stone that initially, HBO aimed to debut The Idol last autumn, taking over the coveted Sunday time slot vacated by House of the Dragon, which concluded in October. However, despite the release of three tantalizing teaser trailers, HBO can only offer a vague promise of “later this year” for the show’s airdate. HBO representatives declined to comment on specific scheduling details when approached for clarification.

According to sources within the production, even they are uncertain about the show’s release date and are unaware of how the final version will shape up. They reveal that the production has been plagued by a series of setbacks, including delays, reshoots, and rewrites, leading to a chaotic and challenging experience. One insider describes it as a “shitshow.”

The first sign of trouble emerged in April when director Amy Seimetz, known for her work on The Girlfriend Experience and She Dies Tomorrow, abruptly departed the project, leaving approximately 80 percent of the six-episode series already completed. HBO acknowledged the news by confirming that The Idol would undergo a major creative overhaul, necessitating adjustments to both the cast and crew. The reasons behind the shakeup were not explicitly disclosed, although reports suggested that Tesfaye, who co-created the show, expressed concerns that it was becoming too focused on a “female perspective.”

Rolling Stone has conducted interviews with 13 individuals involved in the production of The Idol, uncovering the reasons behind the significant delay. It appears that director Sam Levinson took charge and made the decision to scrap the nearly-completed project, which had an estimated budget of $54-75 million, opting to rewrite and reshoot the entire series.

Following Amy Seimetz’s departure, HBO entrusted Levinson with the directorial responsibilities. However, many sources claim that his involvement resulted in a dilution of the show’s original message. Levinson purportedly intensified the disturbing sexual content and nudity, aiming to match or even surpass the levels depicted in his highly successful series, Euphoria.

According to one production member, their initial understanding was that The Idol would serve as a dark satire of fame and the modern-day celebrity culture. It aimed to explore the exploitative forces that subject talent and stars to scrutiny, delving into how the spotlight can be manipulated in a post-Trump world. However, they lament that the show transformed from a satire into the very thing it was meant to satirize.

The changes made by Levinson, including an emphasis on explicit content, have allegedly compromised the show’s original vision and overarching message.