Viewers have now been left repulsed by an astonishing episode of The Idol, which features a graphic sex scene between the club owner and cult leader, Tedros (Abel Tesfaye) and the pop singer going through a personal crisis, Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp).
Many netizens have said that their perceptions of The Weeknd’s music has completely changed after this and they would struggle to listen to his tracks in the future without getting this episode out of their heads.
The series that is being broadcast on an OTT platform has been much anticipated as it features many superstars, besides Lily-Rose Depp and Abel Tesfaye such as Jennie Kim of Blackpink who are already established international singers and stars in the showbiz world.
Also drawing criticism was the language used in the passionate lovemaking scene. Some viewers found Tesfaye's words, especially some particularly graphic ones, that were delivered in an expressionless manner displaying the complete lack of empathy of his character, as he is playing the villain.
However, viewers are not that satisfied with his acting skills and have said that his performance is mediocre at best, and have said that neither does he ooze enough sex appeal that would be befitting for his character, Tedros.
While Rolling Stone magazine and other critics as well, have decried the show’s overtly sexual undertones, the creators, including Sam Levinson, Abel Tesfaye and Lily-Rose Depp have defended the show’s themes claiming that it’s about the lead character coming to terms with her sexuality and that The Idol was not intended to be a family friendly show.