The Weeknd Says He's 'Proud' ofThe Idolbut Admits It 'Could Have Been Told in a Different Way'

Mar. 15, 2025

“I’m really proud of it — we all are,” said the musician, 34, who wrote and executive produced the series alongsideEuphoriacreatorSam Levinson, in addition to starring on the show. “We had a great cast and great crew. I made some really great friends, and I love seeing everybody thriving.”

(L-R) The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp on The Idol.Eddy Chen/HBO

Eddy Chen/HBO

In April 2022, HBO shared that the series was being reworked, replacing former director Amy Seimetz with Levinson — even though areported80 percent had already been filmed, totaling $54 to $75 million in expenses. The following year,Rolling Stonereported that 13 unnamed members of the show’s cast and crew alleged that Levinson’s script changes included “disturbing sexual and physically violent scenes between Depp and Tesfaye’s characters,” with one crew member calling it a “rape fantasy.”

The Weekend x Variety Cover Story Credit: Brian Ziff for Variety https://app.asana.com/0/1202556224425358/12091271.Brian Ziff for Variety

Brian Ziff for Variety

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“The creators and producers ofThe Idolhave been working hard to create one of HBO’s most exciting and provocative original programs,“HBO wrote in a statementto PEOPLE in response to the accusations at the time.

Looking back on the experience, The Weeknd toldVariety: “It’s unfortunate that, you know, it wasn’t met with the warmest [response], but we knew what we were making — something provocative and dark.”

“Maybe it could have been told in a different way, maybe not,” the star admitted to the outlet. “It was bigger than I expected. Not everything you put out is going to connect, and that’s fine.”

Despite the intense backlash to the series — which wascanceled in August 2023 after only one season— The Weeknd revealed toVarietythat the criticism didn’t “feel personal.”

WithThe Idolin the rearview, The Weeknd has turned his focus to his latest creative projects:Hurry Up Tomorrow, a new album out Jan. 24; a one-night show the following day; and a forthcoming self-written suspense-thriller film in which he stars oppositeWednesdayactressJenna OrtegaandSaltburnleadBarry Keoghan.

“I’m not expecting everybody to loveHurry Up Tomorroweither,” The Weeknd toldVariety. “Some people might hate it, but that’s not why I’m doing this. I’m doing it because I’m an artist — it’s how I feel, and this is what I want to say.”

The Idolcan be streamed in full on Max.

source: people.com