The Weeknd and Lily-Rose Depp.Photo: Alexander Tamargo/WireImage, Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye,Lily-Rose Deppand HBO are speaking out amid reports of creative clashes and alleged toxicity on the set of upcoming seriesThe Idol.
“The creators and producers ofThe Idolhave been working hard to create one of HBO’s most exciting and provocative original programs,” the statement read. “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.”
The statement continued, “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. We look forward to sharingThe Idolwith audiences soon.”
Lily-Rose Depp and The Weeknd.HBO
The creative vision of the upcoming music-industry drama — which follows a rising pop star (Depp) who falls into a relationship with a self-help guru and nightclub owner (The Weeknd) — was overhauled in April with creatorSam Levinsonstepping in as a director.
Levinson, 38, is best known for pushing the boundary with his creative works, including on HBO’s Emmy Award-winning hit,Euphoria.
Sam Levinson.Leon Bennett/Getty
Depp, 23, praised Levinson’s new direction for the series and his collaborative nature in a statement to PEOPLE.
“Sam is, for so many reasons, the best director I have ever worked with,” she said. “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,” she continued. “He hires people whose work he esteems and has always created an environment in which I felt seen, heard, and appreciated.”
The Idol.HBO
On Instagram, The Weeknd, 33, alsoalluded to the reported drama, writing, “@rollingstone did we upset you ?” alongside a never-before-seen clip fromThe Idol, which poked fun at the music publication.
In the video, Depp and The Weeknd’s characters are dismayed when a manager (Dan Levy) suggests the pop star appear on the cover ofRolling Stone, calling the publication “irrelevant” and “past its prime.”
Earlier on Wednesday, 13 unnamed members of the show’s cast and crew opened up toRolling Stoneaboutthe alleged drastic story changesthat occurred after Levinson replaced former director Amy Seimetz.
“It was like any rape fantasy that any toxic man would have in the show — and then the woman comes back for more because it makes her music better,” one crew member told the publication of of Levinson’s vision for the series.
According to the publication, the new scripts contained “disturbing sexual and physically violent scenes between Depp and Tesfaye’s characters.”
PEOPLE has reached out to representatives for Levinson.
Lily-Rose Depp in The Idol.HBO
In April, HBO announced a total reset forThe Idol, which was initially ordered as a six-episode series.
“The Idol’s creative team continues to build, refine, and evolve their vision for the show and they have aligned on a new creative direction,” a spokeswoman for HBO toldDeadline.
“The production will be adjusting its cast and crew accordingly to best serve this new approach to the series,” the spokesperson continued. “We look forward to sharing more information soon.”
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The Idolis set to premiere in 2023 on HBO.
source: people.com
