In a new interview, the actress, who plays Jocelyn on the controversial HBO series, talks about her experience working with the musician, the show's co-creator and her co-star.
- Jun 3, 2023
AceShowbiz - Are they awkward off-camera? "The Idol" star Lily-Rose Depp opens up in a new interview about her experience working with The Weeknd, the show's co-creator and her co-star on the controversial HBO series.
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly while discussing the cast's approach to acting, Lily-Rose shared, "I don't think anybody went full method-nobody lost their minds." However, it may be not the case with The Weeknd, who plays cult leader Tedros on the series.
"Well, sometimes when Abel would get-I don't want to reveal too much about where Abel's character goes," she explained, "but when he would be in full Tedros mode sometimes, I would steer clear of him. I'd be like, 'He's in his zone right now.' "
Lily-Rose went on to share the pleasant atmosphere on the set, debunking reports of toxic workplace environment. "For something that does, of course, explore darker themes and has some pretty heavy emotional moments to it and everything, the vibe on set was quite lighthearted," the actress revealed.
"We're all really good friends and we all are similar people and really understand each other," the daughter of Johnny Depp added. "We were having a lot of laughs, listening to a lot of music, dancing around, and that kind of energy is what made the heavier moments easier and possible, because whenever you knew that there was a bigger, emotional scene coming up, you felt like you were surrounded by people that you feel comfortable with, people that have your back, and you feel that in the show."
Following its Cannes premiere, "The Idol" has been facing backlash for its frequent nudity. The series has also been at the center of controversy after a Rolling Stone piece on the set's culture featuring one interviewee compared the script to "sexual torture porn."
The piece additionally detailed a behind-the-scenes "s**tshow" on the set as well as an alleged "major creative overhaul" that took place after Amy Seimetz left the crew.
Lily-Rose herself defended the "bareness" of her character Jocelyn on the show. "Jocelyn is a born and bred performer - and I think that extends to every aspect of her life, not just her professional life," she said at the Cannes Film Festival. "The way that she dresses, for example, is her trying to tell you something all the time... or express herself in some kind of way."
She continued, "I also think that the occasional bareness of the character physically mirrors the bareness that we get to see emotionally in her. I was given the privilege of being really involved in the creation of this character and the ins and outs of how she expresses herself."
"The Idol" premieres on HBO on Sunday, June 4.
