The show, which already has been described as a “rape fantasy,” faced even more criticism than it already had as soon as the scene aired.
“I will never see the weeknd the same after this #theidol,” tweeted one viewer.
“The Weeknd is such a pervert omg,” tweeted another.
“I really need Abel to get dragged for this nasty scene in The Idol,” commented another. “The Idol would be so good if it wasn’t for the weekend he just ruins it lmao,” one tweet read.
Another stated: “The first 10 minutes of the episode before The Weekend got on screen once again actually had me interested and I thought it had something important to say about the music industry and the relationship between the artist and the industry executives.”
A “nasty” scene from The Idol is “changing the way” people perceive The Weeknd.
The Canadian singer, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, co-created the HBO series alongside Euphoria’s Sam Levinson.
He also appears in the series as Tedros Tedros, an enigmatic club owner and cult leader who worms his way into the life of troubled pop star Jocelyn (Lily-Rose Depp).
However, the show has already attracted controversy, most notably over accusations that it depicts an exploitative and misogynist attitude towards women. One particular scene in episode two, which was broadcast on HBO on Sunday (11 June) and Sky Atlantic on Monday (12 June), has left viewers cringing in embarrassment.
It shows a fully-clothed Tedros ordering a naked and blindfolded Jocelyn to fulfil his sexual fantasies, as he ogles her from afar. At one stage, he says: ”F***in’ stretch that tiny, little p****.”
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