The Idol is familiar with how to make viewers not comfortable. The HBO sequence (helmed by Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye) isn’t worried to sink their enamel in shock-price sleaze, and that unabashedness leaves area for criticism. Recently, the backlash strike a fever pitch right after *that* sex scene in the series’ 2nd episode. The graphic moment, which acted additional as tummy-churning ASMR than 5-star steamy intercourse, brought on really a stir on social media and acquired the notorious label as “the worst sex scene in history” by British GQ. On the other hand, according to The Weeknd, that scene was meant to be unappealing.

On June 13, The Weeknd spoke about the viral scene with GQ. “No. There is nothing at all hot about it,” he explained, introducing the series usually takes inspiration from director Paul Verhoeven. Verhoeven is a winner in the erotic thriller genre, primarily because he understands how to mix vulgarity with satire. That combine seems in 1992’s Fundamental Instinct, a film The Idol references in its first episode.

The Weeknd continued, stating the scene was made to ignite emotion from viewers. It’s harmless to say it certainly did. “However you’re feeling observing that scene, regardless of whether it is pain, or you really feel gross, or you truly feel embarrassed for the characters. It is all these thoughts incorporating up to: [Tedros] is in way around his head, this circumstance is 1 where he is not supposed to be right here.”

The scene, which appeared in the last 10 minutes of the episode, sees Tedros instructing his pop star “partner” Jocelyn (performed by Lily-Rose Depp) to contact herself. He then lays out his darkest fantasies with some filthy discuss, his explicit phrases flat in shipping and delivery and entirely cringy. Watchers have been surprised at his awkwardly long dialogue, and even questioned how Jocelyn located it interesting. The latter appears to be a go-to assumed to have whilst seeing The Idol, as viewers discover it really hard to believe that anyone would slide for Tedros and his creepy antics. That realization is also intentional.

“The intercourse, it’s so gluttonous. Specifically in Episode 2. ‘Gluttony’ is the only word I can consider of [to describe it],” The Weeknd reported. “[Tedros] cannot think he’s there. He comes off like such a loser. All those times are the humanity that you uncover in a psychopath, the chink in his armor.”

That wasn’t the only time the singer-actor read his character for filth in the job interview. When addressing Tedros’ appear, The Weeknd stated the nightclub operator (whose also a total-time cult chief and…vampire?) is supposed to be a “douchebag.” With his character owning no redeemable qualities, seeing him slickly roast Tedros could possibly be calming for individuals who’ve viewed the show.

“He’s despicable, a psychopath — why sugar coat it? There is almost nothing seriously mysterious or hypnotizing about him. And we did that on reason with his glimpse, his outfits, his hair — the guy’s a douchebag,” he reported, nodding toward Tedros’ exceptionally stiff rattail. “You can notify he cares so considerably about what he appears like, and he thinks he looks superior. But then you see these weird moments of him alone — he rehearses, he’s calculated. And he desires to do that, or he has nothing at all, he’s pathetic.”

The HBO sequence flirts with controversy like no other demonstrate has in current a long time. And while its inventive path inspires weekly backlash, The Weeknd’s enjoying the discourse. “I’m loving it. It is unquestionably shaken up the society for sure. We realized we have been producing some thing dark and controversial but correct to what we want to say,” he stated. “I just assume dialogue is balanced, no make any difference what. I’m just pleased that there is dialogue.”