"Really Needed To Sit The F—k Down": The Weeknd Emotionally Reflects On Backlash To Euphoria Creator's Drama With 19% RT Score
The article contains discussions of mental health.
After disappointing critics with The Idol, The Weeknd is ready to reflect on where the show went so wrong. Widely known as a singer, songwriter, and actor, The Weeknd (also known as Abel Makkonen Tesfaye) was the creator, executive producer, and star of the controversial 2023 drama. Among others, he worked alongside actor Lily-Rose Depp (Nosferatu) and Euphoria creator Sam Levinson to develop the show. Unfortunately, The Idol suffered from extremely negative reviews, which ultimately led to HBO's decision not to renew the show for season 2.
In an interview with Variety, the Weeknd explained how overwhelmed he was during the production. Having faced "self-imposed pressure" involved with numerous flights, concerts, and production challenges, he realized that he needed to "sit the f—k down... face it, learn something new and start again." He was proud of The Idol's cast, but its scale was so significant that it overwhelmed him. After experiencing "kind of a mental breakdown", he finally began to stop and reconsider numerous elements of his life.
What The Weeknd's Personal Issues Meant For The Idol
It Led To An Extremely Difficult Production
The Idol was a serious failure for HBO since it was a dark production and earned extreme criticism for its overly provocative storylines and lack of general restraint. This led to a 19% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes. Audiences were more favorable, but it earned a 41% Popcornmeter score, which is not enough to save it from a Rotten designation. The backlash was prevalent enough that The Idol season 2 was never produced.
The Idol's average review scores were significantly better, as the average critic granted it a 4.25 out of 10 rating.
In his interview, the singer described walking on stage before a massive crowd at SoFi Stadium, where he was unable to perform. His voice cracked, and he lost his ability to sing more than a few low notes. After attempting vocal exercises, he stopped the concert and eventually rescheduled it. The event prompted The Weeknd to re-evaluate his life to ensure that it would never happen again. Since then, The Weeknd hasn't released any movies or shows in the last two years, but his next project will be Hurry Up Tomorrow, starring alongside Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan. The thriller will be released on May 25.
Our Take On The Idol's Disappointing Results
It Was Good For The Weeknd & Bad For HBO
The Weeknd describes the Soi-Fi failure as an "important, pinnacle moment" in his life. After visiting a doctor and realizing that it was a mental issue, he took the time to stop and consider his values. Rather than working tirelessly on concerts, an album, family concerns, a TV show, flights, and numerous other pressures, it allowed him to avoid overwhelming himself. He is now prepared to release his newest album, "Hurry Up Tomorrow", which was influenced by his So-Fi experience. While HBO was certainly disappointed by The Idol's ending, it certainly changed the Weeknd's life forever.
"Hurry Up Tomorrow" will be released on January 24.
Source: Variety
The Idol is a drama series created by Sam Levinson, Abel Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim. The show stars Lily-Rose Depp and Abel Tesfaye, following the turbulent relationship between an aspiring pop idol and a self-help guru and cult leader. With its exploration of fame and the music industry, the series delves into themes of power and manipulation.
- Main Genre
- Drama
- Creator(s)
- Reza Fahim, Sam Levinson, The Weeknd
- Seasons
- 1
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