In HBOs controversial new series The Idol, Lily-Rose Depp plays a young pop phenom who falls for a self-help guru and modern day cult leader named Tedros (played by Abel The Weeknd Tesfaye). Depp recently told Entertainment Weekly that no one in The Idol cast went full Method [actor], but that doesnt mean some of them didnt go at least half. Or that what it sounds like, at least.
I dont think anybody went full method nobody lost their minds, Depp said. Well, sometimes when Abel would get I dont want to reveal too much about where Abels character goes, but when he would be in full Tedros mode sometimes, I would steer clear of him. Id be like, Hes in his zone right now.'
The Weeknd said to W magazinelast month that inhabiting Tedros headspace during the making of The Idol had real-world consequences on his singing. Last September, he had to cut short a concertin Los Angeles because he lost his voice.
I had to take off the Weeknd outfit, put on Tedross wig, shoot with Jocelyn, then go back to being the Weeknd, the singer said. It was tough to go from one head to another. Then, after the concert, I lost my voice. No voice came out at all. Thats never happened before.
My theory is that I forgot how to sing because I was playing Tedros, a character who doesnt know how to sing, he added. I may be looking too deeply into this, but it was terrifying. As the Weeknd, Ive never skipped a concert. Ive performed with the flu. Ill die on that stage. But there was something very complicated going on with my mind at that moment.
While The Idol clearly goes to some dark places, Depp stressed to Entertainment Weekly that the vibe on set was quite lighthearted, adding, Were all really good friends and we all are similar people and really understand each other. 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.
The Idol world premiered its first two episodes at the Cannes Film Festival. While the series earned a five-minute standing ovation, it also ignited controversy for its graphic nudity and sex scenes.
It was the first time that I had watched it with a [big] audience, Lily-Rosetold ET Canadaabout the Cannes premiere. But it was incredible. It felt like such a beautiful celebration and a culmination of everything that weve been through together, and just kind of a beautiful process that was in the show, and creating this little family together, and it just felt really, really nice.
The Idol debuts June 4 on HBO.