Lily-Rose Depp says the nudity on The Idol is really intentional and she was never uncomfortable stripping down on set to film the series numerous sex scenes. The HBO series has ignited controversy over the last four weeks due to its graphic content and frequent nudity. Depp is often at the center of the shows most risque scenes as the shows lead character, a pop star named Jocelyn who falls under the control of a sinister nightclub owner (Abel The Weeknd Tesfaye).
For me, the whole character and the show and her arc was really a collaboration through and through, Depp recently told Vogue Australia. We know that were making something provocative and we are not shying away from that. Thats something I knew I was setting out to do from the beginning. I was never interested in making something puritanical. Its okay if this show isnt for everyone and thats fine I think all the best art is [polarizing].
Ive never felt more respected and more safe on a set, honestly, Depp added. And I think the trust that we all built with each other, you and I, and Sam and I, and Abel and I, that can only make for a really safe-feeling set. So when it comes to the nudity and the risque nature of the role, that to me was really intentional. That was really important to me and something that I was excited about doing. Im not scared of it. I think we live in a highly sexualized world. I think thats an interesting thing to explore.
While The Idol has generated non-stop controversy due to its graphic scenes, its creators have continued to stress that pushing buttons is intentional. The shows second episode included a highly uncomfortable sex scene between Depp and Tesfaye that he told GQwas intended to make viewers skin crawl. In the scene, Jocelyn strips for Tesfayes character on her bed as hefires off sexually graphic commands.
Theres nothing sexy about it, Tesfaye said. However youre feeling watching that scene, whether its discomfort, or you feel gross, or you feel embarrassed for the characters. Its all those emotions adding up to: this guy is in way over his head, this situation is one where he is not supposed to be here.
The sex, its so gluttonous, he continued. Especially in Episode 2. Gluttony is the only word I can think of [to describe it]. [Tedros] cant believe hes there. He comes off like such a loser. Those moments are the humanity that you find in a psychopath, the chink in his armor.
The Idol airs its season finale on July 2 at 9pm ET on HBO. The series also streams on Max.