The Idol: 10 Mind-Blowing Moments That Expose HBO's Epic Failures

This article includes references to instances of sexual assault.

Despite its brief run of only five episodes, The Idol was packed with astonishing moments. The controversy surrounding the show commenced prior to its airing, with a substantial amount of drama occurring behind the scenes. Among the most significant rumors was the claim that the initial director Amy Seimetz departed due to The Weeknd, who portrays Tedros, disliking the female perspective that the show presented (as reported by Rolling Stone). The hiring of Sam Levinson enabled him to steer the show in the desired direction.

The series, which originally planned for a six-episode run, faced immediate backlash due to its excessively sexualized scenes.

10 Jocelyn's Backyard Dance Rehearsal

The Idol revolves around Jocelyn, portrayed by Lily-Rose Depp, a troubled pop star struggling to cope with her mother's demise. Given the real-life struggles of numerous celebrities, such as Britney Spears' ongoing battle with her family and career, the show came across as disrespectful. Moreover, the series is filled with outrageous moments that do little to enhance the plot, leaving many to question if HBO made a mistake with The Idol.

During rehearsals for her upcoming music video, Jocelyn finds herself in a peculiar situation. Clad in a daring ensemble, her outfit barely clings on as she gracefully executes the dance routine. This unique choice of attire became a source of amusement within the online community, with countless individuals finding humor in Jocelyn's revealing shorts. Even comedic talent Chloe Fineman, renowned for her appearances on SNL, joined in on the fun by sharing a playful parody on her Instagram. In an attempt to replicate Jocelyn's minuscule top, Fineman ingeniously wore her bra in reverse.

9 Jocelyn's Dance For Andrew

The peculiar dance performances didn't stop there. In the ultimate episode of The Idol, Jocelyn presents one of her latest songs to Andrew, a representative for Live Nation. Despite the significant age difference between them, it was quite uncomfortable to witness Jocelyn rolling around on the floor in an extremely short dress, occasionally revealing her underwear. Jocelyn proceeded to flail on the ground, slapping her rear and simulating choking herself while singing the lyrics, "Am I playing alright now, daddy?" to Andrew. At times, her routine resembled something from The Exorcist, and the oddest part was that Andrew thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.

8 Jocelyn's Leaked Photo

The season commenced with a typical scandal that is all too familiar in Hollywood: an explicit photo of Jocelyn was leaked online, and her team attempted to conceal it from her until they could no longer keep it under wraps. However, unlike the usual demeaning and traumatic experiences faced by real-life celebrities, which often result in sexist condemnation, The Idol chose not to handle this situation with the appropriate gravity or sensitivity. In fact, Jocelyn even contemplated using the photo as her album cover at one point.

7 Tedros Kisses Leia & She's Visibly Uncomfortable

Throughout The Idol, Jocelyn's assistant and best friend, Leia, is understandably wary of Tedros. He treats her poorly throughout the series, regularly displaying a sense of superiority towards her. In one particular scene, Tedros enters the house and initiates a forceful kiss with Leia, causing her immense discomfort and unease. This unnecessary and unprovoked display of affection serves little purpose in advancing The Idol's storyline and only succeeds in further amplifying the unsettling nature of both the show and The Weeknd's character.

6 Tedros Tortures Xander With A Shock Collar

The scene in The Idol where Tedros confronts Xander for betraying Jocelyn is deeply unsettling. Xander defends himself by revealing that Jocelyn had explicitly requested him to keep her abusive mother a secret. He explains that her mother had forced him to sign a contract promising to never sing again. However, Jocelyn vehemently denies these claims. In a shocking act of retribution, Tedros subjects Xander to the torment of a shock collar, mercilessly electrocuting him. This distressing scene leaves us questioning the intentions of the show's writers, as it appears to contribute nothing to the overall plot and only strengthens the argument that The Idol is essentially a form of torture porn.

5 Jocelyn & Tedros' Recording Studio Sex Scene

4 Jocelyn's Hospital Bracelet Photoshoot

One of the most talked-about moments from The Idol occurred in the first episode when Tedros joins Jocelyn in her home studio to remix her latest single, aiming to give it a more sensual and mature vibe. However, the way the scene unfolds, with Tedros using a cold glass to rub all over Jocelyn's body and tightly wrapping fabric from her robe around her face while choking her, is unsettling to watch. Unfortunately, the intended message behind this scene remains unclear, ultimately becoming fodder for internet jokes.

Lily-Rose Depp is featured in The Idol.

The opening scene of The Idol showcases Jocelyn during a photoshoot for her new album. She is seen sitting almost naked, covered only by a red robe, and wearing a hospital bracelet. While some characters express concerns regarding the objectification and glamorization of mental illness, others support Jocelyn's decision to feature the bracelet in the photos. Although the show may have aimed to initiate a conversation about society's exploitation of mental illness, the intended message fails to come across effectively. Instead, The Idol appears to be ridiculing celebrities who have faced mental health challenges.

3 Jocelyn Admits She Likes That Tedros Is "Rapey"

2 The Idol's Twist Ending

The Idol is filled with absurd and offensive scenes, but this particular scene is undoubtedly one of the most appalling. While comfortably seated on Jocelyn's couch, Leia expresses her concerns about Tedros, referring to him as "rapey." While such an accusation should be taken seriously by most individuals, Jocelyn dismisses it with laughter and even confesses to being attracted to that aspect of his personality. The fact that the protagonist admits to being drawn to a man who exhibits predatory behavior is undeniably one of the most troubling and inexplicable moments ever televised.

The twist ending of The Idol took everyone by surprise, but not in a good way. It left viewers scratching their heads because it lacked any coherence. In the final moments of the show, Tedros stumbles upon the brush Jocelyn claimed her mother used to harm her. However, upon closer inspection, he discovers that the brush is completely brand new. This revelation shatters Jocelyn's credibility, suggesting that she fabricated the entire story of abuse and that her mother was never actually violent towards her. The decision of the creators to invent a narrative centered around childhood abuse, only to treat it as a mere gimmick, remains baffling and devoid of any justification.

1 The False Rape Allegation

The final episode of The Idol featured the most offensive and distressing moments, primarily involving an accusation of rape against Jocelyn's ex-boyfriend by a member of Tedros' cult. Shockingly, it was revealed that Tedros had fabricated the allegations out of spite because Jocelyn had been intimate with her ex. This not only highlights the devastating impact of false rape accusations on people's lives, but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes that women often falsely accuse men of rape for personal gain. Throughout season 1, The Idol had its fair share of controversial moments, but the storyline in the finale takes the prize for being the most disturbing.

Sources: Rolling Stone, @chloeiscrazy/Instagram