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HBO<\/a>\u2019s new drama series The Idol <\/i>has been making headlines for its controversial sex scenes, star-studded cast and the inspiration behind its plot. The show follows Lily-Rose Depp<\/b><\/a>\u2019s character, an up-and-coming pop star named Jocelyn, who meets self-help guru and cult leader Tedros (The Weeknd<\/b><\/a>). Some viewers have speculated whether the storyline was based on real-life music artists, such as Britney Spears<\/a>, Madonna<\/a><\/b> and even Selena Gomez<\/a>.<\/b> So, is The Idol <\/i>based on a true story?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While attending the May 2023 Cannes Film Festival, series cocreator and Euphoria<\/i><\/a> creator Sam Levinson<\/b> spoke with Entertainment Weekly <\/i><\/a>about the rumors that the show was inspired by the \u201cTill the World Ends\u201d artist.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cLook, I was a kid of the \u201990s, and [Britney is] one of the greatest pop stars of all time,\u201d Sam told the outlet before adding, \u201cAnd, no, we\u2019re not trying to tell a story about any particular pop star. I think we\u2019re looking more at how the world perceives pop stars, and the pressure that it puts on that individual. It\u2019s a lot of pressure to constantly have to be on, and to have to be what everyone wishes you to be. I also think that it\u2019s a lonely life.\u201d<\/p>\n Though episode 1 of the show includes a Britney reference, Sam insisted that the point was \u201cmore of a publicist [character\u2019s] spinning and trying to draw connections and correlations so that the press will write about it kindly.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Nevertheless, a teaser trailer for the series featured a remix of Britney\u2019s hit single \u201cGimme More.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After Sam confirmed that The Idol <\/i>is not based on Britney, Lily explained to the same outlet at Cannes that the show is \u201cnot telling anybody else\u2019s story.\u201d However, she applauded all of the \u201cincredible pop stars of our day\u201d after she got into the character of the \u201cpsyche of somebody who lives a lifestyle that [she] personally [hasn\u2019t] lived.\u201d<\/p>\n Since the cast and crew explained that their show was not influenced by a specific pop star, fans are still curious what the producers were inspired by when they created the show.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In May 2023, The Weeknd explained the approach that he and the crew took while developing The Idol<\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe Initially wanted to make a dark, twisted fairy tale with the music industry and everything I know about it and heighten it and take inspirations from films that both me and Sam love \u2014 it was really our love for music,\u201d the \u201cBlinding Lights\u201d artist said, according to Deadline<\/a>. \u201cWhen I found out how much Sam is involved in the music in Euphoria<\/i> and getting to work with him on the music on the show, that\u2019s when it unlocked it for us. Can we create our own pop star? Can we create somebody who is trying to find themselves, using my experiences, using his experiences, using Lily\u2019s experiences on creating something special, daring and exciting and fun that will make people laugh, piss some people off?\u201d<\/p>\n Before the series premiered on HBO on June 4, 2023, The Idol <\/i>was already stirring up backlash among viewers for its widely provocative and sexually explicit scenes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One particular scene that sparked controversy is when The Weeknd\u2019s character tells Lily\u2019s character to \u201cstretch that tiny little p\u2014sy\u201d and has her blindfolded to cater to the male gaze.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWas \u2018The Idol\u2019 Inspired by Britney Spears?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Was \u2018The Idol\u2019 Inspired by Madonna?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
What Was the Inspiration Behind \u2018The Idol\u2019 TV Series?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
Why Did \u2018The Idol\u2019 Face Backlash?\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n