Following HBO’s decision to cancel the series ‘The Idol’ after its first season finale, a range of opinions arose from both audiences and critics. Among these discussions, Grimes took to Twitter/X to express her thoughts on the show and Lily-Rose Depp‘s acting in it:
“Call me crazy, but I really loved ‘The Idol.’ I feel like they didn’t have time to finish it, but it reminded me of ‘Perfect Blue’ meets ‘Basic Instinct’ kinda? I wish they could have another season to really get into the Machiavellian femme fatale arc with Depp.”
Delving into some elements of the show, she wrote:
“When I saw ‘Perfect Blue,’ my main thought was it would have been better if she was the villain. I feel like ‘The Idol’ was gonna go there, but it felt like they didn’t have enough time to get there. The music is also pretty good in it, honestly – I wasn’t expecting that.”
The singer compared ‘The Idol’ to an anime and went on:
“I liked the over-the-top dialogue – it felt like an homage to a lot of things I miss; it also reminded me of anime the way Brit Marling’s ‘The OA’ feels like irk anime. If you imagine it animated, it really works – tho Depp is totally magnetic on screen, I wouldn’t trade the casting.”
She also praised the performances:
“Nina McNeely’s choreography is also just astoundingly good, especially Depp’s solo near the end of the season. Jennie did such a good job with those dance sequences, too – it was mimicking something more basic but actually really elevated and gorgeous.”
Sharing her final thoughts about the series, Grimes added:
“I wanted so much more of the red-haired journalist arc. IDK, it had its flaws, but I am so tired of everything being perfect. I loved the messiness and, the humanity, and the self-indulgence. You could tell everyone was loving filming it. I ride for ‘The Idol,’ haha IDK.”
Depp received backlash for her role as Jocelyn in the HBO show due to the nudity and sex scenes. But she defended her character during a press conference at the Cannes Film Festival by saying:
“I think that something about Jocelyn is just that she’s a born and bred performer. I think that extends to every aspect of her life, not just her professional life.”
Talking about the character’s portrayal, she continued:
“I think that the way that she dresses, for example, is her trying to tell you something all the time or say something to the people that she’s around, or express herself in some kind of way. And I also think that the occasional bareness of the character physically mirrors the bareness that we get to see emotionally in her.”
‘The Idol’ was also criticized for its storyline and acting on different platforms. In fact, The Guardian described the show in one of its articles as ‘one of the worst programs ever made.’
Despite the backlash, actress Da’Vine Joy Randolph told Variety that they were expecting a second season. But two weeks after the final episode, an HBO spokesperson told People:
“‘The Idol’ was one of HBO’s most provocative original programs, and we’re pleased by the strong audience response. After much thought and consideration, HBO, as well as the creators and producers, have decided not to move forward with a second season. We’re grateful to the creators, cast, and crew for their incredible work.”
You can read Grimes’ tweets about the show below.
When I saw perfect blue my main thought was it would have been better if she was the villain. I feel like the idol was gonna go there but it felt like they didn’t have enough time to get there. The music is also p good in it honestly – I wasn’t expecting that.
— 𝖦𝗋𝗂𝗆𝖾𝗌 ⏳ (@Grimezsz) August 29, 2023
Nina mcneelys choreo is also just astoundingly good especially depps solo near the end of the season. Jennie did suchhh a good job w those dance sequences too- it was mimicking something more basic but actually rly elevated and gorgeous.
— 𝖦𝗋𝗂𝗆𝖾𝗌 ⏳ (@Grimezsz) August 29, 2023
I wanted so much more of the red hair journalist arc. Idk, it had it flaws but I am so tired of everything being perfect. I loved the messiness and the humanity and the self indulgence. U could tell everyone was loving filming it. I ride for the idol haha idk
— 𝖦𝗋𝗂𝗆𝖾𝗌 ⏳ (@Grimezsz) August 29, 2023
